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Catterick Moss & Bollihope Carrs

North Pennines Walk

Region - North Pennines

County/Area - Durham

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.6 miles / 9.1 km    Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Time - 3 hours 40 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL31Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL31Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 92Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 92Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Catterick Moss & Bollihope Carrs
Click image to see photo description.

This North Pennine walk in County Durham explores two summits, Catterick Moss and Bollihope Carrs, which are located near Stanhope on the south side of Weardale. The route is not for inexperienced walkers as the walk needs good navigation skills, a 1:25k map and a good sense of direction. In addition, paths are intermittent with rough ground in places and often wet. If there is low cloud, then I recommend you save the walk for another day.

To reach the start take the Barnard Castle road (B6278) out of Stanhope. Just after crossing the highest point there is a small area for off road parking (grid ref. NY983363). From here you should be able to see the cairn on Catterick Moss to the east and a similar structure on Bollihope Carrs to the west. It is also worth making a mental note of the general lie of the land.

The first objective is the cairn on Catterick Moss. Leaving the road choose the easiest route across the rough moor aiming for the cairn which is in sight for all this section. As you get nearer keep to the right of a rocky outcrop. Continue to the OS trig column. Maintaining direction continue for a further 200 metres from where you have an extensive view east into Weardale. From this viewpoint, trend slight right and descend to a track (grid ref. NY999358). Go right where the tracks forks and continue along the track into valley heading for a small plantation (grid ref, NY990352). Continue to the road.

Turn right up the road to a small parking area on the left 50 metres beyond the bridge. Take the left-hand of the three tracks and bear right up to walled enclosure. Bear left along the wall and follow it round to the right to end of the enclosure. From this point you have a clear view to Bollihope Moss. There is no path so head west choosing your route with care. Clamber up through rocks to the trig column and enjoy the view west across Upper Weardale.

Continue to the cairn from where you can see your starting point. From the cairn a grassy track heads northeast. In places the track becomes indistinct. Continue to cross a stream, take the second fork right (grid ref. NY973363) and continue east back to the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2393 Weardale Circular from Westgateeasy/mod6.4 miles
Walk 1948 Tunstall Reservoireasy/mod7.3 miles
Walk 1955 Sunnyside Edge from Wolsinghameasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 3099 High Force, Low Force and the River Teeseasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 2382 Smiddy Shaw Reservoir Circulareasy/mod6.2 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

Recommended Books & eBooks

Great Mountain Days in the Pennines

Great Mountain Days in the PenninesAn inspirational guidebook to 50 classic walks on the rolling Pennine landscape. The graded routes, between 6 and 13 miles in length, cover classic Pennine fells and moorland such as Whernside, Ilkley Moor and Pendle Hill; exploring the North and South Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Howgills and Dark Peak. Many routes are also suited to fell running.
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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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