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Harthope Valley and Scald Hill, Cheviot Hills.

Introduction

This walk starts at the car park in the Harthope Valley near Langleeford and follows the popular route towards the Cheviot. At the top of Scald Hill, we walked back down to the valley floor at Langleeford Hope to form a circular walk.

We did this walk on a beautiful clear day in November providing tremendous views.

Distance - Just under 5 miles.

Parking - In the valley near Langleeford.

Toilets - None, nearest in Wooler.

View from Scald Hill.
View from the top of Scald Hill.

View from Scald Hill.
View from the south slopes of Scald Hill.

Walk

1) From the grassy car parking area we followed the road over Hawsen Burn and New Burn along the valley towards Langleeford. Golden bracken and trees glistened in the autumn sunshine below blue skies.

Leaving the car parking area.
Leaving the car parking area.

The road crosses the Hawsen Burn.
The road crosses the Hawsen Burn.

   

Ahead in the distance is The Cheviot.
Ahead in the distance is The Cheviot.

Golden autumn colours along the road.
Golden autumn colours along the road.

 

2) Shortly after the New burn we followed a path to the right that immediately started to climb up from the valley. This is the well trodden route to the Cheviot and is a relentless climb for most of the way to the top of Scald Hill.

Golden autumn colours along the road.
Golden autumn colours along the road.

Path to Scald Hill.
Path to Scald Hill.

   

Path leaves the valley and bears left.
Path leaves the valley and bears left.

The start of the track ahead.
The start of the track ahead.

 

3) The path soon became a wider track, visible ahead towards the skyline. We stopped often along this track to enjoy the views back across and down the valley (and for rests!).

View up the well worn path. View up the well worn path to Scald Hill.

View up the well worn path to Scald Hill.

 

4) After awhile we passed through a gate and stile before continuing onwards and upwards out of the valley.

View over the Harthope Valley from the gate.
View over the Harthope Valley from the gate.

Passing through the gate.
Passing through the gate.

   

View up the path after the gate.
View up the path after the gate.

Looking back past the gate.
Looking back past the gate.

   

View towards Blackseat Hill.
View towards Blackseat Hill.

Pausing to look back towards Langlee Crags.
Pausing to look back towards Langlee Crags.

 

5) A bit further on we reached another gate and fence. At this point there were two choices - follow a direct route to Scald Hill or follow a route keeping closer to the New Burn. We chose the route parallel to the New Burn, parts of which were rough going through deep heather and boggy underfoot.

View to Scald Hill with The Cheviot beyond.
View to Scald Hill with The Cheviot beyond.

View up the path above the New Burn.
View up the indistinct path above the New Burn.

   

View back across the Harthope Valley.
View back across the Harthope Valley.

View to the top of Blackseat Hill.
View to the top of Blackseat Hill.

   

View up the slopes of Scald Hill.
View up the slopes of Scald Hill.

The ground levelled off a bit here.
The ground levelled off a bit here.

   

Heading towards the path from Broadhope Hill.
Heading towards the path from Broadhope Hill.

View to Preston Hill with Broadhope Hill on the right.
View to Preston Hill with Broadhope Hill on the right.

   

Approaching the path from Broadhope Hill.
Approaching the path from Broadhope Hill.

View over the Harthope Valley.
View over the Harthope Valley.

 

6) This path eventually meets another path from Broadhope Hill and at that point we turned left and followed the new distinct and sometimes boggy path alongside the fence up to the top of Scald Hill.

Ahead as always are views of the Cheviot, but the best views are back down the valley and across the hills in all directions. Good excuses to stop for rests and take photos.

View back towards Broadhope Hill. View back towards Broadhope Hill.

View back towards Broadhope Hill.

   

View to the top of Scald Hill and The Cheviot.
View to the top of Scald Hill and The Cheviot.

View back towards Cold Law.
View back towards Blackseat Hill and Cold Law.

   
View north to crags on The Cheviot.
View north to crags on The Cheviot.
Scald Hill.
Easier going but boggy in places.

 

7) The path finally levels off at the top of Scald Hill giving fantastic views in all directions. A great place to stop for lunch.

Approaching the top of Scald Hill.
Approaching the top of Scald Hill.

View over the Harthope Valley from Scald Hill.
View over the Harthope Valley from Scald Hill.

   

View towards Newton Tors from Scald Hill.
View towards Newton Tors from Scald Hill.

At the top of Scald Hill.
Reaching the top of Scald Hill.

 

8) For those heading to the Cheviot the relentless uphill path can be seen after a slight reprieve. Past experience is that it is a hard slog.

Our route though, was easy from now on and we turned sharp left at the gate to follow a path straight and steeply downhill into the valley.

View of The Cheviot from Scald Hill. View of The Cheviot from Scald Hill.

View of The Cheviot from Scald Hill.

   

At this stile we turned left (and did not coross it)
At this stile we turned left (and did not cross it).

The view to Hedgehope Hill after turning left.
The view to Hedgehope Hill after turning left.

 

9) Ahead are fine views to Hedgehope across the valley and to Langlee Crags along the ridge. In the distance the Northumberland Coast could be seen.

View to Hedgehope Hill from the path down to the valley.
View to Hedgehope Hill from the path to the valley.

Heading down the path to the valley.
Heading down the path to the valley.

   

View to The Cheviot.
View to The Cheviot.

View back up Scald Hill.
View back up Scald Hill.

   

Another view back up Scald Hill.
Another view back up Scald Hill.

View down the Harthope Valley.
View down the Harthope Valley.

   

Hut with a great view.
Hut with a great view.

View to The Cheviot.
View to The Cheviot.

   

View to The Cheviot from the valley.
View to The Cheviot from the valley.

View back up the path from the valley.
View back up the path from the valley.

 

10) We reached the valley floor near Langleeford Hope where we turned left onto the track from Langleeford.

The track from Langleeford Hope to Langleeford.
The track from Langleeford Hope to Langleeford.

Looking up from the track.
Looking up from the track.

 

11) From here we enjoyed the pleasant walk along the track and then road back to the car parking area.

Looking back to The Cheviot.
Looking back to The Cheviot.

The road back down the Harthope Valley.
The road back down the Harthope Valley.

   

Back at the parking area.
Back at the parking area.

View along the valley from the car.
View along the valley from the car.

 

Notes

Walking Gear:

- Strong, waterproof hill-walking boots essential.

- Waterproof clothing essential.

- Map, compass and the ability to use them on open moors and in mist essential.

- Food and drink essential.

- Normal hill-walking equipment essential.

- Walking poles helpful.

Maps - Ordinance Survey Sheet 75, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

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