It feels like we have just completed all the routes for 2025 and here we go again for 2026. The last walk of 2025 to Corbridge was cold but we walked in sunshine which was a nice end to the year. We also walked in a lot of mud which wasn't so nice but I guess it's that time of year when you think it will never dry out. 

You can never tell what these walks will bring except the routes to Bellingham are in a very nice part of Nothumberland, think of the top right corner and you will not be far off. The way to the drop-off is via the A696 road and then turning off at Knowsgate. Just before Sweethope Loughs the road turns north but two of the routes start from here.

The 10-mile route goes north crossing Great Wanney Crag and going nearly as far as West Woodburn before turning south and then west to Bellingham. The 11-mile route goes south of Sweethope Loughs and west over the A68 road and continues in a westerly direction to Redesmouth. The route crosses Redesmouth Bridge and comes into Bellingham via a footpath on the north side of the River North Tyne. 

The last route to start is the 8-mile route which gets dropped-off just after the coach has turned off the A68 road. This route initially goes south and then turns north to walk along a footpath beside the River North Tyne which goes through Countesspark Wood and into Redesmouth. After leaving Redesmouth Bridge the route follows the same footpath as the 11-mile route.
      
This is a nice easy start to 2026 with no real hills to climb over and with good open aspects across the countryside to walk in. So if you would like to join us you can get in touch with us from our Contact Page, you can also download the walk description here and the GPS route here.

The image for this post was taken during our last visit to Bellingham in July 2023.