We are the Ponteland Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
A gentle incline takes us from the carpark upto the Derwent walk for an easy first leg to our day. As we near Ebchester, the walk affords us grand views of the Derwent valley. Descending from the rail path to Ebchester village, the route cuts through the site of the Roman fort of Vindomora and then onto the scenic boathouse location on the Derwent River. We cut off the loop in the river to get to the footbridge for our crossing of the Derwent which we follow to Blackhall Mill for a lunch stop. Afterwards, ascending the Northern side of the valley to skirt around the edge of Chopwell village and then down through wooded slopes to the return river crossing east of Blackhall Mill. Our final leg passes the historic and picturesque Derwentcote steel furnace as we return to the carpark.
Terrain: Bridleway, Riverside paths , Forestry paths , gravel paths, pavement, Urban lanes and footpaths. Several stiles. There are a couple of short moderate steep inclines, and three longer gentle inclines. If preceding days are wet, paths will be subject to mud. Grade : Moderate.
Refreshments: lunch stop en route. At end of walk, nearest cafe is the highly acclaimed Riverview Bakery at Blackhall Mill, two minutes drive from start point.( we pass close by the cafe midway during the walk, if sufficient interest we can detour to pick-up take-aways).
Derwentcote Car Park near Hamsterley Mill. Nearest Post code NE39 1NG, W3W fatigued.lawful.unicorns. Grid ref. NZ131562. Directions to start point: from Ponteland access A1 southbound to junction 73, take sliproad off and follow A694 SP Consett and Whickham. Continue on A694 following SP for Consett. Carpark is SP and on left side of road after passing through Hamsterley Mill. Journey time approx 30 mins.
