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Durham Nuttalls: extreme social distancing.

By Hugh Stewart March 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

These hills of the north-eastern pennines are perfect in these times of plague. Although we saw two moving covered all terrain vehicles at the start, and two walkers on an intruding cross-wilderness path in the distance, no-one else on the moorland hills of Bellbeaver Rigg (actually in Cumbria) and Viewing Hill. This five and a half mile walk with 600+ft of ascent may look a pussy and possibly lacking interest, but this is untrue on both counts. Do it as per the chapter in the Nuttall’s book, starting just down from the 591 spot height on the B road from Alston to Middleton in Teesdale, on the through track to Cow Green reservoir. The friendly, snow speckled triumvirate of Great Dun Fell with its giant balloon, Little Dun Fell and Cross Fell are there ahead to cheer you on, and always visible, needed as the going is a bit rough in places. The lonely Tees is also a wonderful sight, especially from the ascent/descent of Viewing Hill looking north of west. Started at 2degC today, but warmed gradually by the lazy sun, so voles, the odd grouse and Plovers were seen, and the first skylark of the season heard. The moors are heavily managed for grouse, and patches of heather cut rather than burned, but this was a refreshing and surprisingly pleasant walk.

  • The start, The Dun Fells and Cross fell ahead.
  • Heading for the first cairn of Bellbeaver Rigg in the distance.
  • From the first Bellbeaver cairn to the summit one.
  • Bellbeaver Rigg “summit”, with the ever present triumvirate behind.
  • The Tees looking South.
  • There is a cairn on Viewing Hill! Burnhope Seat beyond.
  • Cow Green Reservoir from Viewing Hill.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: durham nutts.gpx

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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