A pleasant stroll alongside the River Coquet and into Rothbury village. Suitable for a variety of users. Due to width/surface restrictions on some parts, the route is not suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs, although the riverside can be accessed by these users from the village centre. Be aware: parts of the route may flood when the river level is high.
Calculated time: 0h40[?] 
Distance : 1.38mi
Vertical gain : 36ft
Vertical drop : 33ft
Highest point : 292ft
Lowest point : 256ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Rothbury
Starting point : N 55.307989° / W 1.921539° (D/A) From the car park, descend to the riverside path, either by the sets of steps or by the ramp and shallow steps. Turn left and follow the path alongside the River Coquet. This path is a public bridleway so be prepared to meet others, including bicycles and horses. Be aware: the path is quite narrow in places, so pass other users with care. The first part of the path is aggregate, which then gives way to a sandy surface and then the path meets grass.
(1) If you would rather avoid climbing steps, follow the sign for the town centre, taking the access road alongside the toilet block into the village of Rothbury. Alternatively, walk across the grass, passing the children’s’ play area to your left and continue along the path to the road bridge.
At the bridge, turn left and walk up the tarmac path onto Haw Hill. Cross the road and climb the steps to take the path through the churchyard. Turn right and begin to explore the village of Rothbury. The National Park Information Centre is on the right, next to the All Saints Parish Hall if you would like further assistance.
(2) When you are ready to return to the riverside path, take the narrow road between the Rothbury United Reform Church and Town and Country insurance consultants. Follow this past the Model Buildings on your left and continue on the tarmac path back down to the River Coquet. Turn right and follow the path back upstream to the car park. (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. mi 0 - Car park
1 : mi 0.36 - alt. mi 0.36
2 : mi 0.9 - alt. mi 0.9 - Narrow road
D/A : mi 1.38 - alt. mi 1.38 - Car park
Getting there: Follow the B6341 west out of Rothbury. Just after passing the national speed limit sign, turn left to park in Beggar’s Rigg car park and picnic site.
Car Parking: Beggars Rigg car park
Toilets: Rothbury (Bridge Street)
Local Services: Rothbury
Nearest National Park Centre: The Coquetdale Centre, Rothbury
Terrain: Aggregate and sandy paths, grass, tarmac
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Local facilities: Shops and services are available in Rothbury, including pubs & cafes, tourist information and accommodation. The National Park’s award-winning visitor Centre and Tourist Information Centre is located on the village green in Rothbury and houses a fascinating interactive display about the wildlife, history and culture of this landscape. Our information officers have a wealth of knowledge about the area, services available and events, and can also help to book accommodation.
Points of Interest
River Coquet: The River Coquet is an exceptionally clean river, typical of the watercourses throughout the Cheviot Hills. Stretches of the river are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the quality of the river, the habitats and species.The River Coquet is about 40 miles in length (64km), from its source in the hills to its mouth into the North Sea at Amble. The earliest reference to the Coquet is from the 7th Century when it was known as Coccoveda, which translates to ‘Red River’ referring to the red stones that litter its bed.
The land on the other side of the river (now a golf course) was a steeplechase course for over two hundred years. The land alongside a river is known as the ‘haugh’ (from the old English ‘halh’) which means riverside meadow or flat area.
Rothbury: Rothbury has always been the ‘capital’ of Coquetdale. An important settlement throughout its history, situated at a fording point of the River Coquet, with turnpike roads to Newcastle, Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick. ‘Rothbury’ derives from Anglo Saxon times, (‘Routhebiria’ meaning Routha’s Town) mentioned as being around 1100AD. It is a bustling market town, popular with visitors throughout the year, but is particularly busy during the summer.
Wildlife: The riverside is home to a variety of animals, birds and plant life. On your walk, you may see rabbits, otters, chaffinches, blue tits and water-loving birds such as gulls, ducks, herons, dippers, swans, kingfishers.
3.27mi
+459ft
-476ft
1h50
Easy
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8.16mi
+1266ft
-1247ft
4h40
Average
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9.42mi
+1617ft
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5h30
Average
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5.52mi
+594ft
-600ft
3h00
Easy
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2.74mi
+56ft
-56ft
1h20
Easy
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3.2mi
+390ft
-377ft
1h45
Easy
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