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Home> Walks> Pennine Way: Bellingham to Byrness

Pennine Way: Bellingham to Byrness

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Walk directions

From the middle of Bellingham, follow the West Woodburn Road for 0.5 miles (800m), then turn left along a track to Blakelaw Farm.

From the farm, the Pennine Way climbs up an open pasture, following posts, and eventually heading to the right of a block of pines. Through the gate, the route is soon on to open moorland below Callerhues Crag. You quickly reach a fingerpost. Bear right, heading north above the Hareshaw Burn, and below Hareshaw House. The ground is usually marshy and there are old coal workings littered around the hillsides. The route continues for 2 miles (3km) to reach the B6320.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Some road walking at start; farm paths; peaty paths across moorland; forest track
  Landscape  - Rough grazing, high heather moorland and forest
  Dog friendliness  - On lead at all times
  Parking  - Ample parking in Bellingham; roadside parking in Byrness
  Toilets en route  - At Blakehopeburnhaugh
About the walk
Make the most of the shops and other services in Bellingham before you set off on this walk because you won’t encounter any more facilities for many, many miles. There is a strong sense of wilderness about the heather country encountered on this section of the Pennine Way. This is enhanced by the...
Read more
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About the area
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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Demesne Farm Campsite
★★★
awardawardaward
"Close to Hadrian’s Wall..."
Hotel
Riverdale Hall Hotel
★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"A beautiful country house ideal for those who love the great outdoors..."
  • En-suite rooms:
  • Family rooms:
Caravan & Camping
Bellingham Camping & Caravanning Club Site
★★★★★
awardaward
"Customer care is a priority at this quality touring base...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Nearby places to stay
Demesne Farm Campsite
Demesne Farm Campsite was created in 1972, after the village bobby encouraged the farmer to provide walkers on the Pennine Way with somewhere to stay. Still a working farm, although its...
★★★    Rating
Riverdale Hall Hotel
In an idyllic setting on the banks of the River North Tyne, Riverdale Hall Hotel is a country house hotel with lovely country views and impressive leisure facilities. There’s an indoor ...
★★★    Rating
Bellingham Camping & Caravanning Club Site
A beautiful and peaceful campsite set in the glorious Northumberland National Park. It is exceptionally well managed by the enthusiastic owners who offer high levels of customer care, m...
★★★★★    Rating
Coachman's & Stable Cottages
The Coachman’s and Stable Cottages retain the character and fabric of the original 19th century stabling facilities whilst providing the comfort and convenience for a tranquil holiday. ...
★★★    Rating
Coachman's Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
Stable Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
Warksburn Old Church
Warksburn Old Church is an exceptional renovation of an iconic building, the world’s first Passivhaus-certified church conversion. High end luxury in a Net Zero home, with extensive vie...
★★★★★    Rating
Warksburn Old Church
Warksburn Old Church is an exceptional renovation of an iconic building, the world’s first Passivhaus-certified church conversion. High end luxury in a Net Zero home, with extensive vie...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Riverdale Hall Hotel
The Pheasant Inn
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
Places to eat nearby
Riverdale Hall Hotel
The Pheasant Inn
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
Emerald Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Wheat Heads
Duke of Wellington Inn
The Duke of Wellington Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
6hrs 45min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Hard

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
15.3 miles (24.6kms)

Ascent:
2103ft (641m)

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Pennine Way: Bellingham to Byrness

Recommended by
Walk details
6hrs 45min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
15.3 miles (24.6kms)
Ascent:
2103ft (641m)
Walk directions

From the middle of Bellingham, follow the West Woodburn Road for 0.5 miles (800m), then turn left along a track to Blakelaw Farm.

