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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.

Kielder Reservoir
Kielder Reservoir
Kielder Ferry
Kielder Ferry

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.

Kielder Reservoir Valve Tower.
Kielder Reservoir Valve Tower.

 

Kielder Dam
Kielder Dam
Storm Clouds over Kielder Water.
Storm Clouds over Kielder Water.

 

View along Kielder Water.
View along Kielder Water.
Car park and toilets.
Car park and toilets.
View at car park exit.
View at car park exit.

 

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.

Walking through Kielder Forest.
Walking through Kielder Forest.

 

View from the forest to the dam.
View from the forest to the dam.
View from the forest to the dam.
View from the forest to the dam.

 

Toadstools along the way.
Toadstools along the way in Autumn.
View to The Belling.
View to The Belling.
View to The Belling.
View to The Belling.

 

 

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.

 

View from Belling Crag.
View from Belling Crag.

 

Kielder Ferry approaching The Belling.
Kielder Ferry approaching The Belling.
Kielder Ferry passing The Belling.
Kielder Ferry passing The Belling.
Passengers waved and the ferry blew it's horn.
Passengers waved and the ferry blew it's horn.

 

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.

Old coal tubs.
Old coal tubs.
North Haul Road.
North Haul Road.

 

Notes

Walking Gear:

- Good walking boots essential.

- Waterproof clothing advisable depending on the weather forecast.

 

Food and drink advisable.

Maps - Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet no. 80

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