Enjoy a short walk to two of the hillforts in the College Valley. The climb up to Great Hetha is well worth the effort for the views into the Cheviots.
Calculated time: 1h40[?] 
Distance : 4.06km
Vertical gain : 213m
Vertical drop : 213m
Highest point : 331m
Lowest point : 127m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Kirknewton
Starting point : N 55.545894° / W 2.169794° (D/A) From the car park, turn left and walk along the College Valley road.
(1) At the fingerpost signed ‘Great Hetha’, leave the road and follow the path up to the right. At the corner of the plantation turn right and follow the fence uphill.
(2) At the junction take the left fork and follow the path to the top of Great Hetha.
(3) When you have finished exploring the site leave through the gap in the ramparts on the west side of the hillfort. Follow the path downhill to the ladder stile.
(4) Cross the ladder stile and turn right along the path to Little Hetha.
(5) Return to the ladder stile, cross back over and continue straight ahead along the track.
(2) Once back at the plantation retrace your route down the hill and along the road back to the car park. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. km 0 - Car park
1 : km 0.67 - alt. km 0.67 - Fingerpost
2 : km 1.12 - alt. km 1.12 - Junction
3 : km 1.68 - alt. km 1.68 - Great Hetha
4 : km 2.22 - alt. km 2.22 - Ladder stile
5 : km 2.36 - alt. km 2.36 - Little Hetha
D/A : km 4.06 - alt. km 4.06 - Car park
The College Valley is situated in North Northumberland on the northern edge of the Cheviot Hills, an area of renowned beauty. The estate extends to some 12,000 acres and lies entirely within the Northumberland National Park.
Getting there
From the South: Leave the A1 for the A697 north of Morpeth, signed for Coldstream. Stay on the road until a couple of miles north of Wooler; at Akeld buildings there is a left turn signposted to Kirknewton and Yetholm. Turn left and follow the road for three miles. Go through Kirknewton and over the little bridge, just after the bridge, there are some cottages on the left. At the end of the cottages turn left, signposted to Hethpool.
And then…
Follow the road, which turns left at 90 degrees at the end of the farm and again at the bottom of the hill leading into the valley where the road to Throwupburn and Elsdonburn goes off to the right. Soon after this, you will pass a turn to your left – which is the drive to Hethpool House and a row of cottages on your right with a sharp right hand bend at the corner of them, this is Hethpool. Go straight on across the next cattle grid and the car park is on your left.
Please note: if you wish to drive further up the valley you will need a car permit from the College Valley Estate.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
7.66km
+113m
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2h25
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A great route that introduces the walker to the tranquil College Valley. Look out for the Wild Cheviot Goats on the hillside near Hethpool Mill.
3.98km
+59m
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1h15
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5.44km
+148m
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1h55
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10.32km
+422m
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3h55
Average
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5.7km
+296m
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2h20
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14.3km
+562m
-561m
5h25
Average
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5.78km
+154m
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2h00
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6.02km
+118m
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2h00
Easy
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
