Talkin Head and Simmerson Hill from Talkin village

Dog friendly circular walk in the North Pennines AONB. View from the top of Talkin Fell is breathtaking with its series of cairns.

Technical sheet

29401389
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 282 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 275 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 383 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 164 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start : Car park along the road in front of Talkin church, Talkin, Brampton (CA8 1LE), after Blacksmiths Arms pub. Grid ref. NY 550 573

(S/E) From the main road (South-East) to go out of the village passing in front of the church (the Blacksmith's Arms pub should be behind you). Follow this road for around 500 m before seeing another road on the right.

(1) Take right (South) in the direction of Talking Head Farm. Continue on this road for around 1 Km. You should see on your right several cottages and a private car park at the end. The concrete road stops after the car park and becomes a pedestrian path.

(2) Pass the bridge to take the path that goes up (South-East). The path is enclosed by dry stones walls on each side. Continue of the path that still goes up before entering a little wood. Continue straight.

(3) Do not take the path on the right that goes through the wood, as it is the one you will take on your way back. Continue straight (North-East) to exit the wood and have an open view on the North Pennines moors. Still continue on the wall-enclosed path for around 1 Km.

(4) The wall on the right will disappear and you need to follow the path until the left side wall turn left (East then North) going up in the direction of the summit. The path goes up faster now. The wall needs to be on your left. Follow it until you see a stile on the left. Go over the stile and go straight (North-West) in the direction of the summit, where you will see several cairns.

(5) Retrace your steps. Go over the stile again, but this time instead of following the right side wall, take the path on the left that goes down through the fields. _ Be Careful _ this path is not really visible. Continue straight until the path is flat again and to see a gate on the right.

(6) Turn right at the gate, then directly left following the path that goes up Simmerson Hill (East).

(7) Take right (South) to take the path that follow Simmerson Hill by its crest (void should be on your right). Continue straight on this path that will turn slightly left to start going down.

(8) Turn right (South-West) to follow the path going down the valley. At the bottom take right and follow the path through the fields. Continue straight until arriving a gate (should see a farm on your right before the gate).

(9) Pass the gate and continue on the large visible path. Continue straight on the path that will pass between some houses arriving on a concrete road and following the river.

(10) After the bridge on the left (do not cross the river), take the path on the right (North-West) that goes up through the wood. Go up until arriving to the gate where you will find the initial dry stones wall enclosed path (3).

(3) Take left on the path to follow the initial path in opposite direction (West) and find the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 165 m - Talkin Church
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 169 m - Road junction
  3. 2 : km 1.04 - alt. 166 m - Bridge
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 216 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  5. 4 : km 2.76 - alt. 294 m - Bifurcation
  6. 5 : km 3.73 - alt. 371 m - Summit with cairns
  7. 6 : km 4.46 - alt. 372 m - Junction to follow Simmerson Hill
  8. 7 : km 5.28 - alt. 366 m - Downhill path
  9. 8 : km 6.61 - alt. 263 m - Door
  10. 9 : km 7.74 - alt. 176 m - Bifucation through wood
  11. S/E : km 9.78 - alt. 165 m - Talkin Church

Practical information

Start : Car park along the road in front of Talkin church, Talkin, Brampton (CA8 1LE), after Blacksmiths Arms pub. Grid ref. NY 550 573

Parking : Car park along the road in front of Talkin church (Talkin, Brampton CA8 1LE), after Blacksmiths Arms pub. Free to park.

Terrain : The path can be muddy. Potential presence of livestock in the fields; dogs must be kept in leash.

Facilities : No water point, no WC.

Find more information and walks at Our Lake District Escapades here.

In the nearby area

Beautiful cairns at the summit of Talkin Head.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Our Lake District Escapades
Our Lake District Escapades ★

Hi Aoife,

Thank you for your review. I will modify the first sentence of the description to make sure it is clearer. I am happy you have enjoyed the walk.

Mélodie
Moderator - Visorando English

Aoife
Aoife

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Directions very good except for the first instruction saying we start on the road 'opposite ' the pub. This is a badly worded instruction. Actually ually you walk past the Church with the pub behind you.
Otherwise the instructions and map were very helpful.
Beautiful scenery. Weather perfect for fell walking.
Many Thanks

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