An invigorating hill walk with stunning views, visiting five hillforts.

Nov 2020 – Due to Timber Harvesting works a short section at the start of the route has been diverted. Please follow the signed footpath diversion. Also please adhere to all warning signs.  Work began on 16th November and will go on for approximately 3 months.

An invigorating hill walk with stunning views, visiting five hillforts. This route features some steep slopes, and the hilltops are very exposed in poor weather. Please wear good walking boots, take warm waterproof clothing with you, and refreshments.

The hills here are a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are protected by law from all forms of deliberate damage.

Please respect this ancient landscape and leave the stones as you find them. To protect wildlife and farm animals, please keep your dog on a lead/under close control at all times.

Look out for the Hillfort Trail waymarkers on this walk.

Walk overview

Walk difficulty
Moderate
Walk distance
4.5 miles / 7.2km
Walk duration
3.5 hours
Location
The Cheviots
Recommended OS Map
O.S. Explorer OL16 The Cheviot Hills
Accessible
No
Dog friendly
No

Step by step route

1. From the car park

From the car park cross the road and follow the path signed ‘Brough Law ¾’. At the top of the slope turn right and continue on uphill.

2. Follow path up hill

Carry on following the wide grassy path to the top of the hill.

3. At the corner of the plantation the path splits

At the corner of the plantation the path splits, continue straight ahead to the top of the Brough Law Hillfort.

Take some time to explore the hillfort and take in the views. Brough Law Hillfort has massive stone walls that have tumbled, but the ruins show the scale of the original ramparts.

When you have finished exploring retrace your steps back to where you entered the hillfort.

4. From the hillfort entrance turn right

From the hillfort entrance turn right and follow the narrow path around the outside of the hillfort. At the junction turn right and continue along the wide grassy track.

5. Ignore the path off to the left

Ignore the path off to the left and continue straight on.

6. Follow the path as it bears left

Follow the path as it bears left and over the brow of the hill.

7. At the corner of the field continue straight ahead

At the corner of the field continue straight ahead, keeping the fence on your left.

8. Go over the stile in the corner of the field

Go over the stile in the corner of the field and follow the path downhill for a short distance to Middle Dean Hillfort.

Turn sharp right along the path to the next stile (during the summer months this path can be difficult to find because of the bracken.) Middle Dean Hillfort has striking and well preserved ramparts overlooking a dramatic ravine.

9. Once over the stile continue up to the left to the next stile

Once over the stile continue up to the left to the next stile. Cross the stile and follow the path as it winds its way uphill to Cochrane Pike.

10. On reaching Cochrane Pike turn left

On reaching Cochrane Pike turn left and follow the track along the broad ridge.

At Cochrane Pike Hillfort the remains of four hut circles can be seen.

11. Just before the next hillfort turn left

Just before the next hillfort turn left. You now have Wether Hill Hillfort on your right. Feel free to go and explore the hillfort – within this one you can see the remnants of roundhouses.

12. Bear left at the junction

Bear left at the junction. The path heads gently downhill, then more steeply with a narrow gully on your left.

13. At the bottom of the hill go through the wicket gate

At the bottom of the hill go through the wicket gate, over the stream and at the top of the hill continue straight ahead following the narrow grassy path.

14. Pass through another wicket gate

Pass through another wicket gate and continue on.

15. On joining the wide grassy track turn right

On joining the wide grassy track turn right. Follow this downhill until you join the stone track, turn left onto the narrow grassy path and carry on.

Ingram Hill Hillfort is the lowest-lying hillfort in the Breamish Valley, and contains the remains of stone buildings which were added long after the hillfort was built.

16. Turn left onto the stone track

Turn left onto the stone track and follow this down to the valley road. On reaching the valley road turn left and walk back to the car park.

Walk route

Getting there

The Breamish Valley is very easy to get to if you are travelling either from the south or from the Scottish Borders.

Travelling from Newcastle, follow the A1 north and turn off onto the A697 to Coldstream and Wooler. Stay on the A697 until you see the sign to Breamish Valley, just north of Powburn. Journey Time from Newcastle to Ingram in the Breamish Valley is approximately 1 hour.

Travelling from The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, either take the scenic route across to Rothbury to join the A697, or drive along the A69 to the A1.  Journey Time from The Sill to Ingram in the Breamish Valley is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Travelling from Coldstream, follow the A697 south until you see the sign to Breamish Valley, just north of Powburn. Journey Time from Coldstream to Ingram in the Breamish Valley is approximately 40 minutes.

Journey Time from Edinburgh to Ingram in the Breamish Valley is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.