1 of 6

From the farm, the Pennine Way climbs up an open pasture, following posts, and eventually heading to the right of a block of pines. Through the gate, the route is soon on to open moorland below Callerhues Crag. You quickly reach a fingerpost. Bear right, heading north above the Hareshaw Burn, and below Hareshaw House. The ground is usually marshy and there are old coal workings littered around the hillsides. The route continues for 2 miles (3km) to reach the B6320.
2 of 6

The Pennine Way heads northeast from the road before swinging north on to higher ground and making for the stone cairn on the top of the distant hill called Deer Play. From the cairn and fingerpost on the brow of Deer Play, the route drops down over boggy ground and past some shake holes to make for the top of Whitley Pike; a fine-featured hill to the northwest. It then drops down to a minor road.
3 of 6

A wire fence and, later, a wall make the next few miles of the route easy to find: past Grey Mare rock and up to the ridge of Padon Hill. Its bell-shaped monument, to the right of the fence, is visible for miles. After Padon Hill, and still following the fence (and wall), the path heads northwest, then northeast, to the next open hilltop of Brownrigg Head. There are fine views of Redesdale and the Cheviot Hills, and of Otterburn, where one of the most famous border battles was fought in 1388. Turning left, northwest again, you approach the forest edge.
4 of 6

The route enters forest plantations and a long walk begins through dull conifer country. Eventually, the track descends into Redesdale.

5 of 6
Past the Forestry Commission car parking and toilets at Blakehopeburnhaugh, the route turns left along the east bank of the River Rede and meanders with it past picnic places and sallow groves to Cottonshopeburnfoot. These are the longest placenames in England! After crossing to the west bank of the river, the route follows a forest drive, then drops down to the right, across the river again and past tiny St Francis Church. The village of Byrness, built by the Forestry Commission for its workers in the days before mechanized harvesting, lies a few hundred yards along the A68, reached by turning left after the church. The road is fast and busy, leading up to Carter Bar and the border. Byrness village is the last provisioning point before the border ridge; there are no shops between here and Kirk Yetholm, 27 miles (43.5km) away. There is a youth hostel and bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Some road walking at start; farm paths; peaty paths across moorland; forest track
  Landscape - Rough grazing, high heather moorland and forest
  Dog friendliness - On lead at all times
  Parking - Ample parking in Bellingham; roadside parking in Byrness
  Toilets en route - At Blakehopeburnhaugh
About the walk
Make the most of the shops and other services in Bellingham before you set off on this walk because you won’t encounter any more facilities for many, many miles. There is a strong sense of wilderness about the heather country encountered on this section of the Pennine Way. This is enhanced by the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
not available. .
Explore

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Demesne Farm Campsite
★★★
awardawardaward
"Close to Hadrian’s Wall..."
Hotel
Riverdale Hall Hotel
★★★
awardawardawardawardaward
"A beautiful country house ideal for those who love the great outdoors..."
  • En-suite rooms:
  • Family rooms:
Caravan & Camping
Bellingham Camping & Caravanning Club Site
★★★★★
awardaward
"Customer care is a priority at this quality touring base...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Nearby places to stay
Demesne Farm Campsite
Demesne Farm Campsite was created in 1972, after the village bobby encouraged the farmer to provide walkers on the Pennine Way with somewhere to stay. Still a working farm, although its...
★★★    Rating
Riverdale Hall Hotel
In an idyllic setting on the banks of the River North Tyne, Riverdale Hall Hotel is a country house hotel with lovely country views and impressive leisure facilities. There’s an indoor ...
★★★    Rating
Bellingham Camping & Caravanning Club Site
A beautiful and peaceful campsite set in the glorious Northumberland National Park. It is exceptionally well managed by the enthusiastic owners who offer high levels of customer care, m...
★★★★★    Rating
Coachman's & Stable Cottages
The Coachman’s and Stable Cottages retain the character and fabric of the original 19th century stabling facilities whilst providing the comfort and convenience for a tranquil holiday. ...
★★★    Rating
Coachman's Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
Stable Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
Warksburn Old Church
Warksburn Old Church is an exceptional renovation of an iconic building, the world’s first Passivhaus-certified church conversion. High end luxury in a Net Zero home, with extensive vie...
★★★★★    Rating
Warksburn Old Church
Warksburn Old Church is an exceptional renovation of an iconic building, the world’s first Passivhaus-certified church conversion. High end luxury in a Net Zero home, with extensive vie...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Riverdale Hall Hotel
The Pheasant Inn
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
Places to eat nearby
Riverdale Hall Hotel
The Pheasant Inn
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
Emerald Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Three Wheat Heads
Duke of Wellington Inn
The Duke of Wellington Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby