10.3 miles.
Explorer Maps No OL43 & 307 - Hadrian's Wall / Consett &
Derwent Reservoir
A circular route in the North West
of Durham County that takes in farm tracks and open moorland walking.
It is absolutely essential to have a map and compass for this walk,
and to be prepared for the weather that can be involved with moorland
walking.
The walk is best done on a clear day, when the scenery from the top
of Hope Fell and Birkside Fell is superb.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the picnic area at Baybridge,
NY9575649960.
Take the lane that leads to Newbiggin Hall (although a prominent sign
says "Private", there is a footpath finger-post that is half-hidden
but directs you to Riddlehamhope).
Continue in a Westerly direction along first the lane and then the farm
track to the deserted settlement of Riddlehamhope.(NY9118649982).
Follow the farm track West until it swings North and you see a point
where the footpath leaves the track for the moorland (NY9079650123).
Head North East on a bearing of about 75 degrees along an indistinct
track, eventually descending steeply to go past a circular sheep fold
and meet the footpath where duck boards have been used to cross a marshy
area (NY9141050438).
Continue in an Easterly direction on a bearing of about 80 degrees.
Initially the path is quite clear, but then seems to disappear almost
completely. Head for the shooting hut at Blackborough Head (NY9330550908).
Take the footpath to the NORTH of this hut on a bearing of about 20
degrees North East, and continue to the point where there is a way mark
post at NY9370052569.
From here gead South East on a bearing of about 30 degrees, following
the track to Pennypie House.
Continue South East along the farm lane to Blanchland village, NY9657050359.
Return to Baybridge by the footpath that leaves Blanchland South of
the bridge over the river. Alternatively, there is a riverside footpath
on the North side of the beck.