Post by mick on Mar 4, 2015 4:55:04 GMT
Hareshaw Linn
Having done this walks twice one in the warmer spring/summer and once on a cold winter’s day I know which walk I would recommend but not for the reasons that you are most likely thinking. Let’s explain.
Walking in the warmer months, once in the trees you can expect to be eaten alive by the midges, so take mossy repellent, I use skin so soft by Avon, I have used deet but I nearly poisoned myself so I give it a wide berth now. (And Avon makes you smell nice)
The other problem in the summer is the trees with their foliage (leaves) out restrict a lot of the views whilst walking up the pathway making it hard to see some of the river.
However in the wet months (speaking as an amputee) the path is very muddy and slippery and throw in a covering of dead leaves it is like walking on ice, plus the path has sections of rounded stones to walk on which tend to twist the foot right as you are about to weight bear, I will post some photos so you know what I am on about. However the lack of foliage does open up the views of the river and there tends to be more water coming down in the wetter months. So my friends the choice is yours.
Other stuff
Parking: Free parking at the Hareshaw Linn car park. (Or was last time I was up there)
Toilet Facilities: Close by in Bellingham town centre
Refreshments Facilities: Pub, shops and cafes in Bellingham.
Anyway that’s enough of that the walk:-
You park at the Hareshaw Linn car park in Bellingham at the start of the trail. The path is well marked and you will have no trouble finding your way.(I even let my better half lead the way ) Head through the opening in the fence and follow the path The path goes through the mobile home park situated in the site of the old Hareshaw Ironworks. Follow the path up through the gate. This leads into Hareshaw Linn proper. You need to follow the path up and over six bridges, the last three being close to the end of the walk(.I will post a couple of links explaining all about the bridges ect because I am to lazy to write about them ) The path finishes at the Hareshaw Linn waterfall. Then it’s a simple case of retracing your route back.
One other thing worth a mention there are a few seats scattered along the path and an open green area where there are picknick tables out.
First shot taken from the car park looking at some old ruined bridge and the river
Me looking over the fence to where the old dam was
Looking back
The old dam
One of the many small waterfalls
Looking downstream
Small waterfall
Entering the wooded section now (note the stone path I find it difficult to walk on)
Woodland view
Note the path and steps not a problem in the dry but extremely slippery in the wet
Crossing one of the six? Bridges, you can really smell the Wild garlic.
Not really sure what these are.
Another small waterfall
On this walk there are many types or really old trees (read one of the links at the end for more info)
Various shot taken whilst walking along the path
27 Some fancy bridge and another small waterfall
Me heading towards the fall
Hareshaw Linn
close up shot of what some sections are like, not a problem in summer but a completely different story in the wet months
Another shot of some stone stairs taken in the autumn the dead leaves are just starting to cover them, once wet they make it extremely slippy, as speaking as an amputee I wouldn’t recommend a visit this time of year unless you are completely mad.
To get back to the car you simply retrace your steps,
This small walk is a delight to walk in the dryer months but is completely different once the wet weather has set in.
Many thanks Mick
Links:
www.hareshawlinn.com/
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/hareshaw_walk-lo.pdf
Having done this walks twice one in the warmer spring/summer and once on a cold winter’s day I know which walk I would recommend but not for the reasons that you are most likely thinking. Let’s explain.
Walking in the warmer months, once in the trees you can expect to be eaten alive by the midges, so take mossy repellent, I use skin so soft by Avon, I have used deet but I nearly poisoned myself so I give it a wide berth now. (And Avon makes you smell nice)
The other problem in the summer is the trees with their foliage (leaves) out restrict a lot of the views whilst walking up the pathway making it hard to see some of the river.
However in the wet months (speaking as an amputee) the path is very muddy and slippery and throw in a covering of dead leaves it is like walking on ice, plus the path has sections of rounded stones to walk on which tend to twist the foot right as you are about to weight bear, I will post some photos so you know what I am on about. However the lack of foliage does open up the views of the river and there tends to be more water coming down in the wetter months. So my friends the choice is yours.
Other stuff
Parking: Free parking at the Hareshaw Linn car park. (Or was last time I was up there)
Toilet Facilities: Close by in Bellingham town centre
Refreshments Facilities: Pub, shops and cafes in Bellingham.
Anyway that’s enough of that the walk:-
You park at the Hareshaw Linn car park in Bellingham at the start of the trail. The path is well marked and you will have no trouble finding your way.(I even let my better half lead the way ) Head through the opening in the fence and follow the path The path goes through the mobile home park situated in the site of the old Hareshaw Ironworks. Follow the path up through the gate. This leads into Hareshaw Linn proper. You need to follow the path up and over six bridges, the last three being close to the end of the walk(.I will post a couple of links explaining all about the bridges ect because I am to lazy to write about them ) The path finishes at the Hareshaw Linn waterfall. Then it’s a simple case of retracing your route back.
One other thing worth a mention there are a few seats scattered along the path and an open green area where there are picknick tables out.
First shot taken from the car park looking at some old ruined bridge and the river
Me looking over the fence to where the old dam was
Looking back
The old dam
One of the many small waterfalls
Looking downstream
Small waterfall
Entering the wooded section now (note the stone path I find it difficult to walk on)
Woodland view
Note the path and steps not a problem in the dry but extremely slippery in the wet
Crossing one of the six? Bridges, you can really smell the Wild garlic.
Not really sure what these are.
Another small waterfall
On this walk there are many types or really old trees (read one of the links at the end for more info)
Various shot taken whilst walking along the path
27 Some fancy bridge and another small waterfall
Me heading towards the fall
Hareshaw Linn
close up shot of what some sections are like, not a problem in summer but a completely different story in the wet months
Another shot of some stone stairs taken in the autumn the dead leaves are just starting to cover them, once wet they make it extremely slippy, as speaking as an amputee I wouldn’t recommend a visit this time of year unless you are completely mad.
To get back to the car you simply retrace your steps,
This small walk is a delight to walk in the dryer months but is completely different once the wet weather has set in.
Many thanks Mick
Links:
www.hareshawlinn.com/
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/hareshaw_walk-lo.pdf