Lewisburn
This is one of my favourite walks
around the Kielder area. Lewisburn can be found
off the main road to Kielder village at the Lewisburn
picnic site. This walk takes through the forest
over Forestry Commission roads and then cuts down
to the beautiful Lewisburn. From here you get a
feel for the past lives of the inhabitants of the
part of Northumberland. Ruined farm houses, picturesque
scenery, old quarries and also names like Whisky
Sike and Peat Sike give you a sense of life in the
not too distant past. There are also other features
that give this place a real sense of once being
living, working part of the forest.
Distance: 6.9Km (4.3 miles).
Route plan
Total Elevation: 128m (420ft).
Difficulty: moderate (some difficult
paths and a steady hill climb. Suitable footware
essential)
OS Map Reference:NY 635 896 GB
Grid. Explorer
Map OL42, Landranger
Map 80
Parking: Free parking at the
Lewisburn picnic site car park off the main Kielder
road.
Toilet Facilities: None at Lewisburn,
but some at Matthews Linn which is close by.
Refreshments Facilities: None at site.
Accessibility: This particular walk can only be
completed on foot. But much of the area is made
up of prepared roads and paths so is very accessible
all year to all users.
The Walk
Park at the picnic area of Lewisburn.
Head upstream of the Lewis Burn. Briefly walk on
The Forestry Commission road leading the Bloody
Bush. Look out for the way marked path on your right
that takes you off the road and by the river. Follow
this path up stream. It leads back on the road to
a place called “The Forks”. You will
see a bridge ahead of you and two cottages on you
right. The road to your left before the bridge is
your exit point for this walk.
Go over the bridge and take The Forestry
Commission road on your first left. This road leads
into a steady climb. The road should level out. You
need to take a left turn onto a path through the
woods. Look out for the small Cairn on your left
called Deeds Cairn. There will also be a Forestry
Commission road ahead of you leading right. This
road has darker tarmac and has a barrier. The cairn marks a
clearing in the wood that is the public footpath
you need to take. You may just make out the path
in the undergrowth. Follow this path down the hill.
You will eventually come to the Lewis Burn near
to Low Long House. You will need to take the path
left and follow the Lewis Burn. However, a small
detour right takes you to Low Long House. Follow
the path along the route of the Lewis Burn. You
will need to cross Pack Horse Bridge to stay on
the path. Eventually you will return to “The
Forks”. Then follow your path back to the
Lewisburn Car Park.
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