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| UK: North East: Northumberland: Cheviot Challenge Routes |
The BHS in Northumberland is working with the Northumberland National Park to create a new equestrian tourism network of routes in the Cheviot Hills – to be known as the CHEVIOT CHALLENGE ROUTES.
There are five valleys –
four in Northumberland and one over the Border in Scotland.
The
Coquet Valley (Alwinton)
The Breamish Valley (Ingram)
The Harthope Valley (Wooler)
The College Valley (Kirknewton)
The Bowmont Valley (Yetholm)
Our aim is to promote
a ‘there and back’ route between each adjacent valley with an accommodation
provider in each valley. In
addition, we hope to have short circular rides in each valley.
This will produce a flexible
network that can provide equally well for those who want a long weekend away
with their horses and for those who prefer a longer holiday of a week or more.
Rest days can be inserted at any point which could give riders the
opportunity to enjoy the many tourist attractions of the area, ranging from
Alnwick Castle and Gardens and the National Trust property at Cragside to the
Northumberland Coast and Holy Island or one of the many castles or abbeys of the
Scottish Borders.
These routes are
challenging! The long valley to
valley routes will take you across open hill country on historic tracks used for
centuries for trade and for theft and plunder during the time of the Border
Reivers. Much of this is remote
country. You will meet plenty of sheep and grouse and will see wonderful views,
but you are unlikely to see many people and you may find you have the place to
yourselves!
These bridleways have been
restored and improved by the Northumberland National Park and the Tweed Trails
Trust on the Scottish side, so, as long as you keep to the tracks, which are
mostly grassy, you will not encounter bogs or gates that are a struggle to open.
But you will need to be able to map read and you and your horse will need
to be fit to cope with the hills and the distance.
Even in high summer, you will need to carry warm clothing and waterproofs
as when the wind blows or the rain sheets down it can be distinctly cold!
However, when you reach your
destination, you will be welcomed into a warm farmhouse with good facilities for
your horse and even better food for yourselves!
It
is recommended that
you read the BHS
Advisory Leaflet ‘Hill and Moorland Riding’
Contact
the CABO for BHS Northumberland, Sue Rogers on sue@greencroftpark.freeserve.co.uk
or phone 01665 578 885 for detailed route information
(map and
route
description) and a list of
accommodation providers.
This paths and tracks making up this route can be seen on the following Ordnance Survey maps.
- Outdoor
Leisure 16
- Explorer 332
