Post by mick on Mar 4, 2015 5:15:18 GMT
This walk isn’t for any one who is just starting out on there quest to walk again as it’s a bit on the longish side for a starter route, so why put it here you may be asking!
Well wait and I will explain
Most people that I speak to at the limb centre are convinced that once you get into the Cheviot Hills it is one huge Bog and you will get stuck and eaten alive by those nasty sheep and never be seen again (alright may be not that bad) yes there very boggy sections, but there are miles and miles of excellent walking conditions to be had, after a good days hiking in the hills I often dread walking along the streets back home as strange as that may seem.
So this walk is a typical walk that I do, what I am trying to show on this one is the different types of terrain and how walk able it is. All of the land up here is “open access” which means that if you don’t like the path simply walk off it and find your own route. You will be surprised how many tracks & sheep trails that criss cross this land all making good walking routes.
This walk starts at the car park at Wedders leap up past the farm at Barrowburn (which we will call in on our way back for tea) slowly gaining some height as we walk up along the cart track along the side of Kyloe Shin from there we enter Kidland forest still on this cart track (which is very walk able) we head down towards Fairhaugh on the Usway Burn, cross over the burn and follow the track up the Bank till we join up with Clennell street (which despite its grand name is just a grass/ mud track like all the rest ) here I turned left and headed out of the woods onto Yarnspath Law , as you leave the forest it well worth a short stop , the views are spectacular (well I think so ), from here head down along the grass path towards the Usway Burn as you get lower the path slowly changes from a grass path to stone quad bike track (still very walk able).
Here there is a small hidden gem a lovely little water fall, it’s a perfect place to stop for food or at least a coffee.
From here we simply walk along the river till we come to the bridge and cross over staying on the grass path head up the lower section of the Middle from there (today) I headed towards the road (stone) and turning left .
Note: - this road will take you all the way back to the main road that you drove up on changing to a metallic road further down.
However because that route is boring & not what I am out here for I turned off just past Trows Plantation at Murder Cleugh and headed back along the Border county ride all the way along and down Barrow Law which takes you to the tea room at Barrowburn. Now this grass path is almost up to Bowling Green standard in places I wish that my front lawn was this good.
Anyway a visit to the tea rooms and back to the car. Walk done and I hope if any amps out there get to read this it might help show you it’s not all featureless bogs up here.
Looking back towards the car park at Wedders leap
Heading up the track just past Barrowburn
With all the snow melting looks as if the Hepden Burn has burst its banks 
Looking back
Looking across (my route back)
Looking the other way I will be heading up that track later on
Entering Kidland forest 
Fairhaugh
The Usway burn & the bridge our way across today (unless you want to paddle at the ford)
Looking back 
Gained a bit more height & looking back 
Leaving the forest, still some snow laying about 
Nothing to say about this view
Heading down 
Water running down with all the snow melts
At the burn heading towards the waterfall
Looking back (note for you amps it really looks far worse than it is)
Nearly at the Bridge 
Heading up & looking back
Looking down the Usway Valley 
Now on the road looking across to where I came out of the forest 
Now on the Border county ride on Barrow law 
Just general views as I walk along 
If you haven’t noticed look at the grass path its better than my front lawn 
Coming down towards Barrowburn 
Shillhope law in the evening sun 
Back at the farm looking back at the path I have just come down (again it looks far steeper than it is)
LINK FOR THE TEA ROOMS
www.barrowburn.com/tearoom.html