Langleeford to The Cheviot via Dunsdale and return
Northumberland
Distance 21km Climb 1100m
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Today was a celebration and so I woke early, really early. It was just getting light as I drove through Wooler and headed towards Langleeford. As I was dropping down along the Harthope Valley I suddenly realised I had forgotten my woolly hat, what was I going to do?
I was celebrating 10 years since I climbed Ben Nevis for my 50th birthday. Follow the link to my Best Birthday Present Ever.
At the parking area I had a quick look in the back of my car and found a pair of long johns which I wrapped around my head. I must have looked strange but knew I would need some form of head covering today. Hopefully I would not meet anyone?
I left the car and crossed the road by a sheepfold (210m). You can follow this link to the last time I walked a similar route up The Cheviot. A weak watery sun was rising in the east as I started up Hawsen Burn.
I was taking a narrow path up by Hawsen Burn, walking north west. It was such a long time since I last walked a hill so I was looking forward to today. I stayed on the right of the stream as it twisted and turned, where there were a few climbs and drops.
At the top of a rise I could see a ford over the stream on my left. Over a track I started climbing by the stream but moved right up onto an easier path. The path was still following the Hawsen Burn only higher up the bank.
After a few hundred meters a narrow footpath turns west, continuing up by Hawsen Burn. A cold wind was blowing into my face and I was glad of my temporary hat.
Continuing west I passed another sheepfold. The narrow footpath joins the track again as it heads towards the fence.
Crossing the fence line that drops down from Broadhope Hill to my right and Scald Hill on my left. I had a short rest in the shelter of a grouse but (460m). I could see low cloud or mist on The Cheviot to my southwest.
And on Hedgehope Hill to my south.
I continued west to the edge and I could see stunning views down the valley. Walking down hill I dropped down to the south edge of the wood. The bottom of the wood on the right of this photo.
Walking along outside the south edge of the wood. Although there was a little up and down in places. It was a lovely walking along here and sheltered.
Leaving the wood behind me I was now following west along a grass footpath. Looking down the valley as last time the views were beautiful.
The grass path drops and I caught my first glimpse of Goldscleugh.
Approaching Goldscleugh I followed the fence line up, it was along here I saw a number of golf balls lying on the track. I had the idea that someone must have been practicing by hitting the balls from the cottage up the hill.
Moving through the gate I followed the track down a steep bank as it heads towards the buildings and a ford. Crossing the ford I got my feet a little wet. My boots were still damp from my wanderings last Saturday.
Moving onto the road leaving Goldscleugh behind, I could see Dunsdale ahead of me and the path I would take to the west.
The road rises and falls as it moves west towards Dunsdale. Along here I saw this Mad March Hare, who ran down the road ahead of me.
It was sheltered walking along here and I was out of the cold wind. Different to the last time I walked here. When I got to the cattle grid I saw that the hare had fallen into the cattle grid. Fortunately it climbed out and ran away as I was approaching.
Taking the path up towards Dunsdale I crossed a bridge over Bizzle Burn (260m). Looking left up towards the area of Bizzle Crags all I could see was a large clump of mist.
I walked through Dunsdale and joined the footpath that climbs up the south side of the wood to the west. The view down College Valley was clear.
The path follows a fence line south west, after crossing an open boggy area the footpath joins the area of harvested wood again.
I followed along the fence line south west. Crossing the fence the footpath started heading slightly down hill. In the distance through the mist I caught a glimpse of the Mountain Refuge Hut.
After crossing a clearing and a high style the path moved further down hill.
Continuing down hill I missed the way down to the footbridge and so continued up the valley following the stream looking for a place to cross. It didn't take me long to find the remains of an old concrete bridge (350m).
I continued following the one of the streams and I realised I was on the path towards the Hen Hole. A quick navigation check and I turned further south west to join the footpath up towards Red Cribs.
Climbing this path I could see looking east up towards the Hen Hole.
It was a steep climb and I could see the Red Cribs down to my left. As I climbed the mist was thickening.
