Enjoy a short walk to two of the hillforts in the College Valley. The climb up to Great Hetha is well worth the effort for the views into the Cheviots.
Calculated time: 1h45[?] 
Distance : 2.52mi
Vertical gain : 699ft
Vertical drop : 699ft
Highest point : 1086ft
Lowest point : 417ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Kirknewton
Starting point : N 55.545894° / W 2.169794° (D/A) From the car park, turn left and walk along the College Valley road.
(1) At the fingerpost signed ‘Great Hetha’, leave the road and follow the path up to the right. At the corner of the plantation turn right and follow the fence uphill.
(2) At the junction take the left fork and follow the path to the top of Great Hetha.
(3) When you have finished exploring the site leave through the gap in the ramparts on the west side of the hillfort. Follow the path downhill to the ladder stile.
(4) Cross the ladder stile and turn right along the path to Little Hetha.
(5) Return to the ladder stile, cross back over and continue straight ahead along the track.
(2) Once back at the plantation retrace your route down the hill and along the road back to the car park. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 427ft - Car park
1 : mi 0.41 - alt. 499ft - Fingerpost
2 : mi 0.7 - alt. 764ft - Junction
3 : mi 1.04 - alt. 1066ft - Great Hetha
4 : mi 1.38 - alt. 719ft - Ladder stile
5 : mi 1.46 - alt. 699ft - Little Hetha
D/A : mi 2.52 - alt. 427ft - Car park
The College Valley is situated in North Northumberland on the northern edge of the Cheviot Hills, an area of renowned beauty. The estate extends to some 12,000 acres and lies entirely within the Northumberland National Park.
Getting there
From the South: Leave the A1 for the A697 north of Morpeth, signed for Coldstream. Stay on the road until a couple of miles north of Wooler; at Akeld buildings there is a left turn signposted to Kirknewton and Yetholm. Turn left and follow the road for three miles. Go through Kirknewton and over the little bridge, just after the bridge, there are some cottages on the left. At the end of the cottages turn left, signposted to Hethpool.
And then…
Follow the road, which turns left at 90 degrees at the end of the farm and again at the bottom of the hill leading into the valley where the road to Throwupburn and Elsdonburn goes off to the right. Soon after this, you will pass a turn to your left – which is the drive to Hethpool House and a row of cottages on your right with a sharp right hand bend at the corner of them, this is Hethpool. Go straight on across the next cattle grid and the car park is on your left.
Please note: if you wish to drive further up the valley you will need a car permit from the College Valley Estate.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
4.76mi
+371ft
-390ft
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A great route that introduces the walker to the tranquil College Valley. Look out for the Wild Cheviot Goats on the hillside near Hethpool Mill.
2.47mi
+194ft
-197ft
1h20
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A lovely family walk to Hethpool Linn, a dramatic waterfall on the College Burn, returning along St Cuthbert’s Way - we can’t guarantee it, but a good vantage point to see the wild Cheviot goats.
3.38mi
+486ft
-492ft
2h00
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A great way to see the spectacular remains of a 2,000-year-old Iron Age hillfort in breathtaking surroundings. A nice moderate walk where you can spot a Cheviot goat or two, then enjoy a pot of tea or pint of beer in Kirknewton having lapped up some significant ancient history.
6.41mi
+1385ft
-1388ft
4h10
Average
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland A lovely walk to Hethpool Linn waterfall, on the College Burn, then a climb up Yeavering Bell (Hill of the Goats) with a chance to spot some wild Cheviot goats.
3.54mi
+971ft
-971ft
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Kirknewton - Northumberland Take an invigorating half day’s walk to the top of Yeavering Bell – The Hill of the Goats. The walk offers stunning views from the top and if you are lucky you may be able to spot some of the wild Cheviot goats along the way. The hilltop is very exposed to poor weather so please go prepared.
8.88mi
+1844ft
-1841ft
5h40
Average
Starting point in Scottish Borders This walk in the Northumberland National Park follows the England-Scotland border fence and starts from Kirk Yetholm. The walk uses the Pennine Way to reach Black Hag. The return route follows an alternative route of the Pennine Way back to the start.
3.59mi
+505ft
-502ft
2h05
Easy
Starting point in Earle - Northumberland A lovely family walk following the Harthope Burn before a moderate climb opens up the area, offering spectacular views to the top of the valley and the Cheviot Hills, as well as to the coast. The Harthope Valley is the starting point for many inspiring walks up onto the Cheviot Hills.
3.74mi
+387ft
-384ft
2h05
Easy
Starting point in Doddington - Northumberland A short Northumberland walk that offers some great views south to the Cheviot Hills. Doddington Moor is home to a stone circle and many ancient cup and ring markings on stones spread across the area.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
