Rowantree Cleugh and return along the river
A varied circular walk that takes you across extensive moorland then brings you back via the beautiful East Allen River. The different bird types vary along with the terrain, from Curlew, Snipe and Sky Larks on the moors to Wagtails, Dippers and Warblers by the river. Due to the area and the wildlife please keep dogs on a lead throughout the walk. The area was extensively mined for lead and there are still areas where you can see the scars, but Mother Nature is gradually reclaiming it all back.
The start and finish of the walk is within the Heritage Centre of Allenheads where refreshments can be taken at The Hemmel Cafe or The Allenheads Inn depending on the time of day.
The route keeps to tracks for most of the way, but there are some areas that can be boggy even in dry weather.
A long circular route that takes you from the centre of an old industrial area onto the wild open spaces of the moorland to the northeast of Allenheads. There are extensive views not only across and along the East Allen Valley but also across 50 miles of Northumberland to The Cheviot up on the Scottish Border.
The moors give the appearance of being bleak and barren, but they teem with wildlife, some of which is endangered such as Curlew and Golden Plover which along with Snipe, Red Shanks and others come here each year to raise their young. The contrast between the moors and the riverside is enhanced when the birds are in full song as the environment around the river invites a huge number of different birds to call it home, at least for the summer.
The hemmel Cafe situated in the centre of the village near the Heritage Centre is a great place to start your walk, or even to reward yourself at the end with tea and cake!
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
OS Grid Ref NY 859 453 Turn left out of the car park and pass the Heritage Centre and The Hemmel, or pop in for some refreshments before the walk. Follow the road up to a crossroad then go straight over, towards Rookhope, until the apex of a sharp left-hand bend in the road. At the apex of the bend take the footpath that runs to the left of the wall running away from the road. Follow this wall uphill, as it gradually turns to the right, until reaching the road.
OS Grid Ref NY 871 452 At the road, turn left for a short distance until forking right along a track that gradually rises onto the moor. Follow the track, ensuring you stop at the curricks on your left for a glorious view down over Allenheads. Keep to the track as it meanders around the top of the valley, after passing an isolated house keep the wall to your left until it drops away at a corner. Shortly after this, there is a junction in the track, turn right for a short distance until a footpath sign, where the track turns right across the moors.
OS Grid Ref NY 861 475 Turn right to stay on the track gradually venturing further onto the moors. Pass the two shooting huts on your left until reaching a fence, pass through the gate and continue on the track, which soon becomes a small footpath. After crossing the moor other fences and gates are negotiated, continue on the small path and cross the northern end of Rowantree Cleugh. After ascending the far side of the cleugh you join a large track. Turn left along this track to pass a shooting hut on your right.
OS Grid Ref NY 876 526 Not far after the shooting hut follow the more central track around to the left passing a derelict pump house on your right. Continue along this track as it sweeps around the moors raised above you on the left. After leaving Sinderhope Carrs the track gradually descends into the East Allen Valley. Cross over a bridge at the top of Sipton Cleugh then over two cattle grids as you enter more agricultural land. Just after the second cattle grid take the grassy track on your left to gradually reach the road near Ellershope Bridge.
OS Grid Ref NY 852 486 Turn right along the road then take the footpath through the gate on your left. Towards the bottom of the slope turn left along a short path until reaching a tarmac road, turn right, cross the river and turn immediately left on the path at the side of the river. When the path reaches a road stay on the same side of the river until it makes a sharp right-hand bend away from the river, where a footpath that continues by the river will be seen,
OS Grid Ref NY 849 474 Take the footpath that goes alongside the river until reaching the Allenheads to Carrshield Road near a bridge. Turn left at the road, over the bridge and turn right towards Allenheads. To avoid walking along the road, take the first footpath sign to your right over a small footbridge and rise towards a house. Pass the house to reach the track, where a left-hand turn towards Allenheads is required. As the track turns left to join the road, take the small path through the trees with a wall to your right. After a short distance, you will come to yet another access track to the local houses, cross this and take the pathway that leads through the trees. This will bring you back to the centre of the village near the Heritage Centre, refreshments can be taken at either the Allenheads Inn or The Hemmel, depending on which is open at the time.
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