Reservoirs and Borders Walk Two: Kielder, Border Counties Railway, Scotland, Source of the North Tyne
4 people attending
11 places left
Second of two walks starting in North Northumberland.
This walk starts in Kielder and heads out along the former Border Counties Railway, with views of the Kielder viaduct. From the line you can see the North Tyne, which is a meandering trickle of a stream. There are fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and hills such as Deadwater Fell. The line reaches the former Deadwater Station where you can see the old platform and station house. Shortly after this, England runs out and Scotland begins. Along the border edge it's onward and upward to the lunch stop at the source of the North Tyne. Then back the way we came and into Kielder village / Anglers Arms for refreshments and possibly a wander round the castle grounds.
If you're looking to make a weekend of it, there are a number of places you can stay in the area. I'll be staying at the Kielder Campsite on the Friday and Saturday nights. You can book online here: http://kieldercampsite.co.uk/. This is an excellent place for stargazing as it's situated in a Dark Skies park, with Kielder observatory not too far away.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking.
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: Proper walking trousers. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch. Kielder does have a shop, however the opening times are limited.