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Northumberland-Walks.co.uk - photographic walks in Northumberland.Broadstruther via Carey Burn - August 2003 Introduction This is without doubt one of the finest walks in the Cheviot Hills, with a wide variation in scenery and fantastic views on a clear day. Outstanding in the winter after snow or a very hard frost. The total distance travelled is about 8 miles and walking conditions vary from footpath to open moorland, forest track and tarmac road. Toilets - nearest are now in Wooler since the closure of the toilets at the picnic area near Middleton Hall. The photos accompanying this walk were taken in the summer 2003 with some extra ones taken on a very misty early morning in the spring of 2005.
Walk The walk starts in the Harthope Valley and follows the Carey Burn to Broadstruther, across the ridge between Broadhope Hill and Cold Law before following Hawsen Burn down into Harthope Valley and the return walk. There is a small parking area (one of several in Harthope Valley) just beyond the bottom of the steep hill (beware of ice in winter) on the road down into the valley. Walk from the parking area to the bridge over Carey Burn and turn right into the valley crossing a stile just before the bridge. Note - this is a marked footpath, but is not shown by Ordnance Survey as a right of way. However we have done this walk on numerous occasions and never been questioned. (The main direct path to Broadstruther is just beyond the bridge but is steep and not as scenic.)
Follow the path through pasture land on the north side of Carey Burn. The valley sides soon start to close in and steepen. This area is ablaze with gorse in spring.
Soon you will reach the waterfalls, a good place for photography, but can be slippery so take care when climbing down from the path to the base of the falls.
This is the narrowest part of the valley, from here the valley floor opens out a bit. Continue to follow the burn, though at this point some diversions may be needed as it can be very boggy after wet weather. The valley turns west and soon you will join a path from the right known as "Hellpath". This descends through forest from Wooler Common.
After a short while the burn splits into two and after crossing a footbridge the path will rise up the valley side with Hazelly Burn below. Broadstruther will come into view soon with Broadhope Hill to the left, Preston Hill beyond and Great Moor to the right. Continue on this path crossing another footbridge and then join a forestry track by turning right out of the valley. This track will take you to Broadstruther. Take time to pause along this track and look back for superb views down the valley you have just walked up and the hills beyond. In late summer the area will be purple with flowering heather.
Broadstruther is the ideal place to stop for a while and enjoy the scenery and a snack if you have food with you. There is an old shepherds cottage which was long since abandoned . * * Update - unfortunately the cottage has now been restored into a hunting lodge, detracting from the wild atmosphere of the place. It is easy to imagine the cottage as it would have been with smoke from the chimney, washing hanging on the line in the garden on a summer afternoon and perhaps a shepherd smoking his pipe at the door. Likewise in the winter, buried in snowdrifts! Not much of the history of Broadstruther is available, but a local lady who was born there during World War 2 still lives in Northumberland.
When leaving Broadstruther the path heads almost due south across open moorland until it once again reaches Hazelly Burn. In misty weather a compass will be needed here as it is easy to wander off in the wrong direction. Also in winter small streams can be hidden by snow so a walking pole is handy to avoid plunging through. Continue looking back for more great views. At Hazelly Burn the path swings south east towards a ridge between Broadhope Hill and Cold Law. At the low point between these hills the path passes through a fence. From here there are superb views in all directions and especially across the Harthope Valley to the eastern slopes of Hedgehope Hill, Long Crags and Langlee Crags.
The path now descends steeply to Hawsen Burn and down into Harthope Valley near Langleeford and joins the tarmac road beside a parking area.
From here follow the road back to where your car is parked (about 2.5 miles). Once again don't forget to keep looking back for great views towards the Cheviot, Hedgehope and Harthope Burn itself.
Notes
Some photos showing Broadstruther in mist and the Carey Burn waterfalls.
To see larger photos please visit Northumberland Cam
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