North Tyne and Redesdale Walking Festival

13-21 September 2008

Explore and enjoy a variety of walks led by experienced local guides in the stunning setting of Kielder Water and Forest Park and other areas of the North Tyne Valley and Redesdale. 

Walks vary in distance and difficulty.

Please come equipped for the full vagaries of the British summer with waterproofs and sturdy walking boots.

Booking is essential for all walks as places are restricted.

Call Kielder Castle on 01434 250209 for further information and to reserve your place.

Three Trees Silent Walk

Saturday 13 September, 1.30pm-3.30pm

This walk is a SILENT walk, following the path that Imi Maufe has walked every two weeks for the duration of her year as artist in residence for Visual Arts in Rural Communities based at Highgreen. There is to be NO TALKING OR CAMERAS on this walk, but expect some surprises! This walk is also part of Imi’s opening party for her final exhibition Raffle Tickets and Midges, taking place at Highgreen studio from 3.30-6pm. All welcome.

Start/ Finish: High Green Manor NY 809911      Distance: 3 miles     Cost: FREE

Deadwater & Kielder Stane Walk

Sunday 14 September, 11am-4pm

A pleasant walk through forest and over purple fell led by the Forestry Commission, strenuous in places but always rewarding. The route traverses wild and lonely uplands, rich in history and home to a variety of fell and forest life, visiting the massive Kielder Stane above the source of the North Tyne.

Start/ Finish: Kielder Castle Visitor Centre NY 633 935       Distance: 8 miles    Cost: £10 adults, £7 Children (including lunch pack and discount voucher for The Dukes Pantry)

Hareshaw Linn Walk

Sunday 14 September, 2pm-4pm

A beautiful stroll along wooded Hareshaw Dene to see Hareshaw Linn, a spectacular 30-foot waterfall. Sally Graham of Northumberland National Park will lead the walk. This walk will be on the same day as Hareshaw Linn Family Fun Day for more details visit www.hareshawlinn.com.

Start/ Finish: Hareshaw Linn Car Park, Bellingham. NY 842 836       Distance: 2.5 miles      Cost: £5 adults, £3 children, £12 family ticket

Three Kings Walk

Monday 15 September, 2pm-3.30pm

This trail, jointly developed by Forestry Commission and Northumberland National Park, is set with the stunning backdrop of the River Rede. Highlight of the walk is a visit to three ancient standing stones, named ‘The Three Kings’.

Start/ Finish: Blakehopeburnhaugh, near Byrness NY 783 003      Distance: 2.5 miles     Cost: £5 adults, £3 children, £12 family ticket

Falstone Village Walk

Wednesday 17 September, 1pm-4pm

Take a stroll with local expert Mike Sanderson above beautiful Falstone Village, enjoying the views over Hawkhope and beyond.

Start / Finish: Falstone Village Tea Room, NY 725 875         Distance: 6 miles       Cost: £5 adult , £3 concessions , £12 family ticket

Lakeside Way: Tower Knowe to Leaplish

Wednesday 17 September, 9.30am-2.30pm

Start your day with a trip on the Osprey Pleasure Cruise from Leaplish Waterside Park to Tower Knowe, where your guide from Northumbria Water will meet you for the leisurely stroll back along the Lakeside Way.

Start/ Finish:Leaplish Waterside Park NY 662 879     Distance: 7 miles     Cost: £8.50 Adult, £6.50 concessions (including Ferry crossing)

Lewisburn Walk

Thursday 18 September, 2pm-4pm

Follow the Lewisburn from its flooded mouth as it enters Kielder reservoir, back to the start of the historic Bloody Bush toll road that rises towards the Scottish border.

Start/ Finish: Matthews Linn Car Park NY 647 903     Distance: 4 miles     Cost: £5 Adults, £3 concessions, £12 Family Ticket

Mirage, Skyspace and Observatory

Thursday 18 September, 3pm-9pm

Peter Sharpe of Kielder Partnership will guide you on a circular walk to Skyspace, taking in the magnificent landscape of White Fell and Capon Hassock.

Start/ Finish: Matthews Linn Car Park NY 647 903     Distance: 9 miles     Cost: £5 adults, £3 Concessions, £12 family ticket

Bakethin Conservation Area

Friday 19 September, 6pm-8pm

Kelly Hollings of Northumbrian Wildlife Trust leads you on a gentle stroll around Bakethin Conservation Area.

Start / Finish: Bakethin Car Park, Butteryhaugh NY 630 920      Distance: 2.5 miles    Cost: £5 adults, £3 concessions, £12 family ticket

Cheese Sike Walk

Friday 19 September, 11am-5pm

Kevin Shevels, author of several local walking guides, leads this walk around the hills in the vicinity of Kielder village

Start/ Finish: Kielder Castle Visitor Centre NY 633 935       Distance: 9.9 miles      Cost: £5 adults, £3 concessions, £12 family ticket (lunch pack available for extra £4, including a voucher for Dukes Pantry)

Shepherd Walk

Sunday 21 September, 11am-3pm

Shepherd Walks Team will lead this walk, which takes in Blakeman’s Law above Otterburn. Starting at Otterburn Mill, the walk will skirt around the magnificent Otterburn Ranges with rewarding views of the lower lying grounds and Padon Hill.

Start/ Finish: Otterburn Mill      Distance: approx. 9 miles      Cost: £5 adults, £3 concessions, £12 Family Ticket

Tarset Bastle Walk

Sunday 21 September, 11am-2pm

Tarset Archive Group will lead a walk to look at some of Tarset’s bastles - fortified farmhouses that symbolise its violent ‘reiving’ past. The walk will also take in the Romano-British settlement in Sidwood. Please bring a packed lunch and refreshments.

Start/ Finish: Sidwood Car Park NY 776 891      Distance: approx. 7 miles     Cost: £5 adults, £3 concessions, £12 Family Ticket