Windy Gyle circuit, Cheviots

This fine hill circuit uses grassy tracks to make a horsehoe in a remote part of the Cheviots - visiting the huge and ancient cairn on the summit of Windy Gyle.

Terrain

Mostly good grassy hill tracks to and from the ridge. The ridge section follows the Pennine Way and has stone slabs over any formerly boggy parts.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Cocklawfoot, Cheviots. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Description

Stage 1

It's possible to park at the end of the narrow minor road up the Bowmont Water, in a grassy area on the right just before the ford at Cocklawfoot Farm. Begin the walk by crossing the footbridge beside the ford and turning right through a gate near the first barn; there's a footpath marker here.

Stage 2

The track soon becomes grassy underfoot as it climbs the broad ridge. Pass through a gate and then a band of trees and continue up the well-graded track. It contours round the southern slopes of a 373m outlying hill (crowned by an iron-age hill fort) and then bypasses the top of White Knowe. There are lovely views of the whole horsehoe walk stretching ahead. The route follows the line of Clennell Street, a drove road which for centuries was an important trade route linking Kelso with Morpeth.

Stage 3

The clear grassy track continues towards the main ridge, passing through a gate in a fence before a steeper climb. The views back are now superb, with the Schil dominating the rolling grassy hills, whilst the Cheviot (which is wholly in England) dominates over to the left. Eventually a gate is reached in the border fence that divides Scotland and England.

Stage 4

Pass through the gate and turn right alongside the fence. This is part of the Pennine Way, and massive stone slabs make crossing any boggy sections easy. The gentle dome of Windy Gyle is in view ahead. Pass through another gate to continue by the fence, passing an ancient marker cairn.

Stage 5

Continue until a stile and finger post indicate where to cross the fence and visit the massive cairn on the summit of Windy Gyle. This is known as Russell's Cairn after Lord Alfred Russell who was shot here and killed in 1585, at a meeting supposedly held under truce. The cairn itself, however, is much older; it's a bronze-age burial site. It is topped by a trig point. Begin the descent by heading west from the cairn, following the Pennine Way.

Stage 6

When the Pennine Way passes through a gate to return to the English side of the fence, keep to the right of the fence, remaining in Scotland. A clear path contours the flank of Windy Rigg, curving round to the north. Keep to the right of a fence that descends the broad ridge to the north, following a grassy track. Don't pass through the gate, but continue down the grassy ridge known as Kelsocleuch Rig - a delightful descent in good weather.

Stage 7

Eventually the ridge path does pass through a gate, and then descends a firebreak through the woods ahead. At the bottom end of the wood don't go through the gate to the farm, instead turning left along a track along the bottom edge of the trees. Turn right when it meets a track, and right again when a larger track is reached. This leads down to the burn below the farm of Kelsocleuch; turn left to return to the start. Note the beautifully constructed circular sheepfolds.

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