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Northumberland-Walks.co.uk - photographic walks in Northumberland.Alwinton - Clennell Street - River Alwin Valley WalkIntroduction This walk starts in the car park at Alwinton in Upper Coquetdale. The route follows Clennell Street, (an ancient drove road) onto the hills and drops steeply down to the River Alwin Valley, returning along a forestry track via Clennell. We did this walk on a mild day in January with some hazy sunshine at times. The walk provides great views over the river Coquet Valley and the Cheviot Hills. Distance - Just over 5 miles. Parking - Car park in Alwinton (£2 .00 when we visited). Toilets - In car park (still open when we visited).
Walk 1) From the car park we turned left and walked through the village towards the green opposite the pub. Straight ahead is a footbridge over the Hosedon Burn which we crossed and turned left onto the footpath to Clennell.
2) The path soon becomes a track passing a farm on the left. It was wet with water forming a stream down it when we visited. Just past the farm there is a fine view along Upper Coquetdale on the left.
3) As we climbed higher along the track we reached a gate with a very high stile over the wall next to it. After passing through the gate we paused to admire the view over the River Alwin Valley to Clennell and Silverton Hill beyond.
4) Climbing higher, the track passes an ancient settlement on the left and some cottages on the right where the gradient becomes gentler.
5) After the cottages Clennell Street carries on uphill, but we took a path to the right passing through a gate in the fence onto more level ground.
6) Soon we reached a small gate and stile which were almost impassible due to very deep mud. Fortunately we clambered across without getting stuck knee deep in the bog.
7) The path became level and fairly dry after the stile and leads along Cross Dyke, with fine views down into the valley with the River Alwin snaking it's way along to Clennell, crisscrossing by the track along which we would return.
8) The path goes gently downhill before reaching the remains of an old gate with the view of Kidland Forest ahead and the valley down below.
9) At this point the path starts to drop steeply into the valley towards the forest track, meeting just before the entrance to the forest.
10) After crossing a stile we turned right onto the track to make our way back down the valley. The track crosses back and forth over the River Alwin using wooden bridges on it's way to Clennell.
11) The track may seem quiet enough but very large trucks use it to haul timber from Kidland Forest, so you have to get well clear onto the grass or risk a good spraying with mud on a wet day.
12) After awhile we reached Clennnell, passing the hall, farm and caravan site on the left. At this point the track becomes a tarmac road still alongside the River Alwin.
13) Soon after crossing the river again we reached the main road and turned right towards Alwinton. On the left is the show field where Alwinton Show is held in the Autumn. It is usually the last county show of the year in Northumberland.
14) Ahead is a good view of Alwinton with Lord's Seat in the background. From here we followed the road back through the village to the car park where marauding hens were once again looking for food from walkers!
Notes
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