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Northumberland-Walks.co.uk - photographic walks in Northumberland.Hethpool to Kirknewton Circular Walk.Introduction This walk starts at Hethpool in the College Valley and follows a path through the hills to Kirknewton Village. The return leg of the walk follows the College Burn back to Hethpool. At Kirknewton a visit to the church makes an excellent halfway break for those interested in local history. Total distance is about 7 miles and includes walking on paths, moors, tracks and tarmac roads. Parking - There is a small car park beyond the cottage at Hethpool past a small wood. Toilets - None - nearest are at the bus station in Wooler, Kirk Yetholm or Coldstream.
Walk 1) From the car park follow the road back to the cottages at Hethpool.
2) On the right, just before the bend in the road is a track with a cattlegrid opposite the end cottage. A footpath sign says "Old Yeavering 2.5 miles"
3) Turn right along this track and follow it downhill to a wooden bridge that crosses the College Burn.
4) Cross the bridge and turn left along a narrower track which soon crosses a small stream. It is likely to be muddy here, especially after rain.
5) There are fine views back across the College Valley to Hethpool from this part of the track.
6) The track soon enters a forest where it is much darker, but a fine view of the hills ahead soon appears at the edge of the forest.
7) Cross the stile beside a muddy gateway onto a path which now leads across open moorland with views towards Easter Tor on the right and across the College Burn to The Bell and White Hill on the left.
8) The path soon reaches the edge of the woods that line the College Burn. At this point wayfinding can be a bit confusing as there are two paths. One through the woods and one that heads up towards Easter Tor. A third leads down to the College Burn and is not the correct route to follow, but could provide a shortened walk back to Hethpool.
9) We followed the path towards Easter Tor although it may not be the best route and we saw another walker who took the other path.
10) This was still a pleasant route and we soon crossed a burn and walked up to a gate that leads out onto open moors again.
11) From here the path ahead is clearly visible and soon becomes a well trodden way-marked trail.
12) The views back along the College Valley from here are tremendous and well worth pausing to admire.
13) After a while the trail enters a forest and soon emerges as a track with the farm buildings at Torleehouse ahead.
14) Follow this track downhill with views of Yeavering Bell on the right and across the River Glen Valley ahead.
15) On the opposite side of the valley a large monument can be seen on top of one of the hills.
This is almost the halfway point, the walk is continued on a second page.
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