Walking Britain Northumberland Walk
Hethpool, Sutherland Bridge & Great Hetha
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This circular walk from Hethpool in Northumberland explores the College Valley upstream to Sutherland Bridge where the route turns north to reach the remote farm at Trowupburn. From here the walk ascends Great Hetha with its Iron Age hillfort. Throughout the walk there are many outstanding views of the Cheviot Hills including the Cheviot, the highest mountain in the Northumberland National Park.
The start is the small parking area at Hethpool (grid ref. NT894281). After parking turn right out of car park and walk north along the road. Where the road bears left, turn right onto the signed St. Cuthbert's Way. Cross the river, and where the track forks bear right. The path soon passes Hethpool Mill on your left to reach a gate. Go through the gate and follow an intermittent path roughly parallel to the College Burn on your right. There are occasional waymarks and the burn acts as a navigational aid. After 3.5 kilometres you reach a gate which leads you onto the Lambden Valley private road (grid ref. NT889248).
Turn right down the road, cross Sutherland Bridge and continue up to a road junction opposite Cuddlestone Hall. On the left is a memorial to the Allied Airmen who died in the Cheviots during the Second World War. Turn right along the road and after 100 metres bear left onto a footpath signed to Trowupburn. Initially a narrow path, continue ahead ignoring the path going left to the hill fort on Blackhaggs Rigg. The path soon enters forest. Cross Whitehall Burn and bar half left through trees to reach a track. Go straight across and follow the little-used path through trees to reach a clear track. Turn left uphill and where the main track bends left, continue ahead along a grassy path.
Reaching the end of the forest (grid ref. NT879261) continue ahead for a short way and then bear right downhill heading for Trowupburn Farm. Continue past the farm (on your right) to join a tarmac lane heading uphill. After 400 metres turn right onto a signed footpath to Great Hetha. Follow the grassy track uphill with several way markers to reach the hill fort earthworks on top of Great Hetha. The view from the summit is outstanding. Continue following way markers downhill to reach the left-hand corner of a plantation. Turn right along the edge of the plantation and continue down to the private road used earlier in the walk. Turn left along the road back to the start.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL16 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL16 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
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.
More information
Hadrian's Wall Path
Hadrians Wall Path guidebook to walk the 84 mile National Trail. Described in both directions, the main description is west to east between Bowness-on-Solway and Wallsend, Newcastle, with extensions to Maryport and South Shields. With extensive historical information related to this World Heritage site and separate 1:25,000 OS map booklet included.
More information
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
