Wednesday 22 March 2017

Davidson's Linn from Breamish Valley - Northumberland 21 March 2017

Davidson's Linn from Breamish Valley and Return
Northumberland
Distance 23.4km Climb 650m
Tuesday 21 March 2017


I parked the car on the side of the road near Hartside (242m) and walked west passed the farm. A very cold, strong wind was blowing from the west, although the sky was bright and sunny. The forecast was for showers turning to snow on high ground. 


The cold strong wind was directly in my face as I walked down the road towards Linhope (230m). I was glad of my new woolly hat and gloves.  The cold air made my teeth and gums sore.


The air was sheltered, still and warm at the bottom of the bank at Linhope. I followed the footpath signs left, south as I moved round west over a grass path as it climbs by some private land. The grass footpath joins a track as it continues to climb up through an open gate to follow the edge of the wood north west.


Following a footpath sign left, north west from the track up a grassy climb, I was walking to the north of Ritto Hill. I was again back in the full force of the strong cold wind as I headed west. To my front right, north west I could see Great Staindrop. Follow link to my walk in the opposite direction to this just last week.


The ground was very wet in places, there was still small patches of snow and ice, I fought the wind to reach Rig Cairn (460m). I could not hear any birds due to the high wind.


Dropping down from Rig Cairn crossing the open ground I was forcing my way against the wind. There was no rest, which was a shame as the views were clear and it would have been nice to stop and have a look about.

There was a little relief as I dropped into the small lee of the hill before the next climb. Crossing a style I followed the footpath round the north side of High Cantle.

Through a gate then a step descent, south west, to cross a fence, all the way down I felt the wind was trying to push me back up the hill. Finally at the bottom I crossed a field to join a bridleway Salter's Road (340m). It was nice and sheltered here.


Turning right on Salter's Road I headed north west for a short while as I followed the path over a footbridge over the River Breamish.

Follow the River Breamish west for a few hundred meters, Salter's Road turns south westerly as it climbs from the River along a fence line. After a steep climb, with the wind once again in my face, the path levels as it passes through a couple of gates then turn to climb steeply again.

After crossing a couple of streams it levels to head towards a forest.


It was cold and snow had formed on the other side of the gate posts (468m). Continuing west I was looking forward to finding some shelter from the cold wind, that I had had to push myself against nearly all of the way.


On finally reaching the shelter of the trees I had to take care not to take the wrong track. A forest track comes in from the left, as Salter's Road bends a little right, a little further on a forest track heads straight on, Salter's Road is marked with a big boulder that leads down through trees on the left. It was quiet and peaceful along here, and although cold I was out of the wind.


The forest opens a little and a footpath drops down to the left to follow Clay Burn. I spotted a couple of white patches moving along the tree line. As usual I took a few photos but this was the best. I am not sure if I spooked them as I moved along the track as they just turned and walked off into the trees without any sigh of alarm.


Continuing along Salter's Road, near an area of felled trees, I spotted this little chap who was quite happy to stay and have his photo taken. Looking it up when I got home it appears to have been a Red Crossbill. I again in my excitement took too many blurred photos.


After a gentle climb the road bends almost 90 degrees heading north west. Opening up to my left, after a few meters I could see Davidson's Linn below me. From here it did not look that impressive however closer too it does. I walked down the path over the footbridge and walked along the burn to have a closer look at the waterfall (400m).


After a few photos I walked back to the bridge to cross over and dropped down the side to the bottom of the falls, where it was warm and sheltered and I had my sandwiches.


It was lovely and warm a proper sun trap. The rocks, waterfalls and deep pools were interesting. None of my photos have done it justice. I could have stayed there longer, but as always time was moving on.


I left Davidson's Linn and moved south, keeping the Burn to my right.


Following the Burn I reached a fence where I was looking south towards Uswayford. Looking at my map and doing a little time appreciation I was deciding where I would go next. As I was thinking and planning a few heavy flurries of snow came and made up my mind. I could see to the west large, heavy dark clouds were forming. I knew the weather forecast was for showers turning to snow on high ground, so rather than be too ambitious I decided to return to Salter's Road.


Turning north I walked along a footpath into the forest until I reached Salter's Road. Snow was falling, I was thinking I had made the right decision.


Turning right I continued along Salter's Road to the boulder and turned right again. You can see the sun was bright again now and the snow had turned into nothing.


Turning left following the Road I was climbing back towards the gate when another heavy bout of snow blew horizontal to the ground. Fortunately the wind was now at my back, again this soon stopped.


Reaching the gate I was now in open country and although the strong wind was now mainly behind me. It would change direction and strength knocking me all over.

Moving down Salter's Road towards the River Breamish I could see Coldlaw Cairn to my left, dropping down to Shielcleugh Edge and High Cantle. Where I had walked last week.

Follow link to a previous walk down this part of Salter's Road.


Today I would continue along Salter's Road.


On reaching the River Breamish I continued south east along the bridleway, towards High Bleakhope.



It was lovely and warm along The River Breamish, the snow had not come to anything. Passing through High Bleakhope I continued south east towards Low Bleakhope (300m), disturbing a pair of Oystercatchers. Who took to the air flying in large circles around the area, with their distinctive cries and black and white V.

At Low Bleakhope I could turn left, north east towards Alnhammoor, or continue south east on Salter's Road. I choose Salter's Road.


As I was climbing steady from Low Bleakhope along Salter's Road the sky turned dark and another heavy flurry of snow fell. As before this did not last long and the sun was soon out, although still very cold.


At the top (423m) the path soon drops.


Just before Little Dod, there is a fence not shown on my map. I took the footpath (370m) north east towards Alnhammoor.


In places it was wet and boggy. Turning to a wide grass path as it drops down towards Alnhammoor.


Eventually it drops down to a narrow footbridge over a stream before climbing up to a gate. The path contours the edge of the slope before joining a track next to the farm.


At the bottom of the bank I turned left and took the footpath in front of the farm.


Turning right at the road, that drops down to cross the River Breamish.


Crossing the River Breamish I continued to follow the road left, north as it turns right, east and climbs a steep bank. As the road levels I could see across to Dunmoor Hill behind Hartside with Cunyan Crags to the right.


A short walk following the road east then north brought me back to my car. A very cold blowy days walk, fortunately the snow had not yet appeared. I had covered 23.4km with 650m climb.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Hartside to Hedgehope Hill via Threestoneburn Wood - Northumberland 13 March 2017

Hartside to Hedgehope Hill via Threestoneburn Wood and return
Northumberland
Distance 21.5km Climb 876m
Monday 13 March 2017


I left the car on the side of the road near Hartside and walked east down the road. Walking down the road it was warm and a gentle breeze was on my back. The road drops down to Greensidehill (200m), where just passed the house a footpath sign is on the left. 



Crossing the style on the left, I headed north towards the far east side of Dunmoor Hill at the very bottom of Cunyan Crags.


I knew from previous walks in the area that a lot of the wood was being harvested in Threestoneburn Wood. Reaching the fence on the south east corner of Threestoneburn Wood I could see just how much of the wood had been cleared.


I continued north over the style following a line of what was shown on my map as a footpath.


This joined a forest track. The track in places had a large number of deer tracks. I could hear loads of bird activity, lapwings were crying, flying and diving. Grouse were bak bak bak..ing.


Then a trio of geese flew around me, honking. I think they were Bean Geese.




The top of Hedgehope Hill came into view to my west.


At the top of the track a new fence has been built, crossing a style I headed down towards the footbridge to the left, west of Threestoneburn House.


Over the footbridge I headed towards a stone circle. This is mentioned in detail as a Bronze Age stone circle in one of the walks on the Cheviot Walks website.



From the stones I headed back to the track and walked north west on the track as it climbs through the wood.


Reaching the northern edge of Threestoneburn Wood I turned west to follow along the wood line. After a few meters I saw a roe deer, I was down wind and it had not seen me. Quietly I stood still, fascinated. I was trying to remove my camera from its case without making a sound or any sudden movement, when she looked up and was gone in the blink of an eye.


Disappointed in not getting a photo of the deer I continued up the fence line, up and down the couple of climbs and drops to Kelpie Strand.


Looking down from Kelpie Strand.


I was soon on the steep climb, zigzagging my way in places. The views where stunning looking back down Hartburn. Near the summit I could feel the force of a strong cold wind. I had been sheltered in the main by walking up the leeward side of Hedgehope Hill.


At the top of Hedgehope Hill (714m), in the shelter of the stones I had a cup of tea and a sandwich. The views were stunning. Due to the forest being clear in places I could see part of my route across Threestoneburn Wood.

Leaving the shelter of the stones I headed westerly along the fence line with the full force of a cold wind directly in my face.


I knew the way to Comb Fell would be very wet as I danced my way around deep bog, marsh and deep looking puddles. I passed the area where they are still trying out a mesh as a conservation trial on the eastern approach slope of Comb Fell (652m).


At the fence junction, I checked the time I had left, to see if I had any time to go further. I made the decision to drop down, south to Coldlaw Cairn.


From Coldlaw Cairn (610m) there were stunning views all around. From here I could see a route where I would like to walk on another time I was in the area.


Dropping down off the top, I found a little shelter and had more tea and another sandwich. It was so lovely and peaceful sitting here.

After my break, I continued south, south east by a new fence, disturbing the odd grouse.



At the path junction just below High Cantle, I stopped again to check time and distance. Again I would have liked to go on but made the decision to turn east and follow the path across to Rig Cairn (460m).


To my left, north, I could drop down and follow Linhope Burn. Great Standrop stood high to my left with Hedgehope Hill behind. Further left, north west was Comb Fell.

To my right, south, I could drop down to the River Breamish. Shill Moor stood high to my right.


I continued east heading to the north side of Ritto Hill. Where I crossed a style before dropping down a grass track towards a small wood.


Reaching the edge of the wood I turned south east and followed a track around to Linhope. It was warm again in the shelter of the trees and hills.


As the track moves round the wood I could see the road climbing as it leaves Linhope. Daffodils were growing in the shelter of the trees.


Moving from the track to a road at Linhope the road crosses over Linhope Burn before starting to climb. Snowdrops sat in the sun by the side of the road. The road follows east the edge of a wood with large rhododendron bushes. From the top of the climb the road levels between open fields as it approaches Hartside.


Passed the front of the farm a few hundred meters to the side of the road where I had parked my car. It has been another good walk, I was tired now. I had covered 21.5km with 876m climb.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to a previous walk up Hedgehope and across Comb Fell.