Walk 3296 - printer friendly version

Grubbit Law & Hownam Law from Morebattle Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km

Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NT771249
Lat 55.5173120 + Long -2.3642160
Postcode TD5 8QG (approx. location only)

This walk from Morebattle explores a grassy ridge linking Grubbit Law with Hownam Law. Despite their more height the views are wide ranging and include The Cheviot across the border in England. The route to Hownam Law is straightforward although the final descent requires careful navigation with the relevant OS 1:25k map proving useful.

Start from the centre of the Morebattle village (grid ref. NT771249) where limited on-street parking is available. After parking, walk east on the B6401 and continue past the Templehall Hotel on the right. At the next road junction bear right onto a minor signed to Hownam. The road climbs steeply before a gentle descent into the Kate Valley. At the next junction turn right (also signed to Hownam) and continue for 600 metres to reach a wooden footbridge on the left.

Cross the bridge and follow St. Cuthbert's Way to a gate. Almost immediately turn right onto a clear track. Where the track bends sharp left bear right off the track to join a grassy track with the fence on your right. Head up to the corner of a plantation and follow the St. Cuthbert's Way as it turns right and continue up to a stile (grid ref. NT787238). From here head east-northeast over rough ground to gain the summit of Grubbit Law (326 m.).

From Grubbit Law head east keeping to the high ground to cross a stile in a wall. Stay with the wall as it turns south crossing Cushat End. Continue with the wall towards Hownam Law. Pass through a gate in the first cross wall and continue to another gate in a cross wall. Continue to the summit of Hownam Law (449 m.) with its OS trig column. This was once the site of an important Iron Age hill fort although little remains of what must have been a sizeable structure.

To continue descend southwest and then west-northwest down the steep western flank of Grange Hill. The gradient soon eases, and you reach a grassy track heading north with a wall on your left. Go through a gate and head north with the wall on your left. Pass through another gate to join a track. Continue ahead, keeping Hownam Grange Farm to your left. Follow the farm access drive to the road. Turn right and continue to the next road junction, where your fork left to return to Morebattle.

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