The Cheviot, Northumberland. 14th April 2013

The walk into The Cheviot. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We woke to a blustery day and over breakfast discussed the options for the day's adventures. We decided against climbing or bouldering and settled for a days walking. The hill of choice being The Cheviot, Northumberlands highest hill.

An adder we stumbled across on the track as we walked in. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The day started with a quick visit to Wooler to pick up a map and then we drove the very short distance into Harthope Vally where we parked the car by Harthope Burn (NT955226). It was busy as there was a fell running event on. We quickly changed, packed the rucksack and started our days wanderings.

A female and male frog on the track as we walked in. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The foot path is well way marked and runs along the northern side of Harthope Burn in a south westerly direction to Scotsmans Knowe (NT905190). The walking is straight forward and the ascent is gentle but today the water levels in the burn were high with the heavy rain and snow melt. Large sections of the path were under water causing us to make some quite long detours.

The way markers. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

 

From Scotsmans Knowe the foot path changes to a north westerly direction and steepens a little as you approach Cairn Hill (NT903195). This hill is also the junction to where the Pennine Way detours to the summit of The Cheviot. Again the foot path changes direction this time to north easterly as it ascends gently towards the summit of The Cheviot.

The summit trig point of The Cheviot. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Arriving at the summit of the The Cheviot the way was blocked by all the melting snow and we thought that we might not make it to the actual summit trig point. But some clever route finding and a long detour we finally managed to attain the summit trig point of The Cheviot (NT909205).

Hedgehope Hill from The Cheviot. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Our descent route was simply to follow the path in north easterly direction to Scald Hill (NT928218). The walking is gentle and the views easy on the eye. Once we were at the summit of Scald Hill we continued for a short distance to a fork in the path (NT933222). Here the path changes direction to easterly and gentle descends through grouse butts back to the road that we used to walk in on.

Housey Crags & Langlee Crags from The Cheviot. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Although when we started this walk the weather was grim and we considered returning to the car early, I'm glad that we stuck with it and finished it. The Cheviot may not be as grand as the mountains of Scotland but it does offer commanding views across the beautiful landscape of Northumberland. 

Housey Crags. 14/04/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)