Craik Forest

Overview

Craik forest offers the perfect escape for those who want to get away from it all.

Nestling in the heart of the southern uplands, Craik forest is an excellent location for those who want to escape the rigours of everyday life and enjoy some walking, biking and wildlife watching.

There are a number of walks offering panoramic vistas, some of which are inter-linked, starting from Craik car park including:

- Burnside Trail (0.25 miles, grade: all-abilities)
- Policy Wood Trail (0.75 miles, grade: easy)
- Green Ride Trail (1 miles, grade: easy)
- Aithouse Burn Trail (2.75 miles, grade: moderate)
- Drove Road Trail (6.25 miles, grade: moderate)
- Crib Law Trail (2.75 miles, grade: demanding)

The Aithouse Burn trail is particularly stunning at any time of year and includes a spur trail which goes off to the Wolfcleuch waterfall. There is also an all-abilities path along the Borthwick water, with information panels on the salmon spawning, bats and local Roman history.

In addition to walking trails, Craik also contains two dedicated mountain bike routes:

- Crib Law Trail (11 miles, grade: red-difficult)
- Wolfcleuch Loop (7 miles, grade: blue-moderate)

The location of this forest also makes it perfect for keen naturalists. To this end, Forestry Commission Scotland has built a wildlife hide in the forest (on the Policy Wood Trail) which allows the fortunate to view elusive red squirrels and a variety of woodland birds.