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Northumberland-Walks.co.uk - photographic walks in Northumberland.Kielder Dam to Belling Crag Walk.Introduction This short walk starts and finishes at the car park on the north side of Kielder Dam. There is a charge for parking here. There are toilets at the car park. The route follows a waymarked path through the forest close to the north shore of Kielder Reservoir, returning along the north haul road. Approximate distance is 2.5 miles. A worthwhile detour is to walk along the dam for views of the reservoir.
Walk If visiting the dam which is worthwhile, when you have returned to the car park, walk to the far end towards an exit path which turns right.
Follow this path through the forest, crossing a small stream before joining the north haul road. Turn left when you reach the road and follow it for a short distance before turning left onto a waymarked footpath into the forest. The footpath leads to the north shore of Kielder Water and then skirts the shore, turning inland briefly to cross a stream. At various points along the way are superb views across Kielder Water.
Keep following the path, which can become unclear in places past a ruined cottage until it joins a track and turns uphill. Turn left off this track onto another footpath towards Belling Crag (now submerged) and the "Wave Chamber" The path goes downhill almost to the shoreline, crossing a narrow strip of land towards The Belling which is almost an island. Where the path forks turn right and follow it towards the wave chamber. The uphill section here can be slippery after rain and a particular hazard are exposed tree roots along the way. The wave chamber is a small structure you can enter and listen to the sound of the water lapping at the shore which is projected onto the floor by a "camera obscura" This is a god place to stop a while by the lakeshore, perhaps watching the Kielder Ferry which passes very close to the shore here.
Continue along the path which will take you in a complete circle around this headland back to the narrow strip of land and then retracing your route back into the forest. Bear left in the forest, walking uphill to the north haul road. Follow the track back, passing some old coal tubs from Plashetts Drift Mine and then turn right, back along the path to the car park.
Notes
To see larger photos please visit Northumberland Cam
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