Wednesday, 29th April 2009
| Walk: | Barrowburn, The Street, Windy Gyle, Hexpethgate, Clennell Street, Fairhaugh, Barrowburn | ||
| Start Point: | Wedder Leap car park | Grid Ref: | NT 866 103 |
| Distance: | 12 miles | Ascent: | 3,000 feet |
| Weather: | Sunny spells with a cold wind on the ridge | ||
| Accompanied by: |
Marie |
||
| Comments: | The route to the Pennine Way and back from it was mainly on good grassy paths as The Street and Clennell Street were old drovers and trade routes across the border. Along the Pennine Way there were some boggy sections but the worst of these were flagged. There were excellent views in all directions. The route was taken from the book 'Walking the Cheviots' but towards the end we walked beside Kyloe Shin instead of over it. Driving to the start of the walk along the Coquet Valley was very picturesque. Although it was a single track road it was well surfaced and there was lots of room to pass oncoming vehicles. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The car park is situated a long way along the Coquet Valley but it is well worth the drive
The name of the car park is derived from local legend
Walking along the by the River Coquet . . .
the sheep pens in the Cheviots all seem to be circular
Looking back to the River Coquet as we head up The Street
Scottish Blackfaced sheep are one of the hardiest breeds in the country
The lamb on the right can't be more than an hour or so old . . .
but is already quite active
Cheviot white-faced sheep is a hardy breed developed in Scotland and Northumberland
Heading for Black Brae . . .
it's time to take 'one for the album'
The goat and its kid beat a hasty retreat
Crossing the Pennine Way . . .
we reach the border with Scotland . . .
where there are great views to the north
Windy Gyle is one of the highest peaks in the Cheviots . . .
and was a Bronze Age burial mound . . .
on which, uniquely, a trig point has been built . . .
and has become known recently as Russell's Cairn in memory of Lord Francis Russell who was fatally shot at a March Wardens meeting at nearby Hexpethgate
Continuing along the Pennine Way . . .
we are glad of the flagged path across the peaty ground
From Hexpethgate we make our way down Clennell Street
The upper reaches of Usway Burn
As we enter the forest the trees at each side grow in close proximity . . .
but further along the path the scene changes completely . . .
until we reach the Usway Burn - a perfect place to stop
We soon meet Hepden Burn . . .
as we head away from the trees
A heron is poised to catch its supper
Back in the Coquet Valley . . .
we soon reach the car park where the hawthorn is in full bloom
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