The last time we did these routes was on a wet day at the start of January 2023. One of the groups also walked through Harwood Forest in deep snow on the way to Elsdon in November 2024. Now its towards the end of 2025 so after rain and snow the only weather has to be sunshine. 

You might also notice that we have missed a walk date on the 27 September. This is because quite a few members of the club are on holiday in Cyprus for a week and return on the 27th. So we have moved the programme back one week to the 4 October. To get us back on track the next walk day will be as usual on 18 October.

The 10-mile and 10.5-mile routes are starting within a mile of each other on a minor road after leaving the A696 road and passing through Wallington. Both routes parallel each other all the way to Rothbury. The 10.5-mile route is further to the west and comes through Harwood Forest to begin with, although much of the forest has now been cut down. The route exits what remains of the forest at Coquet Cairn and then comes over the Simonside Hills to come into Rothbury from the south.

The 10-mile route is further east and comes past the far western edge of the Fontburn Reservoir and heads north towards the farm at Lordenshaw before picking up the same route as the 10.5-mile route on the way to Rothbury

The 7.5-mile route stays on the coach as it passes through Elsdon and heads north towards Hepple. Just before Hepple the route starts by following a minor road towards Bickerton and then heading around Caistron Lakes before heading roughly west towards Rothbury using a combination of minor roads, footpaths and bridleways.

Rothbury is a popular destination and we have been there many times. Our most usual routes are from Weldon Bridge on the A697 in the west so coming from the south into Rothbury makes a nice change. You can get in touch with us  from our Contact Page, you can also download the walk descriptions here and the GPS routes here.

The picture for this post was taken in January 2023 when one of the groups walked through Harwood Forest on the way to Rothbury.