Walk 3646 - printer friendly version

Hethpool, Sutherland Bridge & Great Hetha Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km

Ascent - 1300 feet / 394 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NT894281
Lat 55.5464890 + Long -2.1695504
Postcode NE71 6TW (approx. location only)

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.

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