Alwinton, the last village as you travel towards the head of the River Coquet, lies on the route of an ancient drove road – Clennell Street. This walk takes you into the hills beyond the village and returns along Clennell Street.
From the car park turn right along the road that winds its way up the valley. At the fingerpost on the right, signed ‘Shillmoor’, go through the gate and follow the well-worn path as it climbs steadily uphill to a gate.
Go through the gate and carry on round the side of the hill. Once through the next gate continue straight on, crossing the farm track, and keeping to the grassy path.
After a short distance, the path drops steeply downhill towards the valley bottom and crosses another burn, Passpeth Sike. Once over the burn continue along the path which now runs parallel to the River Coquet. The path crosses another burn (which is a good sheltered spot for a picnic), continue along until you meet a farm track.
Turn right onto the farm track and follow this up the hill. Go through the gate at the top of the field and continue up towards Copper Snout.
Leave the main track just before the quarry and large boulder and take the grassy path off to the left. Keep to this path as it heads over the hill to the stile in front of the stone sheep stell.
Cross the stile and turn right, passing in front of the stell - the path can be wet here. Continue on, through the next gate and follow the path across the moorland to where it joins the forest track.
Turn right along this track.
This is the ancient route of Clennell Street, rich in history with remains of Bronze Age houses, Iron Age hillforts, Medieval farmsteads and whisky stills along the route of the old drove road.
As the forest tracks bears round to the left continue straight ahead downhill to the gate. Go through the gate and carry on along this well-defined track.
Leave the more obvious well worn track and take the grassy path off to the right, heading for the gate near the corner of the field.
Once through the gate continue on following the track all the way down to Alwinton. In the village turn right and cross over the burn, then follow the road past the Rose & Thistle back to the car park.
Leave the B6341 at the small hamlet of Swindon, signed Alwinton to the left. Follow the road through Harbottle and continue to Alwinton, the last hamlet in Upper Coquetdale. Park in the National Park car park at Alwinton, which is through the village on your right.
Leave the B6341 at the small hamlet of Flotterton, signed Alwinton to the right. Follow the road through Harbottle and continue to Alwinton, the last hamlet in Upper Coquetdale. Park in the National Park car park at Alwinton, which is through the village on your right.
