Get Lost Mountaineering

3. Byrness to Chew Green via Pennine Way

Start/Finish

Small parking area in front of Byrness Church just off the A68 main road between Corbridge and Jedburgh. If coming from the south, the turning is just after a derelict petrol station where there is plenty of extra parking if needed.

Distance/Time

8 km    About 3 - 4 hours

Peaks

Byrness Hill, 414 m, NT 774 033.

Ravens Knowe, 527 m, NT 780 062.

OS 80: Cheviot Hills & Kielder Water.    OL 16: The Cheviot Hills.

Introduction

Once on the crest, this is a pleasant walk from Byrness Hill to Chew Green. Unfortunately, the ascent from Byrness to Byrness Hill is steep, rough and boggy. It may be the most brutal ascent on the whole Pennine Way. On a clear day there are good views to other ridges. Chew Green is the remains of a Roman Camp which some may wish to explore although there is nothing obvious to see from the Pennine Way. On the crest, the ground is mainly good with the occasional boggy patch. The route crosses the England – Scotland border below Ogre Hill and again just before Chew Green. A public road is within a few hundred metres of the sign post at Chew Green if you wish to save the next stage for another day.

Route

(1) From Byrness Church, walk NW along the A68 for a short distance to reach a signpost on the opposite side of the road which indicates where the Pennine Way path leaves the A68. Follow the path which takes a slight detour to avoid a house and much of its grounds. If you end up back on the A68 then you have missed a signpost. Cross a forestry track and start ascending through the trees,. Descend to cross a bridge just before a second track after which the path becomes quite boggy thanks to motorcyclists. Continue up, crossing 2 further tracks then head up rough ground towards Byrness Hill on a ridge high above. This section of ground is often overgrown and littered with rocks and boulders. Care is needed with a few steps on the way before the path reaches better ground below the summit of Byrness Hill. A little further there is a small cairn then a larger one which is the summit of Byrness Hill, 414 m.

(2) Continue N, on the grassy path, going over Saughy Crag, Houx Hill and Windy Crag before starting the ascent up Ravens Knowe. On the top is a large cairn which is the summit of Ravens Knowe, 527 m. It is about 3 km from Byrness Hill.

(3) Descend NNW then ascend onto Ogre Hill before descending to a col, passing 2 signs for paths on the descent. Pass through a boggy gate and enter Scotland. Soon after, the path turns ENE and reaches a signpost near Coquet Head. Here the Pennine Way splits. Take the right fork; the left fork ois labelled alternative route. Follow the right fork to reach a gate where one crosses back into England. Abut 500 m further, reach a signpost where the Coquet Valley is straight on (the road is fairly close). This is as far as this route goes on the Pennine Way. If continuing on the Pennine Way turn left at this signpost, NT 791 083. There is no mention of Chew Green at this signpost! If transport awaits then go straight on at the signpost for the Coquet Valley and soon reach the road.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 19^th September, 2019.