Simonside – Aug 2026

£19.00

Date: Saturday 22 August 2026
Time:  4:00 pm
Distance: 9 miles
Difficulty: Difficult (hills)

10 places left

Description

Simonside

The Simonside Walk is here to allow everyone to see what the traditional Christmas Walk looks like in Summer.  It’s very different.

Simonside - Simonside 29092013 16

Details

Hills: General - AscentKey2-98x27 Significant hills
Distance: General - DistanceKey1-98x27 Medium distance
Grade: General - GradeKey2-98x27 Moderate (Hills)
Map: General - OL42-KielderWaterForest-Map-thumb
This walk is on OS maps OL42 Kielder Water & Forest.  Click on map image to buy this map.
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The start

We will set off from Rothbury towards Whittondean, following a route up to Lordenshaws.  Before long we are treated to great views over Rothbury.

ChristmasWalk - ChristmasWalk2022 Martin 3

Lordenshaws

Close to Lordenshaws, there are examples of ancient cup and ring markings.  Lordenshaws car park is the usual start for a walk up Simonside, but the walk wouldn’t take long from here, hence the reason we start from Rothbury.  From Lordenshaws, we take the main path up the side of Simonside.  The first high point we reach is the Beacon.  There is a long flat section to the base of Dove Crag.

All that remains here is the short walk up to Dove Crag.  At Christmas, this is where the decorated tree is.

Break

We will enjoy our break at Dove Crag, while looking at the spectacular views of the Coquet Valley.

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The way back

The return is either straight off from Dove Crag and into the Woods.  Alternatively, we can walk the Simonside Ridge and come down from Simonside Crag, via the stone steps.  Then we walk down a forest track and return via the woods and Whitton Hillhead farm, before joining the path we took earlier, to walk back to the car park.

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After the walk

As the walk is later we will just be able to go for a drink.

We hope you can join us.

Julie and Martin x

Gallery – Simonside


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Strolls with Poles – Nordic Walking for Fun and Fitness

Location

This shows the start location for this walk.

Nearest postcode: NE65 7SH
OS Grid Reference: NU 05709 01514
What 3 Words: ///jolly.winds.aimless
Parking: We will park in Haugh Car Park.  This is just across the footbridge, over the River Coquet, from Rothbury.  This car park is free.
Toilets: The nearest toilets are on Bridge Street, in the village.