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Start at the riverside walking exit of the Victoria Park car park beside Selkirk Leisure Centre, reached from Buccleuch Road. Join the path and turn right to walk downstream, with the Ettrick Water on your left.
Continue past the first footbridge to the next bridge, which crosses by a wooded island. Take the ramped approach and cross both spans. Turn left along the opposite bank, through the riverside woodland and the gate bearing a Rotary wheel. Cross back at Bannerfield footbridge and turn right to return beside the river to the car park. This is the shorter circuit between the two bridges; it does not include the extra downstream café detour or Selkirk road bridge.
Allow around an hour with time to watch the river. Most of the route has firm paths, but some sections narrow and bridge approaches slope. Leaves, frost and wet boards can be slippery. Keep children and dogs away from the river edge, and turn back if floodwater covers the path.
Parking is free. The leisure centre has toilets during its opening hours, and Victoria Park has seats and a play area. The route follows the council’s Ettrick Water North map, checked against current walking paths and access notices on 3 October 2026.
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A few things to know before you make plans.
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