9. Wark to Elsdon

The route today is quite unpopulated and remote with very little except pasture, forest and moor along the way. So, time to leave historic Wark – which was once part of Scotland – pack enough provisions for the day and head back to the trail.

The route leaves Wark, crossing the former toll bridge over the North Tyne to the village of Birtley before heading past Pittland Hills and Tone Hall to Tone Inn. Crossing the Roman road, Dere Street, passing White House, through a conifer plantation, and then heading past Hawick Woods to Ferneyrigg. Heading to Nether Pike the route enters more forest, then moorland and past Wishaw Plantation, Green Wisp, Blaxter Cottages and Ravenscleugh to Elsdon.

An alternative route leaves in a westerly direction from the crossroads near Nether Pike, passing Pit House, Linnheads, and Blakelaw to East Woodburn and West Woodburn. Crossing East Woodburn Bridge, entering the forest at Blackburn Bridge and passing Weather Hill and Rayless to Elsdon.


Distance: 16 miles (25.7 km)
Total distance: 137.5 miles (221.3 km)
Ascent: 536 metres
Descent: 458 metres
Highest elevation: Scald Law 308m
Terrain: Sparsely populated area, spacious pastoral upland, grass and heather moorland. Isolated outcrops of fell sandstone. Sections of afforestation.

Links to accommodation and places of interest coming soon

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OS Maps: Hadrian’s Wall OL43 & Kielder Water and Forest OL42