The bus dropped us near the roundabout just over the bridge at Corbridge.
From here we started walking due south along the B6529. Just after crossing the railway line a footpath can be seen on the right of the road. This path went through an area called the Scrogs, across a main road (A695), through a field then on to Ladycutter's lane.
The original plan was to turn right here along Ladycutter's lane to reach Dipton Wood via Snokoehill Plantation but the recent heavy rain would have made this route extremely boggy. Instead we crossed the road to continue walking on a footpath until reaching another minor road. Here we turned right, passing a disused quarry, then right again at a T junction to reach the edge of Dipton Wood.
We then followed the footpath through Dipton Wood. Here we stopped for a coffee break on a high point overlooking the wood. We then continued, passing Lightwater Cottages on our left, until reaching a main road (B6306).
Here we turned right then left down a private road. After passing some buildings a finger post could be seen on the right leading us down a path through Strothers Wood crossing Devil's Water at Linnelswood Bridge. This path was quite slippery so care had to be taken.
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After the footbridge we turned right to pick up a track leading to Ordley. Shortly before reaching Ordley there is a finger post indicating a footpath to the left which led us downhill through a wood, across a bridge to Devil's Water. We then walked alongside Devil's Water until reaching Pethfoot Bridge. We didn't cross the footbridge but instead followed a lane past Peth Foot then walked steeply uphill to a main road. |
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Here we carried straight on then followed a footpath to our left opposite some houses.
The footpath took us through fields above Juniper then to the right of Black Hall through a wooded area then onto a road near to Barker House. Just after the wooded area we stopped for lunch sheltering from the snow as best we could. At the road we turned left, passing Barker House, then right at a T junction through to High Eshells - about a mile and a half of road walking.
Crossing Eshells Moor |
Just before reaching High Eshells we turned left onto a track reaching the edge of Eshells Moor after about half a mile. The path across the moor is marked with finger posts. Most of the path is well surfaced track but the beginning and end are not so well defined.
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At the edge of the moor at Chat's Fell Gate we met up with Russell's group who had crossed the moor by a different route. As our planned routes to Allendale were the same we joined forces taking the path to the left down to Moor House, Bulls Hill, Portgate then Allendale.
At Allendale some of us went to a coffee shop while the rest of us went to the King's Head for a couple of drinks - and roast beef and yorkshire puddings on the house! |