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Home> Walks> Pennine Way: Stonehaugh to Bellingham

Pennine Way: Stonehaugh to Bellingham

Recommended by
Walk directions

Cross the road and continue along the Pennine Way, soon entering the forest.

The trees end at another block of moorland: the side of Broadpool Common. The path is indistinct: it briefly heads northeast before swinging north, following the flank of a burn, past a tiny waterfall and downhill, then up beside a wall and over the brow into the valley of the Warks Burn. The route descends beside a fence, then turns right, over a ladder stile and past a hay barn, before dropping down between rocky clefts to the attractive Warks Burn.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Some road walking; forest track; moorland, sometimes pathless; fields and rough grazing
  Landscape  - Forest, moors and farmland
  Dog friendliness  - On lead at all times
  Parking  - Limited roadside parking in Stonehaugh; ample parking in Bellingham
  Toilets en route  - None on route
About the walk
Forests, moorland, farms and rough grazing are the order of the day on this section of the Pennine Way as it heads through the sparsely populated borderlands of Northumberland. As you slowly head north, gradually nearing Scotland, you’ll hardly see a soul: sheep will be your most common companions....
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About the area
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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Stonehaugh Campsite
★★★
award
"Get back to nature on tranquil site in wonderful setting...."
Self-Catering
Warksburn Old Church
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A luxury church conversion offering outstanding eco credentials...."
  • Private garden
  • Lawn area
  • Garden furniture
  • Dish washer
Self-Catering
Warksburn Old Church
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A luxury church conversion offering outstanding eco credentials...."
  • Total units: 1
Nearby places to stay
Stonehaugh Campsite
Stonehaugh is a quiet and relaxed rural site situated in the stunning Northumberland National Park between Kielder Water, Hadrians Wall and Hexham. It is set in beautiful moorland on th...
★★★    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
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
Old Repeater Station
Old Repeater Station started life as one of several buildings used as repeater stations on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line. Now converted into a bed and breakfast, it enjoys an e...
★★★★    Rating
Hall Barns B&B
Hall Barns B&B is a detached farmhouse located on the edge of Hadrian’s Wall. A working farm, the property has been refurbished to a high standard in both the comfortable en-suite bedro...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Riverdale Hall Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
The Pheasant Inn
Places to eat nearby
Riverdale Hall Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
The Pheasant Inn
Emerald Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of Wellington Inn
The Duke of Wellington Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
3hrs 45min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
7.5 miles (12.1kms)

Ascent:
928ft (283m)

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Pennine Way: Stonehaugh to Bellingham

Recommended by
Walk details
3hrs 45min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
7.5 miles (12.1kms)
Ascent:
928ft (283m)
Walk directions

Cross the road and continue along the Pennine Way, soon entering the forest.
1 of 5

The trees end at another block of moorland: the side of Broadpool Common. The path is indistinct: it briefly heads northeast before swinging north, following the flank of a burn, past a tiny waterfall and downhill, then up beside a wall and over the brow into the valley of the Warks Burn. The route descends beside a fence, then turns right, over a ladder stile and past a hay barn, before dropping down between rocky clefts to the attractive Warks Burn.
2 of 5

After crossing the footbridge, the character of the land begins to change – to less open moorland and more green pasture, as the route climbs through damp woodland and across a field to Horneystead, then from field to field and farm to farm. Past The Ash and Leadgate and across a side-road, the Way leads to Lowstead. The route then follows an access track above the Blacka Burn. Keep right as a side lane goes left to Linacres Farm.
3 of 5

At a junction, the route turns left and passes a small grassed-over quarry and an outstanding example of cordrigging (narrow ridge-and-furrow ploughing) over the pasture on the left. There was a Romano-British settlement here; the ruins are thinly covered and are easy to make out and the fields were intensively cultivated. The farm produce, probably barley, was sent to feed the occupying Roman army. At the next road junction the route crosses a stile straight ahead and follows the edges of the fields over the hill and down to the Houxty Burn.
4 of 5

Having crossed the footbridge, go right, cross a tributary bridge and then go through the gate on the left to follow a track to the farm at Shitlington Hall. Go down a track on the left before turning right to follow the field-edge again all the way up to Shitlington Crags. The sandstone outcrop is easy to climb via a short flight of rough-stone slabs; the path is clear once you have spotted it from the track just below. The views, all the way down to Hadrian’s Wall and beyond, are very fine if the light is with you. From here the route is clear, uphill again over moorland, making for the wall at the very top of the ridge, to the left of the radar mast. Again, the views are excellent.
5 of 5
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Some road walking; forest track; moorland, sometimes pathless; fields and rough grazing
  Landscape - Forest, moors and farmland
  Dog friendliness - On lead at all times
  Parking - Limited roadside parking in Stonehaugh; ample parking in Bellingham
  Toilets en route - None on route
About the walk
Forests, moorland, farms and rough grazing are the order of the day on this section of the Pennine Way as it heads through the sparsely populated borderlands of Northumberland. As you slowly head north, gradually nearing Scotland, you’ll hardly see a soul: sheep will be your most common companions....
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
Stonehaugh Campsite
★★★
award
"Get back to nature on tranquil site in wonderful setting...."
Self-Catering
Warksburn Old Church
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A luxury church conversion offering outstanding eco credentials...."
  • Private garden
  • Lawn area
  • Garden furniture
  • Dish washer
Self-Catering
Warksburn Old Church
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A luxury church conversion offering outstanding eco credentials...."
  • Total units: 1
Nearby places to stay
Stonehaugh Campsite
Stonehaugh is a quiet and relaxed rural site situated in the stunning Northumberland National Park between Kielder Water, Hadrians Wall and Hexham. It is set in beautiful moorland on th...
★★★    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
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
Old Repeater Station
Old Repeater Station started life as one of several buildings used as repeater stations on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line. Now converted into a bed and breakfast, it enjoys an e...
★★★★    Rating
Hall Barns B&B
Hall Barns B&B is a detached farmhouse located on the edge of Hadrian’s Wall. A working farm, the property has been refurbished to a high standard in both the comfortable en-suite bedro...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Riverdale Hall Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
The Pheasant Inn
Places to eat nearby
Riverdale Hall Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Langley Castle
The Pheasant Inn
Emerald Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest
   AA Rosette Award
Duke of Wellington Inn
The Duke of Wellington Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby