Bulby's Wood to Cochrane Pike, Ingram Valley - Northumberland 30 Dec 2013.

Bulby's Wood to Cochrane Pike and return 
Ingram Valley
Northumberland
Distance 12km Climb 490m
Monday 30 December 2013

It was very wet underfoot, it had been raining for days.  I set off from Bulby's Wood car park (130m).

Bulby;s Wood car park

Side of Brough Law looking East

I travelled east up Brough Law, although raining and the ground was soaking, occasionally the views were good and clear.  I always enjoyed walking in Ingram Valley.  I used to bring my children here and show them many of the beautiful things to see within the countryside.

Side of Brough Law looking West

At the top of Brough Law there is an old settlement, for some reason I always feel like I am coming home among these stones.

Looking North towards Reaveley Hill

Brough Law looking South East

From Brough Law (300m) I headed south east towards Ewe Hill.

Looking East from Ewe Hill

After a little climb, still heading south east the ground falls to a corner of a fenced off area.  I crossed the gate and headed down hill to another old settlement fort.  I think this is a very good example of what an old fort would look like.  When you enter the entrance you have to turn and pass down a narrow path.  This would probably be for the occupiers to get a look at you and if they don't like you you could easily be denied any further access. Anyway there was no one there to stop me today.

From the old fort, I continued south east and headed up hill. The route crossed a fence then a narrow stream, before moving up hill to Cochrane Pike (335m).

I dropped down east and reached a small spring.  

All my walks in this area and I had never come across this spring before. It appeared to be a secret.

I now started on a steady climb up Old Fawdon Hill trig point (315m). From the photos the weather looks good, but it was still raining.

I stopped for a quick break in the shelter of the trees.

Old Fawdon Hill

From Old Fawdon Hill looking south I could see the large circles of a large old settlement.

Old Fawdon Hill trig point 315m looking north

I continued north down from Old Fawdon Hill and back up West Hill (274m).

From West Hill I continued north to spot height 249m.  Crossing a gate I moved north east to East Hill (227m).

I took the path down the hill into Ingram.  In parts the path was like a stream.

Passing the Visitor Centre I could see they were getting ready for the New Year party, I just continued along the road back to Bulby's Wood.

I had covered approx. 12km with approx. 490m 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 links to other walks in the area.
Dod Hill via Reaveley Hill and Heddon 21 April 2016
Shill Moor - Ingram Valley 15 July 2015
Great Standrope via Hedgehope Hill - Ingram Valley 2 Feb 2013
Hedgehope Hill - Ingram Valley 12 Jan 2013
Shill Moor Cairn - Ingram Valley 27 Dec 2012