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Northumberland-Walks.co.uk - photographic walks in Northumberland.Goatscrag HillIntroduction This walk is in North Northumberland on moorland between the villages of Ford and Lowick. The walk follows a farm track and then a footpath onto open moorland which is open access land. The return journey follows footpaths through pasture land and a public tarmac road. Distance - Just under 4 miles. Parking - Difficult, we parked near a small junction on the road from Lowick to Fenton. (OS Grid Ref. 98358 36648). Care was needed when we parked here as the verges were very soft and easily damaged. Toilets - None - Nearest are in Wooler or Ford.
Walk 1) Follow the track that is signposted to Routin Linn Farm (OS Grid Ref. 98358 36648). This goes downhill from the road and soon crosses a stream beside Routin Linn Waterfall.
2) After passing the stream the track rises and bears right, Goatscrag Hill can now be seen ahead over the fields and to the right of the farm.
3) Continue along the track which turns left and straight ahead to the farm. There are fine views south west to the Cheviot Hills from this track.
4) The track passes the farm and narrows to a bridgeway with Gorse thickets on the right. The crags of Goatscrag Hill are now immediately above you to the right.
5) At the west end of the crags a path forks to the right and upwards. Follow this path up and continue uphill, turning right onto the top of the crags, which is the top of Goatscrag Hill.
6) Panoramic views from here are fantastic. The Cheviots, Kyloe Hills, Barmoor, Northumberland Coast and the Scottish Borders are all visible from here on a clear day.
7) After enjoying the views turn back along the path to head downhill then turn right onto a clearly visible path through a gate in the stonewall.
8) The path can be seen continuing along the hills and a lone single pine in the distance is a good marker. *Note there are many paths in this area marked on the map - this is not one of them because this is open access land not a public footpath. In this area there are a number of ancient cup and ring markings carved into the rocks for those who are interested.
9) Continue along this path, reaching a stone wall and the lone pine on your left.
10) The path goes downhill and passes through a gate in the wall on your left. Before passing through the gate it is worth a small detour to the right for views over Ford Moss an old chimney and also to the coast over a small lake.
11) After passing through the gate the lone pine will now be above you on the crags to your left.
12) Continue around the bottom of the crags picking up a path that passes through a muddy gate and to the left of a stonewall.
13) After a short distance turn right onto a path that heads south towards Ford Woodhouse Farm, seen ahead.
14) Follow the path through the farm to a field at the bottom of which can be seen a stile. When we visited this path had been purposely blocked by a wooden pallet which we had to climb over.
15) Continue down to the stile and cross it then follow the path by the fence to a gate on your right.
16) Pass through the gate and follow the path down a steep and slippery slope to a stream at the bottom. The stream is crossed by a wooden footbridge after which the path heads uphill and bears right.
17) Pass through a steel gate and follow the path which skirts the side of the field ahead.
18) The path emerges from the field onto a tarmac road. Turn left and follow the road straight ahead and back to your parking place.
19) On the left as you return are fine views across the fields to Goatscrag Hill from where you enjoyed earlier views.
Notes
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