12.5 miles
Explorer Map 307, - "Consett & Derwent Reservoir"
This walk is definitely one to be kept for days when visibility
is good, as the principal attraction is the superb views to be
had.
However, if the visibility is poor, then the sections of the walk
which involve moorland footpaths would become quite unpleasant.
Although the walk is longer than the usual target of 10 miles,
it is not unduly arduous. There are two sections which involve
moorland crossings over tussock grass, cotton grass, and heather
which could be taxing.
Navigation is reasonably straightforward, though it is essential
to have a 1 : 25,000 map to hand to help identify field patterns.
It is also fairly essential to be able to use a compass.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Start from the village hall car park in Rookhope (NY93656
42550).
Take the track North Eastwards that starts from the corner where the
road comes into the village, almost opposite the Rookhope Inn. This
track goes fairly steeply uphill for the next mile or so, following
the Boltslaw Incline up to the remains of the old winding engine house.
From there the track levels out to cross the moorland.
Where the old track bed bends to the right, there is a faint moorland
footpath that heads almost due North. If you miss this path, head
for the footpath marker post that is on the boundary fence.
Continue Northwards on the footpath, and where you come to a junction
of footpaths turn right and head North Eastwards past a lone pine
tree. When you come to a gate in a boundary fence, don't go through
the gate but instead turn through 90 degrees and follow the footpath
to the Sikeshead Dam and the chimney.
At the chimney, take the footpath under the dam itself, which soon
takes you to a shooter's track.
Follow the track to the road, where you turn left until you come to
a footpath sign.
This footpath takes you first Eastwards and then Northwards all the
way to Blanchland.
From Blanchland, take the footpath through woodland South of the River
Derwent until you come to theroad leading to Baybridge.
Turn left and head uphill along the road.
On you right is a footpath signposted through the Deborah Plantation.
Follow the footpath until it emerges at the road. Turn right and follow
the road to Ramshaw.
At a very sharp bend in the road, continue South along the track to
the ruined mine workings at West Farm.
Here head West to the Whiteheaps Dam, and then South West over pasture
land to the Townfield-Rookhope road.
This section of the walk involves some fairly close study of field
patterns and use of the compass.
Head Southwards along the road until you come to a sharp right hand
bend.
On the other side of this bend, the footpath back to Rookhope is signposted.
This footpath goes over some fairly rough and uneven ground, and is
only faintly marked.