I was sheltered walking up College Valley this soon changed when I reached the top of Red Cribs. Turning left, east towards the Mountain Refuge Hut I felt the wind picking up and it was in my face. I was now on The Pennine Way.
I took my time climbing up the very steep side towards Auchope Cairn, moving east.
The mist was getting thicker and the wind was getting stronger as I was climbing. It was also getting colder. Finally I reached Auchope Cairn (720m) where I had a quick look around for a Geocache. It was too cold to spend too much time here so I moved on.
Moving back to the stone path I started climbing again. I reached the fence where walkers of The Pennine Way can either turn up to visit The Cheviot or miss The Cheviot and walk down the way I had just walked up, towards the Auchope Mountain Refuge Hut.
I continued up to The Cheviot.
You can see how poor the visibility was.
Eventually in the mist I reached The Cheviot trig point (815m), while here I looked for and found the Geocache.
It is here I feel the need to mention my friend Ian. On my walk today I often thought of Ian who I had brought up to The Cheviot a few years ago, on a different route. Unfortunately it is with some sadness I should say Ian is no longer with us.
After a couple of photos I continued north east along the stone path. The wind was very strong here, fortunately it was behind me. Giving me the impression it did not want me around and was trying to blow me off The Cheviot.
I walked the path and crossed the fence at the style.
Heading down hill it was still misty and I had to take care with the strong wind. This was where I saw a couple walking up hill, fortunately they were battling into the wind and with the mist I am sure they did not see my strange hat.
Follow links to other walks up The Cheviot.
Wedder Leap to The Cheviot 4 Jan 2017
Harthope to The Cheviot via Mountain Refuge Hut 12 May 2016.
At the parking area I had a quick look in the back of my car and found a pair of long johns which I wrapped around my head. I must have looked strange but knew I would need some form of head covering today. Hopefully I would not meet anyone?
I left the car and crossed the road by a sheepfold (210m). You can follow this link to the last time I walked a similar route up The Cheviot. A weak watery sun was rising in the east as I started up Hawsen Burn.
I was taking a narrow path up by Hawsen Burn, walking north west. It was such a long time since I last walked a hill so I was looking forward to today. I stayed on the right of the stream as it twisted and turned, where there were a few climbs and drops.
At the top of a rise I could see a ford over the stream on my left. Over a track I started climbing by the stream but moved right up onto an easier path. The path was still following the Hawsen Burn only higher up the bank.
After a few hundred meters a narrow footpath turns west, continuing up by Hawsen Burn. A cold wind was blowing into my face and I was glad of my temporary hat.
Continuing west I passed another sheepfold. The narrow footpath joins the track again as it heads towards the fence.
Crossing the fence line that drops down from Broadhope Hill to my right and Scald Hill on my left. I had a short rest in the shelter of a grouse but (460m). I could see low cloud or mist on The Cheviot to my southwest.
And on Hedgehope Hill to my south.
I continued west to the edge and I could see stunning views down the valley. Walking down hill I dropped down to the south edge of the wood. The bottom of the wood on the right of this photo.
Walking along outside the south edge of the wood. Although there was a little up and down in places. It was a lovely walking along here and sheltered.
Leaving the wood behind me I was now following west along a grass footpath. Looking down the valley as last time the views were beautiful.
The grass path drops and I caught my first glimpse of Goldscleugh.
Approaching Goldscleugh I followed the fence line up, it was along here I saw a number of golf balls lying on the track. I had the idea that someone must have been practicing by hitting the balls from the cottage up the hill.
Moving through the gate I followed the track down a steep bank as it heads towards the buildings and a ford. Crossing the ford I got my feet a little wet. My boots were still damp from my wanderings last Saturday.
Moving onto the road leaving Goldscleugh behind, I could see Dunsdale ahead of me and the path I would take to the west.
The road rises and falls as it moves west towards Dunsdale. Along here I saw this Mad March Hare, who ran down the road ahead of me.
