Walk bookings

Spring Walking Festival 2012

Full programme details are given below

Booking is open for Haltwhistle Challenge 2012

Date	Walk name	Grade	Length	Cost
28th	1 Loughs and Crags Day One	Moderate +	13m
28th	2 The Wonders South of Haltwhistle	Moderate +	7m
29th	3 Loughs and Crags Day Two	Moderate +	13m
29th	4 From Highs to Lows and Back Again	Moderate +	6m
30th	5 Haydon Bridge Circular	Moderate	9m
	6 Real Ale Walk	Moderate	8m
	7 Alpaca Walk (with talk and tea) 1 vacancy	Moderate	6m
	8 Lazy Dawn Chorus	Easy/mod.	5m
1st	9 Two Forests - No Trees!	Strenuous	14m
	10 Lanercost Circular	Moderate	7m
	11 Evening walk: Over Hills and Dales	Moderate	5m
2nd	12 Three Counties in a Day	Strenuous	12m
	13 Haltwhistle Circular via Cawfields	Moderate	8m
	14 Conservation on an Organic Farm	Moderate	6-7m
3rd	15 Wall, Fallowfield and St Oswald’s	Moderate	12m
	16 A Fortifying Experience	Moderate	7m
	17 Woodland Bird Walk 1	Moderate	7m
4th	18 Kirkstyle Figure of Eight	Moderate	10m
	19 Singing Walk	Easy/mod.	4 -5m
	20 Walking for Health (booking details*)	Easy	1-2m
5th	21 Hexham to Haltwhistle Day One Hexham to Blanchland	Strenuous	13m	£10 or †
	22 Beacon to Bastle	Moderate	7m
	23 Woodland Bird Walk 2	Moderate	7m
	24 Drumming Walk	Easy	2 -3m
	25 Social Evening at Comrades Club
6th	26 Hexham to Haltwhistle Day 2 Blanchland to Burn Tongues	Strenuous	14m	£10 or †
6th	27 Knarsdale Circular	Moderate	7.5m
7th	28 Hexham to Haltwhistle Day 3 Burn Tongues to Haltwhistle (book all 3†)	Strenuous	14m	£8 or †
	29 Haltwhistle Circular via Birchfield Gate	Moderate	8m
	30 Hexham to Haltwhistle - discount option for all three days †	Strenuous		£22 all 3 †

Booking arrangements

Before you book, please read the Things You Need to Know section

If you have any queries, please contact us on 01434 322025

All bookings for walks are through our booking agents, Bradsons

(except the Walking for Health walk)

Book online via www.bradsons.co.uk

or by phone (for credit/debit card or cheque)

on 01749 813899

Mon 30th April

5. Haydon Bridge Circular

From Haydon Bridge we gain height as we climb towards Allen Banks National Trust area, passing the lovely Moralee tarn. Descending we travel to the East Allen river. Lunch will be at Allen Banks car park. After lunch we follow the road out of Allen Banks, and take a path on the north side of the river South Tyne. This gives great views over the Tyne Valley and Haydon Bridge. There are some steep ascents and descents on this walk which is mostly on farm tracks and field paths. There are stiles to cross, but the views over the South Tyne from both north and south of the river are well worth the climbs. The peaceful descent and walk along the Allen River is very calming.
Meet at: 10.00am, Library car park near railway station, Haydon Bridge (Grid ref. 843645)
Distance: 9 miles (4-5 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Cliff Wood

Mon 30th April

6. Real Ale Walk

The ever popular Real Ale Walk. This is not a pub crawl; you have a good walk to build up a thirst! Previously this walk has been on Fridays, but requests were received to move it to another day for a change.

Meet at: 11.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 7 - 8 miles
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Other information: Return to Haltwhistle by service bus (bring bus fare/bus pass). Bring packed lunch
Leader: David Laurie

Mon 30th April

7. Alpaca Walk

The walk takes us to a lovely part of Northumberland, above the village of Wall. We will visit the site of a famous battle, see St Oswald’s church and meet the alpacas at Fallowfield. Their owner will talk about them and answer questions. We then wend our way across Fallowfield Fell and return to St. Oswald’s tea room via Hadrian’s Wall trail. At the end of the walk we will enjoy afternoon tea provided by Elizabeth Archer and her team.

