The Coastline at St Abbs The coastline at St Abbs is very special. The walk to St Abbs Head undulates high above a rocky coastline and a mecca for seabirds and crashing waves. A short coastal path to the south leads to the fine bay at Coldingham. Between the two lies the fishing village of St Abbs. The Walk The 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 5.5mi Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km 300m Elevation: 300m / 984ft
Windy Gyle Windy Gyle straddles the English/Scottish border. It is part of a long undulating ridge which culminates at Cheviot. However it is a fine mountain in its own right, approached on this occasion from the Upper Coquet valley to the south. The Walk I have been advised that the climb of Windy Gyle is the best 4 Rating: Moderate and over 10 miles 10mi Distance: 10 miles / 16 km 570m Elevation: 570m / 1870ft
Ford & Etal Historical Walk Sandwiched between Wooler and the Scottish border is the Ford and Etail estate. Linking them makes for a pleasant, mixed terrain walk full of historical interest. Any walk bookended by two castles has to be interesting! The Walk I prefer to start the Ford & Etal historical walk at the northerly castle at Etal. Then 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 5.5mi Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km 105m Elevation: 105m / 344ft
Thrunton Wood and Long Crag Thrunton Wood and Long Crag make a very enjoyable walk from the east (just off the A697). The myriad of forestry tracks are straightforward to follow and the views from Croe Crags and ultimately Long Crag are very impressive. The Walk This is a walk through the forest, much of it desolate. At the start 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 5mi Distance: 5 miles / 8 km 180m Elevation: 180m / 590ft
Bamburgh to Budle Bay walk Bamburgh can be very busy, Budle Bay is not. Budle Bay lies barely a mile and a half to the north of Bamburgh and is a wonderful stretch of sand with views over Ross Sands to Holy Island. Approach the bay with a walk close to the sea and return via the elevated golf course 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 5mi Distance: 5 miles / 8 km 70m Elevation: 70m / 229ft
From Beadnell to Bamburgh The 7 mile walk from Beadnell to Bamburgh covers the best of the Northumberland Coast. Beadnell Bay and the beach approaching Bamburgh from Islestone rocks are beautiful stretches of golden sands backed by grassy dunes. The contrasting villages of Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh add much to the walk. The Walk Start the walk by driving 3 Rating: Moderate walk 7.5mi Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km 70m Elevation: 70m / 229ft
Dunmoor Hill and Linhope Spout Linhope Spout is a popular shore walk from Hartside. However a much more enjoyable, and admittedly harder option, is to combine Dunmoor Hill and Linhope Spout is one walk of 7 miles. The views from Dunmoor Hill are excellent, dominated by the impressive Hedgehope Hill to the west. The Walk The Breamish Valley, heading west 3 Rating: Moderate walk 8mi Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 km 420m Elevation: 420m / 1378ft
Alnwick to Alnmouth walk The walk from Alnwick to Alnmouth follows the steam railway line, some open countryside before arriving at the coast at Foxton Golf Club. The final mile can either follow the sands or stick to the path through the golf course. A regular bus service will return you to Alnwick. The Walk Many people stay or 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 6.5mi Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4 km 110m Elevation: 110m / 360ft
Gilsland and Birdoswald Fort on Hadrian’s Wall Birdoswald is one of the best preserved forts on Hadrian’s Wall. It lies on the western edge of the most interesting section of the wall and is best approached from the village of Gilsland. From Gilsland to Birdoswald is only 2 miles so I have extended the walk along the wall with a return via 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 7.5mi Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km 180m Elevation: 180m / 590ft
Holy Island & the Pilgrim’s Way Any visit to Holy Island (or Lindisfarne) makes for a fantastic day out. However the day is greatly enhanced by completing a circuit of the island and taking to the memorable 3 mile sands of the Pilgrim’s Way. Pilgrim’s Way is memorable. The walk around the island is interesting and typical of the Northumbrian Coast. 3 Rating: Moderate walk 8.5mi Distance: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km 50m Elevation: 50m / 164ft
Alwinton & Upper Coquetdale Alwinton provides the base for an exploration of the moors, hills and valleys of Upper Coquetdale. The views are far reaching but I most enjoyed the walk alongside Usway Burn, hemmed in by the steep slopes on either side. The Walk There is nothing I enjoy more than planning a walk through an unexplored landscape. 4 Rating: Moderate and over 10 miles 10.5mi Distance: 10.5 miles / 16.8 km 510m Elevation: 510m / 1673ft
The Cheviot The Cheviot is the highest mountain in Northumberland (815m). It is part of a high generally featureless plateau, typical of much of the area. The summit has fortunately been partially paved on its upper slopes, a benefit of being on the Pennine Way. The return is via the Harthope Valley or a more arduous crossing 5 Rating: Difficult walk 11.5mi Distance: 11.5 miles / 18.4 km 880m Elevation: 880m / 2887ft
