Distance: 10.5 miles
Time: 4 hours
Terrain: Mainly clear-pathed hills. Some moorland, tracks & woodland
Route Rating: 9/10
Difficulty: 7/10
OS Map: Explorer OL 16 (The Cheviot Hills)
Intro: An extra incentive to get up and out was the disappointing finish to yesterday's walk, a circular from Langthwaite in the Yorkshire Dales. Six of us (Andy, Emma, Nicola, Nevs, Cathy & I) set out on a pleasant walk through muddy pastures although Nicola and I suffered more falls than Redemption (two each...and this despite my spanking new boots!). However, in the later stages, we encountered a difficult piece of navigation as the terrain had changed compared to that indicated in the guide book and with the wind howling and the rain and light closing in, we took the safe decision and headed back to the car and up in to Reeth for a pint of Black Sheep at The Black Bull. After contacting the book's author, who was extremely helpful, and reconsulting the map, I was able to put my mind at rest and now realise the route that should have been taken. This will be re-walked soon and posted on the site as it's a smashing day out.
On to the present walk, though! With the promise of a superb Sunday dinner ahead and Newcastle live on the television (a 3-2 win at Spurs!), Nevs & I headed out early and were raring to go by 9am. The weather was kind although the strong winds still made balancing (and hearing!) a little tricky. We set a strong pace but were rewarded with a superb walk which included a brief lunch in the sanctuary of a stone semi-circle atop Windy Gyle, providing welcome if brief respite from the gales!
Overview: A challenging but rewarding walk with stunning panoramic views of the Cheviot hills. Well signed and easy to navigate throughout, looking around is simply breathtaking as you ascend (and descend!) the remote peaks. Mainly undertaken on clear paths and old drovers' roads and a good stretch of it follows the border fence btween England & Scotland.
Description: To follow
Comments: Although reasonably strenous throughout, there is nothing unusual to point out. Often very windy though so, coupled with the cold, this should be guarded against with appropriate clothing. Strong footwear recommended too and small areas can get boggy. For more details, see the excellent Walking the Cheviots by Edward Baker (Sigma Leisure) which also contains a further 46 circular routes in these hills!
Post Walk Pint: Rose & Thistle, Alwinton (01669 650226). About 5 miles from the start / finish, this ever popular (with the author at least!) pub offers a decent pint and food as well as accommodation (it may pay to get there early for food on a Sunday as although it wasn't particularly busy, we arrived at 1.20pm and they were out of roast meat). There is a small, low-ceilinged bar with a pool table and also a larger lounge area (where children are welcomed) with a beer garden to the rear. Once again, I was met with the welcoming sight of Black Sheep on draught and the pump even appeared to make sheep sounds when pulled! At a very reasonable £2.20, it was a lovely, refreshing pint. Nevs seemed to enjoy the Guinness too!
Brief History: Windy Gyle is the fourth highest of the Cheviot Hills with its summit at 619m and on it stands Russell's Cairn. This was named in memory of Lord Francis Russell, a ranger in the area who was murdered at nearby Hexpethgate in 1585. The cairn itself, however, dates back to the Bronze Age. The cairn actually stands on the Scottish side of the border.
No comments:
Post a Comment