Meet: 11.00am at St Oswald’s Hill Head Farm on B6318 east of Chollerford. Park in the tearoom car park
(Grid ref. 942694)
Distance: 6 miles (4 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £10 (includes tea)
Bring: Light packed lunch
Leader: Brian Walters

Mon 30th April

8. Lazy Dawn Chorus

Our usual stroll in the early morning; we should see swallows, sand martins, house martins & swifts, plus willow warblers, chiff-chaffs and various finches and tits. The breeding season will be in full swing and the birds will be singing, giving us a good opportunity to learn to identify them by song.

Meet at: 07.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 5 miles (3-4 hours)
Grade: Easy to moderate
Walk Fee: £10 includes breakfast (vegetarian option if requested in advance)
Bring: Binoculars
Leader: Nick Leeming

Tues 1st May

9. Two Forests – No Trees!

Starting from the village of Tindale, this walk takes in Bruthwaite Forest and the King’s Forest of Geltsdale. We pass through the RSPB Geltsdale reserve with excellent views of Tindale Tarn as well as the moorland areas. We are mainly on tracks and paths but some bits are wet and some are steep. (Would you expect anything else?) There is a lot of industrial archaeology and also many modern conservation initiatives on the route, so there will be several “did you knows”, between which the pace will be kept fairly brisk! There are many excellent viewpoints, where the leader can pause for breath. Put this bit of England on your “must visit before I die” list, and remember life is short.... but not too short to take part in the Haltwhistle Walking Festival Spring 2012.

Meet at: 10.00am, Tindale Village (Grid ref. 617593)
Distance: 14 miles (7 hours)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Harry Kay

Tues 1st May

10. Lanercost Circular

This delightful walk explores the section of the river Irthing that flows through Lanercost. We pass by the stunning red sandstone Lanercost Priory and a section of Hadrian’s Wall. We use a combination of quiet lanes, farm paths and woodland trails and pass through small villages en route.

Meet at: 10.00am, Lanercost Tearooms (Grid ref. 553633)
Distance: 7 miles (3-4 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Jennifer Gough

Tues 1st May

11. Evening walk “Over Hills and Dales”

We leave Haltwhistle along the riverside path to the Bellister Estate and then walk over the fields to Broomhouse Common. After reaching the beautiful Park Burn Waterfall, we climb up, pass the derelict Warren House and slowly make our way past the tranquil hidden lake which is surrounded by forest. We return to Haltwhistle via Plenmeller Village. This is a shorter version of walk 2.

Meet at: 6.00pm, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 5 miles (2-3 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: hot drink and snack if desired

Leader: Colin Mills

Wed 2nd May

12. Three Counties

Starting from the extensive ruins of the Carrshield lead mines, we make our way up over open moorland before heading down into the lush Nent Valley. Joining the legendary Isaac's Tea Trail for a short distance, we continue to the meeting point of Northumberland, Cumbria and County Durham.

Meet at: 10.00am, Carrshield old mine workings (Map OL31, Grid ref. 804468)
Distance: 12 miles (6 hours)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: David Laurie

Wed 2nd May

13. Haltwhistle Circular (via Cawfields)

This excellent walk starts with a gentle stroll beside the Haltwhistle Burn to Cawfields. The ups and downs of the Wall follow, until we reach its highest point at Winshield Crags. The views here are amazing and we can enjoy them as we lunch. We leave the Wall here, and return to Haltwhistle via the old Melkridge Tilery, Hallpeatmoss and Hollin Crags.

Meet at: 10.30am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 8 miles (4 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Ian Walton

Wed 2nd May

14. Conservation at an Organic Farm (plus tea)

Diane and Eric Horn of Slack House Organic Farm are our hosts for this walk. Diane will explain about the farming methods in use on the farm, including bird conservation and growing hay meadows. Eric is a cheese maker and there will be time to hear about the processes used in producing Birdoswald Cheese. Before leaving the farm we will have afternoon tea in the Scypen.

