Tees Circular

This Tees circular walk from Bowlees takes in the spectacular scenery of Teesdale, Low Force, the Iconic view of High Force, the geographically famous Holwick Scars and views of the Royal residency at Holwick Lodge.

Technical sheet

4422216
A Newbiggin walk posted on 13/12/20 by woody121. Last update : 05/01/21
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.06 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 176 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 185 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 404 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 256 m
  • ⚐
    District: Newbiggin 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 54.649113° / W 2.14583°

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Holwick Scar
Low Force water falls
Low Force
High Force Water Fall

Description

Park at Bowlees Visitor Centre Car park

(S/E) Leaving the car park, cross the bridge to pass the visitors centre continue down the lane for 200m turning right on the B6277 for 50m, take the gate into the field to follow the well trod footpath to the swing bridge crossing the river Tess.

(1) Turning right onto the Pennine way follow the river upstream passing Low Force before finally making the short climb bringing you above the High Force Water Fall.

(2) Continue upstream on the Pennine way footpath hugging the banks of the Tees, crossing a footbridge at Bleabeck and a second footbridge covering two streams just prior to climbing away from the river to summit Bracken Rigg.

(3) At the summit of Bracken Rigg, leave the Pennine way taking the footpath to the right at the junction, heading towards Noon Hill, after 400m cross through a gate in the wall, following the left hand side of the wall all the way to Whiteholm Bank, from Whiteholm bank the footpath runs away to the right where the wall makes a distinguished left turn, following the contour of the footpath over moor crossing Bleabeck once again, this time without the aid of a footbridge, continue directly on the footpath to reach a gate entering a moorland lane.

(4) Follow this line to the left downhill toward Holwick passing the privately marked road to Holwick Lodge.

(5) Continue along the lane towards Holwick, there is a clear waymarked footpath on the right after 300m which takes you from the lane and provides excellent views of Holwick Scar, this is a recommended alternative to staying on the farm track, which you re-enter at a farm cottage just outside the village, the lane changes into a blacktop road, follow this passing one junction to your left until you reach a telephone booth.

(6) From the telephone, take a farm lane on the left, following this to the termination and cross through a gate crossing two fields to re-join the River Tees. Crossing the bridge over the Tees, continue over two fields to the corner of a wood.

(7) At the corner of the wood before the bridge crossing the stream turn left to follow the edge of the wood crossing the B6277 continues along the edge of the wood for a further 200m to come out at the road near the car park.

(8) Turn left on the road for 100m then right into the visitors centre and access to the car park.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 284 m - Car Park at Bowlees Visitors Centre
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 267 m - Swing Bridge over River Tees
  3. 2 : km 3.25 - alt. 321 m - High Force
  4. 3 : km 5.19 - alt. 388 m - Bracken Rigg
  5. 4 : km 5.46 - alt. 387 m - Junction in footpath
  6. 5 : km 7.84 - alt. 397 m - Entrance to Moorland Farm lane
  7. 6 : km 9.58 - alt. 336 m - Telephone booth
  8. 7 : km 11.17 - alt. 258 m - Woodland Junction
  9. 8 : km 11.99 - alt. 281 m - Road near visitors centre
  10. S/E : km 12.06 - alt. 282 m - Car Park at Bowlees Visitors Centre

Useful Information

Full walking equipment required
Food and drink for the day required.
Can be wet underfoot
No Shelter is available on route
Strathmore Arms in Holwick village is closed Tuesdays. food is available here but your only 1 hour from walk completion.
The visitors centre at Bowlees offers toilet and café facilities
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Swing Bridge over the river Tees offering great views of Low Force from both banks of the Tees.
One of the UK's best collection of Junipers is passed through following the Pennine way up to High Force.
Take the well trodden 50m footpath around 300m below High Force to reach the most Iconic view in County Durham
Secure viewing platform safe for all ages.
Great views from the top of High Force, though care is needed as exposed drop are a hazard, avoid the edges in wet conditions, rocks can be slippy.
the walk through Holwick Scar crag is of Special Scientific Interest due to the rich diversity of rare species and relict arctic-alpine plants.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Alwayswiththehills
Alwayswiththehills

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 13/04/24
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I walked a very similar route today. Below is the variation People might find it useful if parking is full at Bowlees or if you don't have change for the parking machines there.

We started at the High Force Hotel Car Park (£6 per day pay by card or using a parking app)

We crossed over the road, turned left and walked to the steps that descend to the River. Walk to the bridge and cross over to join the route as it ascends to the juniper plantation and the view point for High Force.

Continue as described: at the top of Bracken Rigg look out for the rusting remains of a trailer and immediately after it the path splits. Take the left split (narrower) which descends to the gate in the wall. Pass through, and walk towards Noon Hill and you will very quickly meet the green trod which runs down from the top of Cronkley Scar. Turn left and follow the green trod which ascends Whiteholm Bank with a wall on the left. As the wall turns to the left keep following the green trod to an obvious cairn, then continue to a second cairn and further on a gate in a fence the path then leads to Blea Beck with the gravel track visible in the distance.

Note:- after a very wet spring we could not cross Blea Beck as the stepping stones were submerged. We turned right and followed the bank of the beck to sheepfold (marked on the OS map) after this we stepped over a wire fence and continued to a bridge over the beck beside some wooden huts used during the shooting season. We then turned left on the gravel track and followed it to Holwick.

2nd variation...At Holwick we turned left at the first junction and followed the road to a gate (Private road after this) go through the gate and follow the path diagonally downhill to pass through a small wooden gate into a second field. Cross this diagonally to a gap in the wall into the next field. The path splits follow the narrower right hand split past some boulders which look like the remains of an enclosure, after this cross a pleasant stone footbridge and follow the path down to Low Force,

Turn left and follow the route as described to the bridge over the river. Cross the bridge, turn left and follow the path to the stone steps which lead back up to the road and High Force Hotel car park.

Doing this after a wet spring not only caused us to find an alternative crossing on Blea Beck but route from just below Bracken Rigg to Beal Beck was very boggy in places. In these conditions make sure you have waterproof boots.

Otherwise a good walk.

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