Pauperhaugh to Rothbury via Simonside & Thropton.

After being dropped of at Pauperhaugh we followed a lane south, over the Coquet, before joining a footpath taking us through Lee Plantation.

We had to cross Bog Burn 4 or 5 times using stepping stones – great care had to be taken not to slip on the wet rocks. Cameras were at the ready to record any slip up but everyone managed without falling in. This route would have been almost impossible during a period of heavy rain.

We made the final crossing using the ford near The Lea then headed north on a road for a while before taking a footpath across fields to Lordenshaw.

From here followed the road towards the car park then joined the permissive path up to Simonside via The Beacon, Dove Crag Cairn. At times the path ran just slightly south of the old permissive path. New flagstones, which had to be airlifted up on to the ridge, have been recycled from old mill floors and fitted perfectly into this rugged Northumberland landscape.

Half way up we met Duncan leading the “easy” walk group who had just negotiated the steep climb to the west of Simonside! We had a short break to admire the view and take a few pictures of the wonderful view of the Coquet Valley and Rothbury then it was a steep tricky route down to base of Simonside.

We then joined a path through the woods which emerged at Chester Hope and were treated by fine views across the Coquet Valley and a easy grassy path over Windy Crag to Great Tosson. From here we followed the lane for a while then joined another path across fields into Thropton and a stop for refreshments at the Cross Keys pub.

Then through Thropton and up Physic Lane where we joined a path over West Hills into Rothbury. Here we met up with the other groups at the Newcastle Hotel.