Windy Gyle is the key objective for this walk in the deserted hills of Northumbria. Starting in the beautiful Coquet Valley the walk crosses wild moorland and includes a section of the Pennine Way.
Technical sheet
n°292953
A Alwinton walk
posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 05/09/16
(S/E) The upper reaches of the Coquet valley in the Northumberland National park provide a great feeling of remoteness. This walk takes to the high ground and starts roughly half a mile west of Windylaugh where ample parking is available on the grass verge near the confluence of Trows Burn with the River Coquet (grid ref. NT860114).
Head up the valley containing Trows Burn on the metalled lane that leads to the lonely farmsteads of Rowthorpe and Trows. Shortly after the latter farm a side track forks left off the valley track and immediately starts to climb quite steeply. After a short way the gradient eases and ahead you can see the large rounded shape of Windy Gyle although the summit will not come into view for some time yet.
(1) Stay with the track with ever improving retrospective views back into Coquetdale. After just short of two miles the track meets a bridleway/footpath (grid ref. 860148). turn left (just north of west) for the final climb to summit of Windy Gyle, which is marked by a large cairn. There are superb views in all directions especially over Scotland.
(2) If the visibility is good, Windy Gyle is a pleasant place to spend some time. All good things must end and you retrace your steps to the fence to pick up the Pennine Way as it heads south. The going is pleasantly easy as the path undulates along the ridge. Reaching a small col just before Mozie Law take the clear path that goes south over Black Braes. Stay with this ridge, choosing the best path for the conditions, over the flanks of Swineside Law. Known as "the Street" this ridge path leads you back to where you have parked (S/E).
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 264 m
1 : km 2.69 - alt. 416 m - Stay with the track
2 : km 4.43 - alt. 614 m - Windy Gyle
S/E : km 11.61 - alt. 260 m
Useful Information
Although this walk includes a two thousand foot summit the going, apart from a few boggy sections, is remarkably easy. The summit of Windy Gyle is reached without too much exertion and you have plenty of energy to enjoy the "deafening" silence so typical of this part of Britain. Whatever happens the landscape will captivate your imagination and you will certainly return to enjoy more of the Cheviots.
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.
Date of walk : 12/09/21 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
This is an enjoyable and relatively undemanding walk on good paths. The views from the top are worth the climb.
CeliaY
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 23/03/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Lovely walk in a stunning part of Northumberland. It was pretty windy yesterday but our group of mixed experience walkers all managed to get round the circuit despite the wind. There's nothing too technically difficult along this route with a steady incline to the tops once you start climbing but the remoteness of the location makes it spectacular and the views over Scotland and Northumberland are amazing.
Definitely a walk I'd do again.
Sarita J
Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share any photos if you have any
Fortunatefox
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 15/09/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Did this walk today. Wow. I loved it. I was looking for solitude and escapism and did I get that! As tbe view over tbe scottish borders opened before me I could only wonder at the immense area of openess. Ive never felt this before. Thank you
