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Hannah's Meadow, Baldersdale & Brown Rigg Moss

North Pennines Walk

Region - North Pennines

County/Area - Durham

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km    Ascent - 1000 feet / 303 metres

Time - 5 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Hannah's Meadow, Baldersdale & Brown Rigg Moss
Click image to see photo description.

This walk explores the surroundings made famous by the lone farmer Hannah Hawkswell who used traditional methods to earn her living. The route uses sections of the Pennine Way, which in this immediate area offers two routes. It is wise to choose a clear day to fully enjoy the North Pennines' remarkable skies and landscapes.

The start is the car park at Balderhead Reservoir (grid ref. NY929186). Exit the car park and return to the road and walk west towards the High Birk Hatt, Hannah's Meadow gate (grid ref.NY933189). Turn right off the road and follow the Pennine Way north. The path takes you through Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve and down to the shores of Blackton Reservoir. Cross Blackton Bridge and continue to the junction where the two Pennine Way routes diverge (grid ref. NY933181). Take the right fork and continue past Clove Lodge to reach a minor road, which is followed for a short way.

Turn right off the minor road following the Pennine Way signage and continue across Cotherstone Moor to reach a stile at Race Yate (grid ref. NY942160). Once across the stile turn east along a marked path for approximately 1.5 miles across the Great Allotment. Like many paths in this area, the going can be rather wet underfoot if there has been plenty of rain! This section of the route offers a true taste of the area with little sign of life apart from wildlife and sheep.

Reaching the Pennine Way at Ladywood Rigg (grid ref.NY968163), turn left. The onward route is generally well trodden and easy to follow soon reaching the minor road passed on the outward section of the walk (grid ref. NY948178). Pick up the path a few metres east and head north to east Friar House where the Pennine Way turns almost due east. The path leads you to the junction where the two Pennine Way routes meet and all you ned to do is retrace your steps back to the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2228 Romaldkirk Moor easy/mod7.6 miles
Walk 1005 Harter Fell & Grassholme from Middleton-in-Teesdalemoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1482 Crossthwaite Common from Middleton-in-Teesdalemoderate9.8 miles
Walk 1483 Eggleston & Romaldkirk from Middleton-in-Teesdaleeasy/mod9.8 miles
Walk 1484 Kirkcarrion from Middleton-in-Teesdaleeasy3.5 miles
Walk 1485 Hamsterley & Middleton-in-Teesdalemod/hard16.5 miles
Walk 1488 Middleton-in-Teesdale Railway Walkeasy2.5 miles
Walk 2258 Grassholme Reservoir from Middleton-in-Teesdalemoderate8.2 miles
Walk 2157 Romaldkirk & Cotherstoneeasy5.0 miles
Walk 2170 Eggleston & Mickleton from Romaldkirkeasy/mod5.8 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in County Durham

Walking in County DurhamGuidebook offering detailed descriptions of 40 day walks, plus 10 traffic-free cycle routes along old railway trackbeds. Together they cover 450 miles and spread all over County Durham to show the region's history and natural wonders. The terrain covered ranges from field paths to open moorlands, from the North Sea to the high Pennines.
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Pennine Way Map Booklet

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