Exploring the Breamish Valley
Just beyond the roadside parking at Hartside, turn left off the lane onto a track signed to Alnhammoor. Dropping to a bend, it swings below the slopes of Hartside Hill and then turns again to run above the River Breamish. Follow it over a bridge, climbing towards Alnhammoor Farm. However, before reaching the buildings, leave the track to a stile beside a gate on the left. Cross a rough enclosure below the farmhouse, exiting through a small gate in the far left corner onto another track. Climb right past the farm, keeping ahead where the track then turns into a yard. Carry on to the corner of the fence and then bear right to a wall stile, crossing back out to the main track.
Follow it left for 3 miles (4.8km), climbing past Meggrim's Knowe and continuing around the northern flank of Shill Moor. Beyond Snout End the way gradually falls into the narrow valley, running on above the river to Low Bleakhope. Approaching the farm, fork right and carry on up the glen, later crossing a bridge to reach High Bleakhope. Keep ahead beyond the buildings, the track degrading to gravel, and walk for another 0.5 miles (800m) beyond two small plantations.
Approaching a gate some 100yds (91m) beyond the second plantation, look for a waypost beside the track. Turn sharp right across soft ground before climbing to a gate partway up the hillside. Guided by occasional wayposts, continue steeply uphill, ignoring a crossing track and eventually levelling to another gate. Walk on over High Cantle to a third gate and stile. A faint trail runs across the empty moor for 0.75 miles (1.2km) to a pile of stones on Rig Cairn. Gently descending beyond, the way snakes for a mile (1.6km) to a gate. The onward trail carries on downhill towards forest, passing through another gate before meeting a broad track. Go right.
After 75yds (69m), a path leaving sharp left leads to the pretty waterfall of Linhope Spout, 0.25 miles (400m) away. Go back to the main track and continue beside the forest, keeping left past a junction to wind down to the cottages at Linhope.
Swing right to follow the lane ahead across a bridge over Linhope Burn. After some 150yds (137m), take a track off to the left. Follow it to the corner of the forest and then climb left beside the trees. At the top, in a fold below the steeper slope of the hill above, is the extensive settlement site of Grieve's Ash. Return to the lane and follow it left for 0.75 miles (1.2km) back to Hartside.
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Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
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