10.3 miles
Explorer Map No OL31 - North Pennines
The route described here is strenuous, and involves a lot
of travel over unmarked tracks and footpaths. The ground is very difficult,
with plenty of coarse grass and bogs to cross, and there are steep ascents
and descents.
It is ABSOLUTELY essential to use your map and compass over the moorland
sections. Not only are the tracks not marked, but there are plenty of
shake holes and relics of lead mining to cause problems.
This route should NOT be undertaken by anybody not experienced
in fell walking, and who isn't reasonably fit.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Some new mapping software is now availabe 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 Bowlees Picnic Area, near Newbiggin (NY90776
28299).
Leave the picnic area past the Information Centre, taking the farm
track North West as though you were heading for Dirt Pit. However,
almost immediately take the footpath North that leads to Broadley's
Gate Farm (NY90821 29759). This footpath is marked in places, but
the walker should use map and compass to follow it accurately.
From Broadley's Gate Farm take the farm track to Watson's Bridge (NY91006
30174).
Here, cross the road and take the farm track to the disused lead mine
at Flushiemere House (NY90921 31044).
Retrace your steps to Watson's Bridge, and then follow the road to
Moor House (NY91226 29739).
From here take the Bridle Way almost due West to Hudes Hope. However,
note that although the path is sign posted as a Bridle Way there is
no actual path to follow. You MUST use your compass to follow the
route.
When you reach the wall at the top of the slope, turn right until
you come to the reservoir. Keep the wall on your left.
Past the reservoir there is a peat bog which you need to skirt round,
and then descend steeply into the Coldberry Gutter.
Turn left in the Gutter to descend towards Hudeshope.
About half way down the descent, turn right and climb up to the moor
land. Here make your way visually down to the mine workshop.
Take the road South to Club Gill Syke, and follow the footpath where
it leaves the road at NY94211 28334.
From here to Newbiggin the footpath follows rough pastureland.
You need to us e the 1 : 25000 map to check field patterns, and a
compass to follow the correct direction.
In places the footpath is faint to non-existent, and there is always
the danger of following animal tracks.
Follow the road into, and then through Newbiggin.
On the road out of Newbiggin, a footpath on the left leads directly
to the Bowlees Picnic Area.