Explore one of the most remote and rugged landscapes in Northumberland with this invigorating half-day family walk offering stunning views.
Calculated time: 2h55[?] 
Distance : 8.29km
Vertical gain : 202m
Vertical drop : 197m
Highest point : 405m
Lowest point : 241m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Alwinton
Starting point : N 55.386856° / W 2.212734° (D/A) Turn left out of the car park and follow the valley road for a short distance. Cross the footbridge over the River Coquet at the deep pool known as Wedder Leap.
Go through the gate and follow the fence line, on your left, up to the corner of the field. Go through the gate and turn left, walking alongside the tumbled-down wall.
Continue along this sheep path to the Camping Barn and Deer Hut.
(1) Turn right and join the gravel track following it uphill before descending into the valley alongside the Hepden Burn. Climb steeply uphill on the track out of the valley and onto more level ground. Cross the ladder stile and continue straight on the downhill to the Usway Burn. Fairhaugh, originally a shepherd’s cottage, is on the far side.
(2) With the burn still on your right keep following the track around to the left, and head uphill. At the hilltop follow the track right and downhill. Go through the gate out of the forest. After 50metres turn right onto a narrow path which skirts gently around the hillside.
(3) Cross the stile and continue on for 50 metres, then turn left down a sunken grassy track to the Hepden Burn. Cross the burn and go through the gate, following the track uphill to the main forest road. Turn left along the forest road.
(4) At the end of the plantation turn left and go through the gate. After 20metres turn right onto a grassy track and follow this over the brow of the hill. Follow the main track as it skirts left of Barrow Law, and head downhill, passing between two large boulders that were an old field boundary.
(5) As the track comes over the crest of the hill a lovely view of the Coquet Valley opens up ahead with Barrowburn Farm and Shillhope Law on the left. Keep following the grassy tracks as it winds its way downhill. Go through the gate and, keeping to the path, continue down through the hayfield.
(6) Just before you reach the farm buildings turn sharp right along the track. Go through the gate at the end of the track and turn left onto the road. Follow the road back to the car park. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 246m - Wedder Leap National Park Car Park
1 : km 0.55 - alt. 272m - Camping Barn and Deer Hut
2 : km 2.51 - alt. 331m - Fairhaugh
3 : km 3.14 - alt. 347m - Narrow path
4 : km 5.03 - alt. 392m - Forest road
5 : km 6.81 - alt. 361m - Crest of the hill
6 : km 7.6 - alt. 251m - Farm buildings
D/A : km 8.29 - alt. 244m - Wedder Leap National Park Car Park
Free parking is available at Wedder Leap National Park Car Park.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
11.61km
+385m
-381m
4h25
Average
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8.89km
+181m
-183m
3h05
Easy
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7.2km
+153m
-147m
2h30
Easy
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15.16km
+493m
-496m
5h45
Average
Starting point in Alwinton - Northumberland The hills in the southern part of the Northumberland National Park offer some fine walking. This route starts from the small village of Alwinton and follows paths, tracks and quiet country lanes for the most part. However some sections are pathless and a good sense of direction is necessary. The walk is best avoided if low cloud is covering the hills. Also do be prepared for some boggy areas especially after rain.
5.15km
+119m
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1h50
Easy
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5.78km
+154m
-153m
2h05
Easy
Starting point in Earle - Northumberland A lovely family walk following the Harthope Burn before a moderate climb opens up the area, offering spectacular views to the top of the valley and the Cheviot Hills, as well as to the coast. The Harthope Valley is the starting point for many inspiring walks up onto the Cheviot Hills.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
