Time – allow 1 hour
Distance – 4 km/2.5 miles

A fine walk from Carlops up to Harbour Craig, the dramatic rock up beyond Kitleyknowe where local 17th Century covenanters are said to have taken refuge – some markings on the rocks apparently made by covenanters can be seen. Mostly easy going with sections of good path but other sections over farmland with no obvious path but level terrain. The section at Harbour Craig where the route descends to the bottom of the gorge is very steep – turn back and retrace your steps if you are unsure about this. Can be combined with walk A2 or A10 to make a longer route.

Route: Start/finish – Carlops

Park in the car park opposite the Carlops Village centre and under the rock. At the exit to the car park turn left towards West Linton then immediately left into the field and walk round behind the stone barn – follow the cinder path across the field and over the footbridge [1] then ahead up the road towards Kitleyknowe.

At the top of the lane, the road turns 90 degrees right up a hill [2]. Follow the road up (signposted ‘Harlawmuir or South Mains’) and past the houses at Kitleyknowe, then straight ahead, with the road becoming a farm track. 

Just before the second gate [3] and before the track crosses Back Burn, turn left off the track and walk round the edge of the field – the route is usually obvious, having been well worn by tractors.

You will reach a gate [4] on your right after 200m. Pass through it, descend, cross the burn and up the other side to walk along the top of the gorge through which the burn flows, heading north east, with the gorge to your left and Auchencorth Moss to your right.

Continue for a few hundred metres until you reach Harbour Craig [B], the large rocky outcrop that stands at the point where the gorge splits in two.

Scramble down the slope to view Harbour Craig from below (pictured). This section is very steep, so take care. 

Once in the steep-sided and narrow gorge, follow the burn back upstream, returning to the gate and retracing your steps back to the farm track and back to Carlops, or follow the route of walk A2 or A10 to make a longer walk.