Meet at: 11:00am, Birdoswald car park (parking charges apply) (Grid ref. 616 664)
Distance: 6 – 7 miles (4+ hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £10 (includes tea)
Bring: Light packed lunch
Leader: Marjorie Baillie

Thurs 3rd May

15. Wall, Fallowfield and St Oswald’s

This delightful walk takes us to an area new to our festival. We walk uphill from Wall Village to St Oswald’s church, using the Hadrian’s Wall Trail. There is plenty of Roman interest in this area. The views of the North Tyne valley are good. We see evidence of the industrial past and visit an old pele tower. The rest of the route includes Hangman’s Hill and Fallowfield Fell. We pass close to the fields of alpacas on our return route.

Meet at: 10:00am, lay-by north of Wall village on B6079 (Grid ref. 917693)
Distance: 12 miles (6 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: Packed lunch
Leader: Marjorie Baillie

Thurs 3rd May

16. A Fortifying Experience

By popular request we are returning to the South Tyne valley: a highlight is lunch in Featherstone Castle. The walk itself has plenty of variety and interest – some moorland, secluded valleys, isolated farms and the sheltered South Tyne riverside. Food is provided by Walking Festival volunteers. Numbers limited. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Meet at: 10.30am, Lambley parking area on A689 (Grid ref. 671584)
Distance: 7 miles
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £10 includes lunch (vegetarian option if requested)
Bring: flask of coffee only!
Leader: Jennifer Johnson

Thurs 3rd May

17. Woodland Bird Walk (1)

From Haltwhistle the walk takes us along the river to the bluebell woods. Most of the migrants should have returned and the resident birds should be breeding. We hope to see a variety of birds including tree creepers, pied flycatchers & nuthatches. At Park Burn Foot we will look for dippers and grey wagtails. Higher up, redshanks, curlew and lapwing should be calling. We anticipate seeing 30 to 40 species throughout the day depending on the weather.

Meet at: 10.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 7 miles (6-7 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch, binoculars
Leader: Nick Leeming
Fri 4th May

18. Kirkstyle Figure of Eight

This is the return of a very popular walk. It consists of two parts that both explore the upper and lower reaches of the Knar Valley. Part One takes us along the road to the picturesque Eals Bridge before ascending to the upper level. We pass through the Bog Farm which is possibly the tidiest and cleanest farm you are likely to see. From the highest part of the route we see views of the Knar Valley before descending to the River Knar. This is followed by a glimpse of the village of Slaggyford before returning to the starting point via the Pennine Way. We eat our packed lunch at the Slaggyford Community Centre. The second part of the walk goes further west and south, once again climbing for good views. The north Pennines may be seen from here. A gradual descent takes us to the Knar Bridge and we return by the riverside.
Meet at: 10.00am, Knarsdale and Kirkhaugh Community Hall, commonly called Slaggyford Community Hall. (Grid ref. 677539) Photo
Distance: 10 miles
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Ian Walton

Fri 4th May

19. Singing Walk with Bridie Jackson

Fun can be guaranteed on this walk! Bridie is the inspirational leader of the Haltwhistle-based Hadrian Singers. She is also leader of the Silver Programme at The Sage Gateshead. Walkers will learn and sing new songs, stopping at various points on the walk. We will finish up in Haltwhistle’s lovely 13th century Holy Cross church, to perform what we have learned. This was sold out early in 2011 so do book as soon as possible.

Meet at: 11.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 4-5 miles
Grade: Easy with gentle climbs
Walk Fee: £10 (includes tea in church)
Bring: light lunch
Leader: Jean Fuller

Fri 4th May

20. Walking for Health

A short interesting walk around Walltown Quarry (on Hadrian’s Wall Trail), with visit to the Peace Labyrinth.
This walk is a joint venture between Haltwhistle Walking Festival and the West Northumberland Health Walks to provide a festival walk. The leader, Chirsty Henderson, is a regular leader for the Haltwhistle Health Walks on Tuesdays. We hope that walkers from all the West Northumberland Health Walks and from the rest of Northumberland will come along and meet each other. People who have not tried a health walk will be most welcome. This could be your chance to start walking.

