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The Cheviot from College Valley

Northumberland Walk

Nat Park - Northumberland

County/Area - Northumberland County & Scottish Borders

Author - Paul Gasson

Length - 9.0 miles / 14.6 km    Ascent - 2100 feet / 636 metres

Time - 6 hours 40 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL16Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL16Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 74Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 74Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - The Cheviot
Click image to visit gallery of 7 images.

The Cheviot, at 815 metres, is the principal hill in Northumbria, and a somewhat secretive one at that, with no close road access. The summit hardly rises above the boggy plateau on which it is situated, and whilst the shortest route to it is probably from the end of the road in the valley of the Harthope Burn, over Scald Hill, this route holds far more interest.

The Mounthooly Bunkhouse (recently refurbished), is located at the end of a long private road in the College Valley. Other than residents, a permit is required and can be obtained online from www.college-valley.co.uk. There is a free car park at the entrance to the valley, but believe me, the fee is well worth it!

Leave the car on the grass just before the gate to Mounthooly, pass through the gate and behind the buildings following a clear track alongside the infant College Burn, through a number of gates, and eventually into open rough pasture and a waymarker. Here it is possible to follow the left hand branch of the stream into a deep valley, clearly visible up ahead, and enjoy some easy scrambling on either side of the stream, into the Hen Hole. There are several tales about the Hen Hole, probably the best known being that of Black Adam of Cheviot, a notorious outlaw, who gatecrashed a wedding party in Wooperton, robbed the guests, raped and murdered the bride then made his escape, hotly pursued by the groom, to the Hen Hole, where they scrambled up the rocks and made a 20ft. leap across the ravine to Black Adams cave, where they fought until both men fell to their deaths in the College Burn below.

The route scrambles alongside the Three Sisters Falls, and some lesser cascades, and eventually exits right up very steep grass to gain the main route at the Auchope Cairn, but our path continues straight ahead at the marker post, climbing steeply above a shaley ravine, known as the Red Cribs on account of their colour, until, at the top of the rise the Pennine way is met, running alongside a substantial fence. This is the Border Fence, marking the end of England and the start of Scotland! Turn left here and, at the top of the slightest of rises you come to a mountain refuge hut, the Stuart Lancaster Memorial Hut, named after a walker who died in a snowstorm near here. Whilst the hut is small and contains only a wooden bench it can offer welcome refuge to anyone caught here in a winter blizzard, or even a summer downpour! The view from here back down the College Valley makes it an inviting lunch spot.

Continuing on from the hut, the Border Fence on your right, drop down to a col before a steep climb up to the Auchope Cairn and it's 'Stone Men'. These are two, recently restored, rough stone pillars that look from a distance like two walkers bending into the wind. Auchope Cairn is regarded as the best view in Northumbria (mists permitting!), enjoying extensive views in every direction, and marks the start of the summit plateau. After the pull up to the Cairn, it is a welcome relief to note that the path now goes slightly downhill, still roughly following the Border Fence, and very soon meeting the boardwalk which has been installed to prevent erosion of the vulnerable peaty moor. This is followed to a sharp right turn in the Fence and the Pennine Way, and a signpost, somewhat out of place in this wild spot.

The sign does however point the way to The Cheviot, and, after negotiating a couple of stiles and a boggy patch we are on our way, leaving the Pennine Way and the Border Fence and soon coming across a stone flagged path across the moor, the flags mostly recycled from disused cotton mills, still with a fence to our right. The path rises marginally to Cairn Hill, with an enormous cairn (more a big pile of stones!), known as Scotsman's Cairn just beyond the fence. The stone flags lead us unerringly to the large cairn and triangulation pillar marking the summit of The Cheviot, near a pool, the size of which varies greatly dependant on the amount of rain recently!

The return is to reverse the outward route, with, if required, a slight variation at the col below the refuge hut. Leave the Pennine Way right and make your way over to the start of the slope down. Here, at NT880201, you will locate an obvious grassy track (marked on the 1:2500 OS map OL16), which zig zags down into the valley. It becomes less distinct once the slope is left behind, but continue in the same direction to meet the outward path near the marker post referred to earlier. Go right to return to the car.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1314 Great Hetha and Elsdon Burn from Hethpooleasy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 3644 Blackhaggs Rigg & Great Hetha from Hethpoolmoderate9.6 miles
Walk 3646 Hethpool, Sutherland Bridge & Great Hethamoderate6.0 miles
Walk 3739 Elsdonburn & Trowupburn from Hethpoolmoderate8.2 miles
Walk 1764 The Cheviot from Langleefordmod/hard8.2 miles
Walk 1765 Comb Fell & Hedgehope Hill from Langleefordmod/hard8.9 miles
Walk 1776 The Cheviot & Auchope Cairn from Langleefordmod/hard10.0 miles
Walk 2152 Hartshope Linn (waterfall) from Langleefordeasy4.4 miles
Walk 2153 Housey Crags from Langleefordeasy/mod2.0 miles
Walk 1201 Black Hag from Kirk Yetholmmoderate8.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Pennine Way Map Booklet

Pennine Way Map BookletMap of the 270 miles (435km) Pennine Way National Trail, between Edale in the Peak District and Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail, and shows the full route on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps. This popular long-distance route typically takes three weeks to complete.
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Walking in Northumberland

Walking in Northumberland This guidebook contains detailed route descriptions for 36 day walks in Northumberland including the Cheviot Hills. The terrain varies from wild walks and craggy ascents to gentle riverside strolls. Each route ranges from 4 to 16 miles in length and there is the opportunity to link several walks together to create longer treks.
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