Wooler is perfectly placed for walking in the Northumberland National Park which is right next door, but it’s also only 30 minutes away from the epic Northumberland coastline, so stay in Wooler and you get to see it all! Following are some suggestions to look into – the Tourist Office in Wooler will have maps, walks to follow and walk books for all levels of ability/enthusiasm! Please also check with them about walks that might still be closed after Storm Arwen – a lot of forestry tracks are still unsafe even now and probably will continue to be for many months. Wooler also has lovely shops that will provide excellent picnic material, or please ask the hotel to make you a packed lunch, we make a hearty one!
Wooler Common onto St Cuthbert’s Way
Just on the other side of town is a small car park where you can leave the car for a casual amble with the dog, or start something more ambitious. Head up through the woods and before you know it you’re looking down onto Wooler and can either join St Cuthbert’s Way, or strike off on other tracks to Humbleton Hill or over the hills and away. There are various circular walks you can do based around St Cuthbert’s Way; if you’re super keen, you can even plan to walk the whole of it but that certainly isn’t a day trip!
Humbleton Hillfort
There are a couple of versions of the walk up to Humbleton Hillfort and back, one about 4 miles, the other 6. What you should know is that it’s quite a steep climb up; the kids will run up it, but the older generation may have to stop and enjoy the view a couple of times along the way. It’s worth it though, the views are epic, and you can still make out the hillfort and visualise what it must have been like to live up there.
College Valley
Just to the West of Wooler is one of the Park’s hidden gems – the College Valley. You can fashion a leisurely walk along the river, or a circular walk up onto the hills above and back around. You can’t go wrong, whatever your level of fitness.
Breamish Valley
Not far South of us is the gorgeous Breamish Valley. Park the car and start the walk with a cuppa at the Ingram Cafe, then, suitably fortified, head along the valley or up into the spectacular hills around. In the spring you’ll encounter lambs everywhere, and also curlews calling and lapwings circling. It’s breathtaking.
Harthope Valley
Another gorgeous valley, what can we say, we have a lot of them! This area was especially enjoyed by both Daniel Defoe and Sir Walter Scott, and provides access to the three highest Cheviot Hills which watch over Harthope Burn; the highest hill, The Cheviot (815m) is accessible from Langleeford at the end of valley. Make sure you pack all-weather clothes if you want to tackle these hills – it’s not always as clement at the top as it is at the bottom!
Northumberland Coastal Path
The path along Northumberland’s spectacular coast can be done in walk sizes of any length you like. You can plan to take in fish and chips and a castle at Bamburgh, Craster and Warkworth, or just pick a spot to walk along to enjoy the views and try to spot a dolphin or two. And don’t forget to bring your swimming costume in case you want to take a refreshing dip from one of the epic sweeps of beach you’ll almost certainly encounter.
