20.5 miles, 9 hours (no pubs!)
It was almost 10:00am by the time we were dropped off in Wooler, having left our cottage in Beadnell for the last time. The town was left behind quickly as we climbed up on to Wooler Common and round towards the hamlet of Earle.
Following quiet lanes we turned past Middleton Hall and on into the Harthope valley.
We continued to follow the small lane into the Harthope valley for almost 3 miles getting deeper in to the Cheviots as we progressed. Every so often we saw signs warning of red squirrels but unfortunately we didn't see the squirrels themselves!
After a steep drop to Carey Burn Bridge we followed close to Harthope Burn passing meadows and woods. Despite being on the road it was very quiet and pretty along this section. There were several flowers on the banks including these harebells.
Continuing along the road the landscape gradually changed the meadows now replaced by open moorland. Large patches of purple heather dotted the slopes of the valley, and the road was bordered with bracken and tall grasses, providing cover for hundreds of young pheasants.
As we turned off the road at Langlee the Cheviot could be seen, although the summit was shrouded in cloud.
We had a steep climb up out of the valley towards the rocky outcrop of Langlee Crags. Looking back we could see down the length of Harthope valley.
From Langlee Crags we passed over Broad Moss, an open expanse of heather moorland, to reach a small shooter's hut near the edge of Threestoneburn wood. Just inside the wood we found a very convenient flat stone to sit down on and have a sandwich.
We followed the path through the wood to emerge in a clearing shortly before Threestoneburn House. As we rounded the house we joined a well maintained track towards The Dod, another isolated farmhouse.
From The Dod we headed in a southerly direction across the moor, now leaving the track behind. In places it was very wet and boggy, with some tricky crossings to be made where small streams crossed our path.
Once past the streams it was good easy walking and we made steady progress across the moor. Looking back we could see a patchwork of greenery with the mix of grasses, bracken, heather and trees.
Through this whole area we didn't see any other people, and even the sheep seemed very startled at seeing us approach.
The next section of path was unclear at times which could make navigation more difficult in bad weather. Fortunately it was a good day for us and as we proceeded closer to Greensidehill waymarkers became more frequent.
A short section of road took us towards Hartside where there were lots of cars parked along the verges. This appeared to be a popular starting point to walk to Linhope Spout waterfall.
We soon left the people behind as we headed down to cross the River Breamish.
Then came a long steady drag uphill on the slopes of Shill Moor and around Little Dod to reach Salters Road track. Here we were passed very quickly by a group of cyclists as we descended to cross Shank Burn.
We then caught up to them again as we climbed steeply back up the other side, as they had to get off and push their bikes up the hill.
There was a menagerie of barking dogs, gaggling geese and quacking ducks as we passed through the yard of Ewartly Shank farm.
On leaving the farm we encountered another stretch of boggy ground. There were clear waymarkers which seemed designed to lead us into the wettest patches!
After a very brief encounter with a road we were off on to an unclear path across boggy moorland once again. There was the occasional waymarker to reassure us that we were following the right route, and again we were thankful for the good clear weather.
We crossed a small stream at Tod Stones where a waterfall gently splashed down a little ravine.
Shortly afterwards we discovered why the waymarkers led to the boggiest parts - these sheep were systematically moving them! Or perhaps they were just trying to knock them down.
The path became clearer as we passed through a plantation, and eventually turned into a track beyond Harden Burn. We finally reached civilisation once more at Biddlestone where we joined the road.
We followed the road, turning off the route to finally reach our Bed and Breafast, Parsonside House just before 7:00pm.
41.Rose and Thistle, Alwinton - 8:00pm
A large open lounge bar. Friendly staff, good food and beer.
This is a photo guide to the Northumberland Inn Way which we walked in August 2008.