It was sheltered walking along here and I was out of the cold wind. Different to the last time I walked here. When I got to the cattle grid I saw that the hare had fallen into the cattle grid. Fortunately it climbed out and ran away as I was approaching.
Taking the path up towards Dunsdale I crossed a bridge over Bizzle Burn (260m). Looking left up towards the area of Bizzle Crags all I could see was a large clump of mist.
I walked through Dunsdale and joined the footpath that climbs up the south side of the wood to the west. The view down College Valley was clear.
The path follows a fence line south west, after crossing an open boggy area the footpath joins the area of harvested wood again.
I followed along the fence line south west. Crossing the fence the footpath started heading slightly down hill. In the distance through the mist I caught a glimpse of the Mountain Refuge Hut.
After crossing a clearing and a high style the path moved further down hill.
Continuing down hill I missed the way down to the footbridge and so continued up the valley following the stream looking for a place to cross. It didn't take me long to find the remains of an old concrete bridge (350m).
I continued following the one of the streams and I realised I was on the path towards the Hen Hole. A quick navigation check and I turned further south west to join the footpath up towards Red Cribs.
Climbing this path I could see looking east up towards the Hen Hole.
It was a steep climb and I could see the Red Cribs down to my left. As I climbed the mist was thickening.
I was sheltered walking up College Valley this soon changed when I reached the top of Red Cribs. Turning left, east towards the Mountain Refuge Hut I felt the wind picking up and it was in my face. I was now on The Pennine Way.
I had a short rest at the Auchope Mountain Refuge Hut (498m). Which is dedicated to Stuart Lancaster who had died in a snow storm near here. I have stopped here a few times now and love this place.
After a couple of cups of hot chocolate and my jam sandwiches, I was ready to set off again. I was so glad of my new hat.
I took my time climbing up the very steep side towards Auchope Cairn, moving east.
The mist was getting thicker and the wind was getting stronger as I was climbing. It was also getting colder. Finally I reached Auchope Cairn (720m) where I had a quick look around for a Geocache. It was too cold to spend too much time here so I moved on.
Moving back to the stone path I started climbing again. I reached the fence where walkers of The Pennine Way can either turn up to visit The Cheviot or miss The Cheviot and walk down the way I had just walked up, towards the Auchope Mountain Refuge Hut.
I continued up to The Cheviot.
You can see how poor the visibility was.
As the path continues to climb I passed Cairn Hill.
Eventually in the mist I reached The Cheviot trig point (815m), while here I looked for and found the Geocache.
It is here I feel the need to mention my friend Ian. On my walk today I often thought of Ian who I had brought up to The Cheviot a few years ago, on a different route. Unfortunately it is with some sadness I should say Ian is no longer with us.
After a couple of photos I continued north east along the stone path. The wind was very strong here, fortunately it was behind me. Giving me the impression it did not want me around and was trying to blow me off The Cheviot.
I walked the path and crossed the fence at the style.
Heading down hill it was still misty and I had to take care with the strong wind. This was where I saw a couple walking up hill, fortunately they were battling into the wind and with the mist I am sure they did not see my strange hat.
Soon the countryside
opened up below me and I could see the path as it drop then rises up Scald Hill. The path was very wet and slippery.
From Scald Hill (549m) I
could also see some of the route I had taken earlier in the day, across the side of Broadhope Hill.
Leaving Scald Hill I walked down the fence line then followed the footpath east
down towards Langleeford. It was very warm here and I no longer needed my hat.
At the bottom I turned left at the road and walked back towards my car. Just before the parking area I turned right down beside a wall, crossed a bridge over Harthope Burn to collect another Geocache.
Back at my car I had a quick rest with a couple of cups of hot chocolate before I headed home. I felt great, I had had a lovely day celebrating a special occasion. Covering 21km with 1100m climb.
Cheers Cheviot see you later.
Cheers Cheviot see you later.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
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 up The Cheviot.
Wedder Leap to The Cheviot 4 Jan 2017
Harthope to The Cheviot via Mountain Refuge Hut 12 May 2016.
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