Starting from Hethpool, this walk takes you to Ring Chesters hillfort above Elsdonburn Farm and offers stunning views along the way.
Many of the hills around the College Valley are topped by hillforts. This concentration is impressive and is one of the features that makes the College Valley so intriguing.
From the car park turn right and follow the road back through the hamlet of Hethpool.
Follow the road as it turns left, passing the private drive to Hethpool house on the right, continue on along this road, crossing the Elsdon Burn.
At the sheep pens, where the main valley road turns to the right, take the road to the left. After a short distance leave the road and follow the path uphill on the right, signed ‘Ring Chesters’.
Continue on and head for the corner of the plantation. Cross the fence at the stile and bear right, after a short distance join the wide grassy track and continue to follow this uphill.
As the path heads downhill, turn left and climb uphill to East Laddies Knowe, the first of the hillforts on this walk.
Continue along the path.
Just before the top of the hill turn right off the main track and follow the path through the bracken to the fence ahead.
Cross the stile at Black Bog and after a short climb turn left and head to the corner of the wall. Continue to follow this wall to the next corner (keeping the wall on your left).
Go through the gate in the corner of the wall. After a short distance turn right and follow the path through the plantation.
When you emerge from the trees cross the stile and climb to the top of the hill in front of you.
Having explored the hillfort continue along the ridge, on joining the grassy track turn left and continue downhill to Elsdonburn Farm.
Continue through the gate and along the tarmac road.
Just after the junction leave the road and turn right, signed Great Hetha, cross the stile and the burn and follow the fence uphill, keeping the fence on your right.
For an easier route back continue along the road until you meet the College Valley road. Turn right and return through Hethpool to the car park.
At the top of the hill cross the stile in the wall just off to the right, and continue straight ahead along the track
You can take a short detour before crossing the stile and visit Little Hetha hillfort along to the left.
Keeping the plantation on your left continue downhill, on joining the valley road turn left and follow the road back to the car park.
The starting point for the walk is Hethpool Car Park.
Going north past Wooler on the A697, turn left at Akeld onto the B6351. Go past Kirknewton village, and just after the stone bridge look out for a left turn signed ‘Hethpool’. The car park is approx 2 miles along the single track road on the left.
Grid Ref: NT 894 280
W3W: crown.asserts.newlyweds
