Spend 3 Winter Nights in Northumberland

Hostel and Camp Event icon - Jewel Created with Sketch.
Hostels and Bunkhouses
Jan 26
2024

3 people attending

20 places left

Your price
£95.00
Event booking closes on Jan 23 at 17:00:00
Event difficulty background shape EventDifficulty
Easy Moderate Very Hard
The proposed hikes will be difficult, this is steep terrain

Rediscover Northumberland in January less than 2km from the England - Scotland border!  After a very long absence we return to the beautiful College Valley in the heart of the Cheviot Hills, to one of the most stunning locations in the UK!

Due to the remote location, we will spend 3 nights (Friday evening through Monday morning), allowing ample opportunity to explore the area.  Currently I'm looking at a number of hiking options, depending on the weather.

Cheviot Hills WWII Wreckage Search  - this is a relatively short hike (just under 8km) but is demanding as the first half is an ascent of 508m, (from a starting altitude of 270m) up to a summit of 771m.  The descent back to the car park drops an average of 135m per km, with a total drop of 502m. This hike requires a 15-20 minute drive to the start and there are no shops or pubs and there are no shops or pubs on the route.  Mountain Hike Leader needed

The Cheviot via Bizzle Burn - this longer hike (of 12.45km) will be more demanding than the wreckage search hike, but potentially just as rewarding!  The hard work begins about 5km in from the start point with a rather steep ascent from 279m to the summit at 815m (we start at an altitude of 263m).  This hike starts right at the bunkhouse and there are no shops or pubs along the way. Mountain Hike Leader needed

War Memorial Hike - this 7.7km hike leaves from (the free) Hethpool car park and heads back down through College Valley toward the Bunkhouse.  The altitude on this hike ranges from 102m up to 220m, along a rolling path.  We will pass a memorial to the victims of plane crashes during World War II (but not the sites as in the wreckage search hike).  The main path is along the College Valley Walk and if the weather cooperates we might be able to see Great Hetna (343m), Loft Hill (416m) and Hare Law (518m).  This hike requires a 15-20 minute drive to the start and there are no shops or pubs on the route.

The end of the Pennine Way - starting in the village of Yetholme, this 14.3km hike travels along the Pennine Way, past the cottage that was once the home of Queen Ester and her heir to the throne Charles Faa Blythe (this being the late 1770's).  Ending in the village of Kirk Yetholm, we will have ascended from 108m, to the high point of 333m on a summit between Latchey Hill and Black Hag.  This hike requires a 20 minute drive to the start, there appears to be one small shop and several pubs both at the start and end, but nothing along the route itself.  Mountain Hike Leader needed

The dog-friendly Mounthooly Bunkhouse is our base for the long weekend.  Please email support@outdoorlads.com to book your dog space.  The well-equipped kitchen will allow for the preparation of hearty sustenance to keep us fuelled up for the hiking and weather; two 9 bed rooms (near the showers and toilets) and a 4 bed "family annex" (en-suite with shower) come with duvets, pillows and sheets.  The log-burning fireplace will add the ambiance and take off the winter chill!

The Family Annexe section of the Bunkhouse is fully accessible, with 2 sets of bunk beds and a fully accessible toilet and shower.  However the proposed hikes may not be suitable for all attendees; should you have any specific questions, please email chris.keivit@outdoorlads.com.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statementin addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

All photos courtesy of Unsplash and used with permission and thanks.