Blanchland to Edmundbyers - Way of Light
The 4th section of the Way of Light passes through the North Pennines Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty, crossing from Northumberland into County Durham. The walk starts in the pretty village of Blanchland, crosses wild moorland sharing the route with a section of the Lead Mining Trail and finishes in the equally pretty village of Edmundbyers.
Technical sheet No. 30534726
Calculated time: 2h50 ? 
Distance : 8.07 km
Vertical gain : 190 m
Vertical drop : 179 m
Highest point : 430 m
Lowest point : 240 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : Blanchland
Starting point : N 54.847561° / W 2.054334° 
Ending point : N 54.843998° / W 1.979006° 
Today's forecast :
Description
Start : Blanchland Abbey (DH8 9SR) Grid ref. NY 966 503
(D) From Blanchland Abbey turn left towards the centre of Blanchland village and then turn left onto the B6306 (South) crossing the River Derwent. Follow the road as it bends to the left and uphill. Turn right at the farm and walk down the road (South) for around 580 m.
(1) When the road bends to the right, go straight on (South) through the gate. Follow the grassy path keeping the stone wall on your left. At the end of the wall keep walking in the same direction looking for the gate. Go through the gate. The farmland will become moorland at this point. The path will become a track across Buckshot Fell.
(2) The track will take a sharp left turn leading North-East, this should be the highest point on the walk. Continue to follow this track downhill.
(3) At the end of the track, go through the gate, the path is less clear at the otherside, but keep walking in the North-East direction for 390 m or so.
(4) When the path splits, you can take either route as they join again at a gate, but the official route is to take the southerly route. Go through the gate the path will widen into a more defined track still heading in a North-East direction.
(5) Cross Swandale Burn and then turn right onto a track. Follow this track East. The track then turns North-East then North.
(6) Cross Black Burn and turn right (East) still following the track.
(7) When you reach the end of the track, turn right along the farm road and past the farm.
(8) Turn right at the road junction and follow Church Lane into Edmundbyers arriving at St Edmund's Church in Edmundbyers (A).
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 240 m - Blanchland Abbey
1 : km 0.78 - alt. 303 m - Gate/Bend in Road
2 : km 2.38 - alt. 428 m - Bend in the Road
3 : km 3.37 - alt. 401 m - End of Track
4 : km 3.76 - alt. 386 m - Track Junction
5 : km 5.66 - alt. 332 m - Swandale Burn
6 : km 7.09 - alt. 282 m - Black Burn
7 : km 7.6 - alt. 273 m - Junction track - Farm road
8 : km 7.76 - alt. 270 m - Farm/Saints' Trail Information Board
A : km 8.07 - alt. 251 m - St Edmund's Church, Edmundbyers
Useful Information
Start : Blanchland Abbey (DH8 9SR) Grid ref. NY 966 503
Transport: There is parking in Blanchland Abbey but none in Edmundbyers.
If you are staying at the YHA in Edmundbyers then they have a private car park. Weardale bus 773 runs twice a day on weekdays with an additional service on Thursdays. You may want to consider a taxi. Try Ecocabs based in Hexham or Wittonstall Taxis.
Facilities: There is nothing along the route. The Derwent Arms in Edmundbyers provides food.
Terrain/Accessibility: This route includes farm tracks, grass paths and exposed terrain.
Accommodation: There are several options in Edmundbyers. The Derwent Arms has rooms and there is a YHA.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
This part of the route passes through the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so just enjoy the views as it reaches the highest point on the walk.
Other walks in the area
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.