Windy Gyle is the key objective for this walk in the deserted hills of Northumbria. Starting in the beautiful Coquet Valley the walk crosses wild moorland and includes a section of the Pennine Way.
Calculated time: 4h25[?] 
Distance : 11.61km
Vertical gain : 385m
Vertical drop : 381m
Highest point : 614m
Lowest point : 260m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Alwinton
Starting point : N 55.39697° / W 2.223284° 
(D/A) The upper reaches of the Coquet valley in the Northumberland National park provide a great feeling of remoteness. This walk takes to the high ground and starts roughly half a mile west of Windylaugh where ample parking is available on the grass verge near the confluence of Trows Burn with the River Coquet (grid ref. NT860114).
Head up the valley containing Trows Burn on the metalled lane that leads to the lonely farmsteads of Rowthorpe and Trows. Shortly after the latter farm a side track forks left off the valley track and immediately starts to climb quite steeply. After a short way the gradient eases and ahead you can see the large rounded shape of Windy Gyle although the summit will not come into view for some time yet.
(1) Stay with the track with ever improving retrospective views back into Coquetdale. After just short of two miles the track meets a bridleway/footpath (grid ref. 860148). turn left (just north of west) for the final climb to summit of Windy Gyle, which is marked by a large cairn. There are superb views in all directions especially over Scotland.
(2) If the visibility is good, Windy Gyle is a pleasant place to spend some time. All good things must end and you retrace your steps to the fence to pick up the Pennine Way as it heads south. The going is pleasantly easy as the path undulates along the ridge. Reaching a small col just before Mozie Law take the clear path that goes south over Black Braes. Stay with this ridge, choosing the best path for the conditions, over the flanks of Swineside Law. Known as "the Street" this ridge path leads you back to where you have parked (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 264m
1 : km 2.69 - alt. 416m - Stay with the track
2 : km 4.43 - alt. 614m - Windy Gyle
D/A : km 11.61 - alt. 260m
Although this walk includes a two thousand foot summit the going, apart from a few boggy sections, is remarkably easy. The summit of Windy Gyle is reached without too much exertion and you have plenty of energy to enjoy the "deafening" silence so typical of this part of Britain. Whatever happens the landscape will captivate your imagination and you will certainly return to enjoy more of the Cheviots.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.83/5
Number of opinions : 2
Description quality : 4.5/5
Routemap quality : 5/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 24/03/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Lovely walk in a stunning part of Northumberland. It was pretty windy yesterday but our group of mixed experience walkers all managed to get round the circuit despite the wind. There's nothing too technically difficult along this route with a steady incline to the tops once you start climbing but the remoteness of the location makes it spectacular and the views over Scotland and Northumberland are amazing.
Definitely a walk I'd do again.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share any photos if you have any 
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/09/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Did this walk today. Wow. I loved it. I was looking for solitude and escapism and did I get that! As tbe view over tbe scottish borders opened before me I could only wonder at the immense area of openess. Ive never felt this before. Thank you
8.29km
+202m
-197m
2h55
Easy
Starting point in Alwinton - Northumberland Explore one of the most remote and rugged landscapes in Northumberland with this invigorating half-day family walk offering stunning views.
8.89km
+181m
-183m
3h05
Easy
Starting point in Alwinton - Northumberland An easy circular walk from Alwinton; taking in the ruins of the castle at Harbottle and then up to the Drake Stone in the Harbottle Hills. Descend to Harbottle Lake and return via the forest path. Great views on a clear day.
7.2km
+153m
-147m
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Alwinton - Northumberland Alwinton and the River Alwin route is a favourite route with walkers, starting in Alwinton, that used to be one of many trackways in the border hills frequented in times past by cattle drovers, shepherds, pedlars and whiskey smugglers.
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.
4.06km
+213m
-213m
1h45
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland 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.
7.66km
+113m
-119m
2h30
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
-60m
1h20
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A lovely family walk to Hethpool Linn, a dramatic waterfall on the College Burn, returning along St Cuthbert’s Way - we can’t guarantee it, but a good vantage point to see the wild Cheviot goats.
14.3km
+562m
-561m
5h40
Average
Starting point in Scottish Borders This walk in the Northumberland National Park follows the England-Scotland border fence and starts from Kirk Yetholm. The walk uses the Pennine Way to reach Black Hag. The return route follows an alternative route of the Pennine Way back to the start.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
