Author Topic: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20  (Read 1317 times)

April

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TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« on: 19:20:39, 09/03/20 »
We travelled to Wooler last Friday, we had 2 nights booked in a pod. We broke the journey up a little by stopping at Lordenshaw, near Rothbury to go over the Simonside Hills. The weather wasn't bad, it was dry, not that windy but the views were a little hazy. Our first hill was The Beacon. The path has had more pitching done here since the last time I was here.

The Beacon ahead


Dove Crag in the distance


Squeaky was enjoying the walk but she was getting a little over excited when grouse started flying about.

Rock formations on Dove Crag


There have been a lot of trees cut down in the forest below since my last visit and it does look a lot different.

On the way to Old Stell Crag


They had started paving this the last time I was here and there is now a continuous paved path to Old Stell Crag and the permissive path that went to the right of the crag is now fenced off for erosion control.

Interesting shaped rocks at Old Stell Crag


I love Old Stell Crag, the rocks are interesting and always remind me of the Peak District.

A cave in the crags


Dove Crag from Old Stell Crag


Simonside summit ahead


A nice place for lunch


We found a rock that protected us from the worst of the wind and had some lunch.

Icy pool at Old Stell Crag


The Cheviot is the highest hill in this hazy view from Simonside


It was nice to have a little sunshine and blue sky.

Old Stell Crag, Dove Crag and The Beacon from Simonside


We descended steeply from Simonside, much steeper than I remembered and joined the forest road turning left and on the right of way to Tosson Hill.  Trees have been felled here and the walk is not how I remembered it but I did recognise the fence when we reached it.

Tosson Hill ahead


Through the gate we followed the right of way toward Tosson Hill. The path as I remembered it led to the rocks at Ravens Heugh but I was wrong this path we were on bypassed the rocks. There had been other paths leading to the right, we should have been on that one.

The Cheviots from the path to Tosson Hill


We almost reached Tosson Hill but we were fed up of the underfoot conditions, it was boggy peat and very tiresome. We turned around and went to see the rocks at Ravens Heugh.

Rocks at Ravens Heugh


The path here doesn't seem as well used as it used to be but perhaps it is my memory that is wrong!

On the way back toward Simonside


We debated going over the Simonside Ridge again back to the car but we took the slightly longer route down the footpath and forest road to the Simonside Car park instead.

On the way down through the forest


I wonder if these trees will still be here on our next visit?

Clearer views of the Cheviot Hills on our way back to Lordenshaw


Once at the car park at Simonside we walked along the road to Lordenshaw. I really enjoyed coming back here, it was a walk I did a lot when I lived in the north east. Our route was Lordenshaw - The Beacon - Dove Crag - Old Stell Crag - Simonside - near Tosson Hill - Ravens Heugh - Simonside Car Park - Lordenshaw. 7.75 miles and 418m ascent.

We drove to Wooler and our pod.


We unpacked our gear, had some food and wine and relaxed knowing the weather could do what it liked overnight, we were safe in the pod.
Hate will never win

Skip

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #1 on: 19:54:40, 09/03/20 »
Good to see these hills here on WF - a much-underated little range IMO. Excellent pics as always.

I speNd a sweek in Northumberland every summer on my birding holiday.
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beefy

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #2 on: 19:55:28, 09/03/20 »
Great pics Ape  O0
Was a nice walk, but that wind is on the banned list  ;D
It was nice relaxing in the pod with the heater on, I think we are going soft
Leave only footprints, take only photographs, kill only time ...

jimbob

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #3 on: 20:14:34, 09/03/20 »
Canny report. Barri photos. Oh, to be hyem.
Too little, too late, too bad......

karl h

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #4 on: 21:26:18, 09/03/20 »
Lovely stuff April O0
New tent looks a cracker although a bit on the heavy side ;)

Dodgylegs

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #5 on: 22:56:46, 09/03/20 »
Enjoying photos of your holiday walks, lovely quiet picturesque Northumberland.
« Last Edit: 23:05:05, 09/03/20 by Dodgylegs »

richardh1905

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #6 on: 07:27:57, 10/03/20 »
Nice photos, April - thank you for bringing this fine little range of hills to my attention. Reminds me a bit of Derbyshire gritstone country -with added sea views!

Tess has yet to have a close encounter with a live grouse. I say 'live' as she dug up a dead one on the beach at Loch Morlich (Cairngorms), and would NOT give it up!
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

vghikers

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #7 on: 08:02:45, 10/03/20 »
Great pics of those hills, an area unfamiliar to us.  O0
The landscape is very reminiscent of the Peak District.

pleb

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #8 on: 10:05:41, 10/03/20 »
Wow! I've got pod envy  :-[
Whinging Moaning Old Fart

April

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #9 on: 19:35:39, 10/03/20 »
Good to see these hills here on WF - a much-underated little range IMO.

I've not been to Simonside for over 15 years maybe, it was good to go back  :)

It was nice relaxing in the pod with the heater on, I think we are going soft

Shall we sell our tents?  ;)

Oh, to be hyem.

It was nice to gan back  :)

New tent looks a cracker although a bit on the heavy side ;)

I'm sure beefy will cope  :D

lovely quiet picturesque Northumberland.

Thanks Dodgylegs, it is a grand place

Tess has yet to have a close encounter with a live grouse. I say 'live' as she dug up a dead one on the beach at Loch Morlich (Cairngorms), and would NOT give it up!

 ;D

The landscape is very reminiscent of the Peak District.

It is indeed

I've got pod envy  :-[

 ;D
Hate will never win

Mel

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #10 on: 22:51:05, 12/03/20 »
I read this the other night when I was last on but got logged out by the time I went to reply.


Nice pics and write up  :)


I'm off to read the reports for the rest of your adventure now before the same thing happens again.


sunnydale

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #11 on: 21:11:42, 13/03/20 »
Really nice photos April O0  Loving all those rock formations! 8)
***Happiness is only a smile away***

April

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Re: TR Simonside Hills Fri 6 Mar 20
« Reply #12 on: 18:10:43, 16/03/20 »
Thanks Mel and sunnydale  O0
Hate will never win

 

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