Meet at: 2.00pm, Walltown Quarry car park, parking fee £3 (2011 price) (Grid ref. 668659)
Distance: 2 miles
Grade: Easy with one short incline. The pace will be very gentle with frequent stops.
Walk Fee: FREE, but booking is essential because places are limited to 25 walkers
Other information: Walkers may wish to arrive before the walk and eat a packed lunch at the Quarry where there are picnic tables, hot drinks and snacks available. Public toilets are available here.
Booking to be made by telephoning 01434 322025 or email haltywalkfest@btinternet.com
Leader: Chirsty Henderson

Sat 5th May

21. Hexham to Haltwhistle - Day 1

Hexham to Blanchland
We have designed a three day walk to please walkers who want to stretch themselves.
You may do 1 day, 2 days or better still do all three and claim a discount!. It is up to you and you know your capabilities.

Day 1 – This walk takes us from Hexham to Blanchland through woods, over moors and across the fells. We should have some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Meet at: 08.20am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641) for 08.30am coach to Hexham. (The return coach is from Blanchland to Haltwhistle.)
Distance: 13miles (all day)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £10 (or £22 to book all three days – option 30 when booking)
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: David Laurie

Sat 5th May

22. Beacon to Bastle

We start with a lovely section along the river to Catton, climbing up to the Old Town. The Catton masts are now visible and are our next destination. From the top we enjoy spectacular views of the Allen Valley to the south and, on a good day, the Cheviots to the North. We continue downhill into the village and pass by the bastle. The final section includes a short climb to Housty farm and back to Allendale.

Meet at: 10.00am, Allendale Market Place (Grid ref. 837558)
Distance: 7 miles (3-4 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Ann Potter

Sat 5th May

23. Woodland Bird Walk 2

This is a second chance to join this very popular walk – both are usually sold out, so book early to avoid disappointment.
From Haltwhistle the walk takes us along the river to the bluebell woods. Most of the migrants should have returned and the resident birds should be breeding. We hope to see a variety of birds including tree creepers, pied flycatchers & nuthatches. At Park Burn Foot we will look for dippers and grey wagtails. Higher up, redshanks, curlew and lapwing should be calling. We anticipate seeing 30 to 40 species throughout the day depending on the weather.

Meet at: 10.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 7 miles (6-7 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch, binoculars
Leader: Nick Leeming

Sat 5th May

24. Drumming Walk

This is a new event for the Festival and is likely to be very popular. Under the leadership of Michael Freeman the day will start with rhythms, chants and clapping. The first part of the walk, beside Haltwhistle Burn, will be without instruments, but using the rhythms we have learnt as we walk. After lunch there will be the opportunity to make instruments from recycled materials and to use these. There will also be large stage junk instruments to play. The walk will be based around Haltwhistle Market Place and Holy Cross church (which will provide a wet weather alternative for instrument making).
This event is for all ages from 8 upwards. Children are welcome but they must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. No more than 2 children per adult please. Unaccompanied adults will also be very welcome.
Come and join the fun – it is a Haltwhistle Walking Festival first.

Meet: 11.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 2 - 3 miles
Grade: Easy
Walk Fee: £3
Bring: Packed lunch
Leaders: Michael Freeman and Julie Harrison
This walk is sponsored by Craftwrite Environmental Arts

Sat 5th May

25. Walkers’ Social Evening

Enjoy what will be a fun evening and one of Carol’s wonderful buffets. Entertainment for the evening is by Amy, Haltwhistle’s singing barber, and Nick Leeming, our Northumbrian Piper. We guarantee you will be tapping your feet, singing along and even dancing (not compulsory)!!

Meet at: 7.00pm, Haltwhistle Comrades Club
Cost: £12

Sun 6th May

26. Hexham to Haltwhistle – Day 2

Blanchland to Burn Tongues
We pick up the route at Blanchland and walk across open access land, past many cleughs and traverse many different fells and commons. Again expect some great views.

Meet at: 08.20am, for 08.30am coach from Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641) to Blanchland. Return coach to Haltwhistle from Burn Tongues.
Distance: 14 miles (all day)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £10 (or £22 to book all 3 days, choose option30 when booking)
Bring: Packed lunch
Leader: Harry Kay

Sun 6th May

27. Knarsdale Circular

In Springtime this is such a pretty walk. It explores one of the most delightful and historic parts of the South Tyne Valley. We pass Old Knarsdale Hall, built in the 13th Century, and later the 14th Century Manor of Williamston.

