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Walk To Shaftoe Crags From Bolam Lake

Introduction

We started this walk from the visitor centre car park at Bolam Lake and followed a route around the lake to the other car park, along the road to Bolam West Houses and from there to Shaftoe Crags, returning along the same route.

Distance - Approx 5 miles

Parking - Bolam Lake (Pay & Display) - Restricted opening hours with car park barrier.

Toilets - Bolam Lake, beside the visitor centre.

Walk

1) We left the car park, walked towards the lake and turned right along the footpath on the north side of the lake.

2) Along the way we stopped to enjoy the lakeside views and take some photos of the lake.

3) After crossing the open grassy area we continued along the board walk to the other car park on the south side of the lake.

4) Here we left the country park and turned right onto the road that leads to Bolam West Houses.

After a short distance we reached the crossroads at Bolam West Houses and turned left onto a road past the cottages and farm buildings. This was marked as a public footpath.

5) We followed this road, which leads to East Shaftoe Hall and at a left hand bend we turned off the road onto a footpath across open ground.

6) We followed the path steadily uphill. It was wet and boggy in places with patches of Gorse to pass through.

7) After a while we reached Shaftoe Crags where the path continued down a gulley between the crags.

8) We turned off the path and walked to the top of the crags to explore, enjoy the views and take photos. There were climbers on some parts of the crags.

Views from Shaftoe Crags.

9) We then walked down through the gap between the crags to take some more photos looking back up at them. This area was also quite wet underfoot.

Views from Shaftoe Crags.

10) From the crags we turned back and followed the same path and tracks back to Bolam West Cottages, enjoying the views along the way.

Footpath from Shaftoe Crags to Bolam West Houses.

11) At the crossroads we turned right onto the road back to Bolam Lake.

12) When we reached the lake we followed the path along the south shore, stopping at the swans favourite feeding place and to take more photos.

Road to Bolam Lake.

13) From here we followed the path along the east side of the lake back to the car park.

Notes

Walking Gear:

- Good walking boots advised.

- Waterproof clothing advisable depending on the weather forecast.

Food and drink advisable.

Maps - Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet no. 81 - Alnwick, Morpeth and Surrounding Area. 

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