(S/E) There are car parks and limited street parking in Middleton-in-Teesdale (Grid ref. NY947254) where a wide range of facilities, including pubs, shops and cafes are available. When parking, please be considerate to others. After parking leave the village by Bridge Street (signposted to Brough) heading south to drop down to cross the River Tees. Climbing up from the river you soon reach a road junction where the B6277 bends left. Almost opposite is a bridleway, which is also the Pennine Way. The bridleway goes to the left of the Kirkcarrion, a hilltop conifer plantation, but we need to bear right and follow the rather feint Pennine Way as it climbs steadily onto the flanks of Harter Fell.
(1) Pass through the wall on the ridge and aim for a ruined barn which you keep on your right. Ahead lies another barn and you should keep to the right. Continue across a number of small fields to reach Wythes Hill Farm (Grid ref. NY921228). From here take the farm access road down to the B6276. Cross over and continue to follow the Pennine Way across field to Grassholme. Turn left and follow the lane across Grassholme Bridge. Reaching the other side of the reservoir, turn left through a gate (Grid ref. NY930215). Follow the path along the shore of the reservoir. After about 30 minutes walking, you reach the reservoir dam. Follow the access road uphill from the dam and turn left onto a minor road (Grid ref NY948224).
{{__If the path on the south side of the reservoir is still signed as being closed (since April 2020), a detour along the lane can be an easy alternative.
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(2) Stay on this road as far as the first junction (Grid ref. NY953227). Take the footpath on the left and follow this across fields to reach Eller Beck. Go over the beck and continue uphill to Westfield House. Follow their access road to a lane (Grid ref. NY957238) and turn right. Reaching a railway viaduct, climb up and cross the River Lune following the old trackbed for some way towards Middleton. A sign for Middleton directs you to the right at a farm. Continue across the road and follow the path, which follows the River Tees upstream as far as County Bridge where you turn right into Middleton(S/E).