The Belling at Kielder Water
This is a delightful walk onto
the small peninsula of The Belling at Kielder Water.
You will have great views of the lake and dam, see
the old Falstone mine, the ruins of a bastle house
and experience the Wave Chamber on the Belling itself.
Distance: 3.6Km (2.2 miles).
Route plan
Total Elevation: 85m (280ft).
Difficulty: Easy
OS Map Reference: NY 707 882 GB
Grid. Explorer
Map OL42, Landranger
Map 80
Parking: Pay and display parking
at Hawkhope Car Park. However, there is free parking
just across the dam.
Toilet Facilities: Yes
Refreshments Facilities: None
at site, but shops and café at Tower Knowe and Leaplish
Water Park. Pub and tea rooms in Falstone village.
Accessibility: For the most part
good for pushchairs and wheelchair users. However,
the Belling itself can only be accessed on foot.
Kielder has many other suitable trails around the
shore line to make a great family day out.
The Walk
For the most part this trail
is marked by orange way markers. However, what I
describe here is very much the reverse route as
I prefer to save the best of the walk until last.
From the far end of the Hawkhope
car park, follow the path up and away from the water's
edge. You will soon see an orange way marker on
your left. Go straight past this as this is our
finish point. Follow the path up and onto the Forestry
Commission road (North Haul Road). Turn left at
the road and follow this past the old disused Falstone
mine. The site is now used by a coal merchant. Soon
after the mine you will see a path that leaves the
road left. This is sign posted “Wave Chamber”. Take
this path as it leads onto The Belling.
Follow the path around The Belling
to the Wave Chamber. There are still orange way
markers for this path, though it is well trodden
and easy to follow. The return path from the Wave
chamber will follow the edge of the Water.
Keep following the path. It will
take eventually take you back onto part of the path
you have already trodden. This is so that you can
get around the marsh on your right. Turn right onto
this familiar path, but look out for a prepared
pathway on your right. Take this route as you now
follow the line of the lake. This route takes you
through the forest. The path is hard to see at times,
but always stay within 20 meters or so of the water's
edge. Orange way markers mark the route, but point
back to The Belling. The path will lead you to the
remains of a bastle house. Continue to following
the path back to the car park. |
