The Ravenber Way route sections

1. Ravenglass to Wasdale Head


Distance: 13 miles (20.9 km)
Ascent: 928 metres
Terrain: Low undulating fells. Woodland, and a high level grassy ridge with magnificent views.
OS Map: Lake District South Western Area OL6

From the sea at Ravenglass, passing historic castles, before heading along Eskdale to Eskdale Green. Crossing Miterdale to reach Irton Fell, Whin Rigg and Illgill Head before descending to Wasdale Head.

2. Wasdale Head to Ambleside


Distance: 16 miles (25.7 km)
Ascent: 1048 metres
Terrain: Clearly defined and well-graded paths amidst beautiful mountains, tarns and valley scenery
OS Map: Lake District South Western Area OL6

From Wasdale Head, to Sty Head, then passing both Sprinkling and Angle Tarns on the way to Great Langdale. Following the Cumbria Way through Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge before passing under Ivy Crag and through Rothay Park into Ambleside.

3. Ambleside to Askham


Distance: 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
Ascent: 1361 metres
Terrain: A long high level walk over mainly grassy fells, on good well-defined paths, with impressive wide-ranging views. A classic walk.
OS Maps: Lake District South Eastern Area OL7 & Lake District North Eastern Area OL5

From Ambleside rising to Wansfell Pike before descending in to Troutbeck. Following Hagg Gill leads to High Street then High Raise, Red Crag and Loadpot Hill before descending to Askham.

5. Dufton to Garrigill


Distance: 15 miles (24.1 km)
Ascent: 776 metres
Terrain: Well defined route, grassy, some peat and boulders. Remote moorland, faint path initially but soon clear on the ground. Good waymarked route through pleasant valley pasture.
OS Maps: Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley OL19 & North Pennines OL31

From Dufton joining the Pennie Way to the summit cairn between Green Fell and Knock Fell. Heading along Trout Beck, passing Tyne Head and along River South Tyne to Garrigill.

6. Garrigill to Allenheads


Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Ascent: 461 metres
Terrain: Valley, moorland and high fellside scenery. Some defined and well marked routes. There are some grassy sections underfoot and other conditions of rough moorland vegetation and soft peaty ground.
OS Map: North Pennines OL31

From Loaning Head to Shieldhill, crossing Alston Moor to Nenthead. Leaving to Dykeheads, following Isaac's Tea Trail across Carrshield Moor to Philipson's Fold. Descending to Swin Hope and The Dodd to Allenheads.

7. Allenheads to Hexham


Distance: 17.5 miles (28.2 km)
Ascent: 453 metres
Terrain: A walk of scenic contrasts. From an uppper dale, over expansive heather-clad moorlands, along a river valley of verdant loveliness, to undulating pastures. Easy walking on good tracks and on mainly well-marked paths.
OS Maps: North Pennines OL31 & Hadrian’s Wall OL43

From Allendheads along Allendale to cross moorland via Green Hill, Pikeley Rigg and Hangman Hill to Kings Law. Then through Rye Hill and Rawgreen, past Juniper and through Diptonmill and High Shield to Hexham.

8. Hexham to Wark


Distance: 13.5 miles (21.7 km)
Ascent: 411 metres
Terrain: A fine riverside walk to an attractive village; an ascent to the line of the Roman Wall and a temple. A journey over wide upland pastures and 'One more river to cross.'
OS Map: Hadrian’s Wall OL43

From Hexham to Tyne Green, following the River Tyne Trail before leaving it to Newborough. Passing Newborough Lodge, crossing Hadrian's Wall, passing Slaterfield Fell, Pit Wood and Low Moralee before descending Warksburn Wood to Wark.

9. Wark to Elsdon


Distance: 16 miles (25.7 km)
Ascent: 536 metres
Terrain: Sparsely populated area, spacious pastoral upland, grass and heather moorland. Isolated outcrops of fell sandstone. Sections of afforestation.
OS Maps: Hadrian’s Wall OL43 & Kielder Water and Forest OL42

From Wark to Birtley, Pittland Hills, past Tone Hall, to Whiteside, through a plantation, then passing Sweethope, Ferneyrigg, Wishaw and Green Wisp to Ravenscleugh and then to Elsdon.

10. Elsdon to Rothbury


Distance: 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
Ascent: 388 metres
Terrain: Remote area with rough walking along forest rides. Some good forest tracks. Moorland and hill paths with grass and heather.
OS Map: Kielder Water and Forest OL42

From Elsdon entering Harwood Forest at East Todholes passing Whitelees, Harry's Wood, Manside Cross and Redpath. Joining with St Oswald's Way, passing Coquet Cairn and Spylaw to Whitton and then to Rothbury.

11. Rothbury to Alwinton


Distance: 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
Ascent: 432 metres
Terrain: Hillside and moorland walking; river valley and upland pastures. interesting villages.
OS Maps: Alnwick and Amble 332 & The Cheviot Hills OL16

From Rothbury to Addyheugh, Ship Crag and High Wood to Thropton. Through Coquetdale, past The Kennels, Low Trewhitt Cottages and Sharperton Edge to Sharperton. A paddle or detour to Holystone, then past Harbottle to Alwinton.

12. Alwinton to Westnewton Bridge


Distance: 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
Ascent: 893 metres
Terrain: Hill walking amidst grassy slopes and afforestation on clear paths and tracks. Peaty Border Ridge - some stone pathways. Delightful easy walking down College Burn Valley
OS Map: The Cheviot Hills OL16

From Alwinton following Clennell Street past Uplaw Knowe and Nettlehope Hill, crossing the forest to Well Cleugh and past Hazely Law to the border ridge cairn. Then passing King's Seat and Red Cribs to Mounthooly, Whitehall and Hethpool then to Westnewton Bridge.

13. Westnewton Bridge to Norham


Distance: 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
Ascent: 574 metres
Terrain: Gentle hill slopes, field paths and tracks; pleasant undulating countryside. Delightful riverside walking along the banks of the Till and Tweed. A scenic surprise in store.
OS Map: Kelso, Coldstream and Lower Tweed Valley 339

From Westnewton Bridge to Lanton Mill passing Coldside Hill and Kypie Hill to Flodden, Crookham, Heatherslaw and Etal. Following the River Till past Tindalhouse Wood, Tiptoe Wood, North Banks and West Newbiggin, leaving the river at Bow Well Farm to Norham.

14. Norham to Berwick-upon-Tweed


Distance: 10.5 miles (16.9 km)
Ascent: 243 metres
Terrain: Easy walking distance on attractive riverside footpaths along the banks of the Tweed. Journey's end at the fascinating and historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
OS Maps: Kelso, Coldstream and Lower Tweed Valley 339 & Berwick on Tweed 346

From Norham following the River Tweed to Horncliffe passing Whiteladder Point, Yarrow Hough to Berwick-upon-Tweed, crossing via the Old Bridge, reaching the North Sea near a car park at the end of Pier Road. And that's it!