LONG DISTANCE WALKERS ASSOCIATION

Northumbria Group

          THE 2000 FOOT SUMMITS OF THE CHEVIOT HILLS

This is an open Challenge Walk of 25 miles, visiting all the summits over 200ft in the Cheviot Hills. Starting the walk from Wooler adds a further 10 miles and a thousand feet of climbing

Maps   OL 16 The Cheviot Hills

            Or Landranger 74 Kelso and 80 The Cheviot Hills

            Or Pathfinder 487 The Cheviot Hills Central and 475 The Cheviot Hills North

There are 11 trig points or spot heights of over 2000ft on the OS Maps which cover this area. The walk aims to link all the distinct summits that exceeded the 2000ft contour. Five of the spot heights are usually considered to be outliers of Cheviot itself and are not included in this circuit, but if you wish to include them, they are Cheviot East Cairn (2656ft) at 915208, Braydon Crag (2353ft) at893215, Auchope Cairn (2382 ft) at 891198, Cairn Hill (2545ft) at 905195 and the summit at the sharp bend in the border fence (2419ft) at 895194. This area can be very wet and excessively boggy in bad weather but can easily be included in the walk.

This route takes in the summits of Cheviot, Windy Gyle, Bloodybush Edge, Cushat Law, Combe Fell and Hedgehope. It is best started from the Harthope Valley where there is parking at the junction of Hawsen Burn and Harthope Burn at 954225.

The route from Wooler follows a clear path via Ward House 984227, Wooler Common Farm 974265, Broadstruther ruin 941248 to join the route from the Harthope Valley between the head of Hawsen Burn and Scald Hill.

Aside from the trig points, there are few distinctive features other than the deep gorges at Bizzle Burn and the Hen Hole, neither of which is on our route. In a mist, the border fence can be a useful guide but the return to your starting point may turn out to further than you anticipated. Experienced walkers are aware of the dangers of apparently benign hills like these, but it must be stressed that this is a long walk over rough ground where cold and fatigue can present serious problems. You will need plenty of food and drink, stout walking boots, wind and waterproof clothing. If you are using a Satellite navigation device, you should make sure that you have a reserve battery and you should also carry a map and compass.

Never be afraid to retire to safety. These hills will still be there to try again next time.

The walk may be tackled in either direction, but this description starts with the ascent of Cheviot.

PLEASE KEEP TO PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY AT VALLEY LEVEL. ALWAYS OBEY THE COUNTRY CODE.

From the start near Langleeford, ascend the path alongside Hawsen Burn and turn left at the fence. Alternatively, you can ascend direct to Scald Hill using the path from 945217. Follow the fence and the flagged path westwards, past Cheviot East Cairn to Cheviot Summit (815m 2676ft) at 909206. Return to the fence and follow it westwards past Cain Hill to join the Pennine Way at the oblique bend at 895194.

Follow the Pennine Way alongside the fence southwest to the second main summit of Windy Gyle (619 m, 2032 ft) at 854154.

A little further on go through a gate on the right to a path going southeast over Little Ward Law, past the corner of the tree plantation to join a track alongside Hebden Burn. Turn right along this track to Uswayford Farm. From the farm take the path heading south-east uphill towards the col between Bloodybush Edge and Yarnspath Law to where several fences meet near the edge of the tree plantation. Continue uphill in an easterly direction to Bloodybush Edge (610m, 2001ft).

From the summit of Bloodybush Edge, follow the fence eastwards to the col and round the edge of the Forestry plantation to Cushat Law (615m 2026ft) at 929138.

From here there is a choice of two possible routes to Comb Fell (652m 2132ft) at 919187

1. Drop directly east down into the Breamish Valley at Low Bleakhope, turn left along the road to High Bleakhope and take the track on the right to Shielclough Edge and Coldlaw Cairn
2. Follow the ridge across Salters Law and Lint Lands 902162 to Breamish Head 902182 and turn right over Scotsmans Knowe

From Combe Fell follow the fence eastwards down to the col and up the steep slope to our final summit, Hedgehope Hill (714m 2348ft) at 944199

From Hedgehope descend alongside the fence to join the posted path at 952203 which will take you vis Long Crags and Hausey Crags to a footbridge at the confluence of Harthope Burn and Hasen Burn.

To return to Wooler, follow the path up the right side of Hawsen Burn to 948229 where there is a path on the right passing below Hawsen Crags to a stile alongside a gatein the fence. From here there is a clear path to Broadstruther Ruin to retrace your steps back to Wooler.

In bad weather you should follow the road down the Harthope Vallety to Wooler via Skirl Naked, Middleton Hall and Earle

This walk was developed by members of the Tyne Tees Group of the Long Distance Walkers Association. The fastest recorded time is 4 hours and 48 minutes by Peter Whewell (LDWA 1134) but an average time is around 10 hours from the Hawsen Burn car park.

For further information about this walk or for feedback which may improve the walk or this route description please email  walks.northumbria@ldwa.org.uk