Meet at: 10.00am, Knarsdale and Kirkhaugh Community Hall, commonly called Slaggyford Community Hall. (Grid ref. 677539) Photo
Distance: 7.5 miles (3- 4 hours)
Grade: Moderate
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Tim Patterson

Monday 7th May

28. Hexham to Haltwhistle – Day 3

Burn Tongues to Haltwhistle

Join us for the final day of this brilliant walk. After a short distance across fields and meadows, we begin to see the more familiar areas of Haining Hill, Rockhouse Fell, Todhillwood, the Ramshaws and Lynnshields Waterfall. We cross Broomhouse Common and gain the first view of Haltwhistle; home at last.

Meet at: 08.20am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641) for 08.30am coach to Burn Tongues.
Distance: 14 miles (7 hours)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £8 (or £22 to book all three days – option 30 when booking)
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Tony Miller

Monday 7th May

29. Haltwhistle Circular (via Birchfield Gate)

We walk westwards to Birchfield Gate and then turn north to make our way along the Vallum to Hadrian’s Wall. After the splendid remains of Aesica Fort, we arrive at Cawfields Quarry for a well deserved comfort stop. The second half of this walk turns south over the Oaky Knowe and Hollin Crags, where we will find great views looking back towards the Wall. We head home to the east of Haltwhistle at Townfoot. If you want a shorter option, or if you need to leave early for the journey home, we are providing a shorter option of 6 miles. Walkers will return to Haltwhistle from Aesica.

Meet at: 10.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 8 miles (4 hours) or 6 miles for the shorter option
Grade: Moderate
Walk fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Maxine Graville

Sat 28th April

1. Loughs and Crags Day 1

The first section of a brilliant 2 day walk covering what is widely accepted as the best of the Wall. We travel both along the Wall and off the Wall for the best of views both of the surrounding area, but also of the Wall itself stretching both East and West. Day One is a circular walk from Haltwhistle. The route goes between Aesica Fort and Crag Lough and then circles the Lough for the best views.

Meet at: 10.00am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 13 miles (6-7 hours)
Grade: Moderate plus
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Marie Miller

Sat 28th April

2. The Wonders South of Haltwhistle

We follow the river through the North Woods to Park Village, then on to the Park Burn Waterfall. After lunch we climb up past the now derelict Warren House to a well hidden lake, lying ranquil and still, surrounded by forest. We return to Haltwhistle via Plenmeller Village. This is a longer version of walk 11.

Meet at: 10.30am, Haltwhistle Market Place (Grid ref. 707641)
Distance: 7 miles (3-4 hours)
Grade: Moderate plus
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Jennifer Johnson

Sun 29th April

3. Loughs & Crags Day 2

Five Loughs, a King, a Queen and a Dove
Today we start at Steel Rigg and stay north of Hadrian’s Wall throughout the day. This means we will have excellent views of the Wall and of the Whin Sill. The walk is partly on public footpaths and partly on open access land. The going may be boggy and rough in parts. Five loughs will be visited or viewed, plus a number of crags. The final lough, Greenlee, is crossed along its perimeter edge on the boardwalks. When the regular Wednesday walkers completed a version of this walk earlier in 2011, they agreed it was a good walk to include in the Festival.

Meet at: 10.00am, Steel Rigg car park (Grid ref.751676) parking fee £3 (2011 price)
Distance: 13 miles (6-7 hours)
Grade: Strenuous
Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Marjorie Baillie

Sun 29th April

4. From Highs to Lows and Back Again

Although only a short walk, it serves up sharp ascents and descents and finishes with a “sting in the tail”, a visit to the highest point on Hadrian’s Wall. There are views on both the north and the south side, a chance to see a “film star” and an iconic lough, much beloved by artists and photographers. As we descend, we will glimpse a famous Roman fort, then a section of pasture land before we turn north for the final ascent to the Wall.
Meet at: 10.30am, Steel Rigg car park (Grid ref. 751676) parking fee £3 (2011 price)
Distance: 6 miles (3-4 hours)
Grade: Moderate plus (mainly moderate, but there is a steep climb to Windshields Crags)

Walk Fee: £6
Bring: packed lunch
Leader: Brian Hart

Watch a short video of Michael’s work

Click here

Spring 2013 walks

Things you need to know