Copper Snout Ride Grade: Strenuous Distance: 11 Miles (17.7Km) Time: 4 - 4 Hours 30 Mins Map: OS OL16 1:25000 the Cheviot Hills
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Supported by Copper Snout Ride Grade: Strenuous Distance: 11 miles (17.7km) Time: 4 - 4 hours 30 mins Map: OS OL16 1:25000 The Cheviot Hills This publication includes mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright and/or Start OS Grid Ref: NT 926 073 database right 2009. Licence Number 100022521. Parking: Clennell Farm - Please take care not to block the roads or gateways Toilets: Alwinton - National Park car park Local services: Pubs in Harbottle, Alwinton and B Clennell Hall, shops and further services in Rothbury Nearest National Park Centre: Rothbury Terrain: Off road bridleways, stone and grassy tracks, tarmac road, some steep ascents and descents Gates: 18 Ford crossings: 3 small burns Description: A moderately challenging ride into the hills of Coquetdale, with stunning views of the valley and surrounding hills. Northumberland BERWICK National Park NP National Park Centre C Hadrian’s Wall Watch out for: Large vehicles - A1 forestry, agricultural and NORTHUMBERLAND military on roads and tracks. Wooler You may come across troops A697 Ingram NP A ALNWICK training with blank Ingram Powburn Clennell A1 ammunition on the hills Rothbury NP Alwinton Rothbury above Shillmoor. Byrness A68 B6341Elsdon KIELDER WATER Kielder & FOREST Otterburn A696 MORPETH B6320 Bellingham A68 A1 A696 NP Once Brewed A69 NEWCASTLE Please use an OS map on this ride Haltwhistle HEXHAM www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk 1/3 Supported by Copper Snout Ride A Clennell to Wholehope Clennell Street is an ancient droving route B Wholehope to Shillmoor As the track curves to the right to Ride up the stone track as it heads up linking England and Scotland. It provided a After passing the remains of Wholehope approach Shillmoor, drop down to the the Alwin Valley towards Kidland Forest, well-used highway for the movement of Youth Hostel on your right, continue left onto the public bridleway, as it keeping to the grass verges wherever cattle and other goods, both legally and on the clear track until it joins the follows the wall and the River Coquet possible. ill-gotten gains of the Border Reiver times. forestry road.Turn left onto this. downstream. The droving trade was at its peak during Shortly after a gentle bend, take the Just before the edge of the forest, take You are likely to see a variety of wildlife the 17th and 18th Centuries, with many clear track on the left hand side, leading the bridleway to the left and follow this on this ride. Birds includes buzzard, kestrel, thousands of cattle being driven from into the trees. steeply uphill. Continue along the narrow pastures in Scotland to fairs and markets heron, dipper, wagtail, wheatear, lapwing track across the hillside to a wicket gate. in England, at an average rate of 12 miles After a short distance, go through the and curlew.You may be lucky enough to gate alongside the cattle grid, then turn catch a glimpse of shy mammals such as Cross the corner of the field to a second a day. right and follow the track as it winds roe deer, red squirrel and foxes.This area gate. Wholehope used to be a shepherd's gently downhill. also boasts ideal habitat for Britain's only Turn right onto Clennell Street and house, built around 1603 and was last venomous snake, the adder. Adders will Pass through the field gate and continue follow the clear track, until you reach occupied in 1942. It then became a Youth move away, generally before you even the descent towards Shillmoor Farm. the tin shed and remains of a building Hostel until 1960, when it was closed as a know they are there but you may catch This section of the route is included by on the hilltop at Wholehope. result of its remote location. a glimpse of one during hot weather. kind permission of the Ministry of Ensure you allow them time to move Defence (MOD) as part of a campaign out of your way. to increase awareness of access opportunities on the Otterburn Ranges. Adder Red squirrel Roe deer Upper Coquetdale near Alwinton www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk 2/3 Supported by Copper Snout Ride C Shillmoor to Clennell out the remains of Linbriggs medieval village Getting there Please observe the Countryside Code on the haugh on the far side of the River whilst riding in the National Park and also Go through the wicket gate and cross From Rothbury, take the B6341travelling Coquet. During Border Reiver times, men ride with consideration of other visitors: the small burn, then follow the narrow through Thropton. At Flotterton Farm of Coquetdale used to keep a round-the- track across the hillside. Be careful crossing take the right, signposted Harbottle • Ride carefully and quietly through farm clock watch at the nick at the top of Pass the burn as the bank side is steep and and Alwinton. Follow this road up the livestock, especially around young animals stony.You may want to dismount and lead. Peth to give warning of raids. valley, passing through Sharperton and • Do consider other users of the bridleways Follow the clear track as it descends to Harbottle. Before reaching Alwinton, and tracks An alternative the Coquet Valley road. Go through the take the right signed Clennell Hall. is to follow the farm track back to • Don't approach other people at fast wicket gate and turn left to follow the Continue past Clennell Hall, crossing a Shillmoor, then turn left onto the road, speeds - walk or trot quietly past other road down to Alwinton village. cattle grid, follow the track as it skirts crossing the bridge, and follow the road users, making sure that they know you Clennell Farm and park considerately. are there before passing. as it leads back towards Alwinton. Pass through the village and bear right, Parking has been agreed by kind over the bridge.Take the road on the left • Do take care to ensure all gates are left Take the farm track descending to the permission of Clennell Farm. Please before the next road bridge, and follow as you find them. river to the right of the sheep stell and take care not to block the roads or the road back to Clennell and your vehicle. cross the river at the clear fording gateways as access is required at all The Otterburn Ranges point.Then follow the track uphill The name 'Copper Snout' is likely to have times, and take all litter home with you. The Otterburn Ranges (MOD) have two until it rejoins the bridleway. come from the green colour found in the access zones - rock, fragments of which may be visible Safety and Code of Conduct • Open access area in the Coquet Valley on the track. The rock type is Andesite, This route has been prepared by riders, Follow the track steeply uphill on Pass is utilised by troops for dry training only. Peth, another ancient drove road. Have a an igneous rock laid down in volcanic for riders, it is intended as a guide • Controlled access area which has rest at the top, you may be able to make lavas about 300 million years ago. only. Users must carry the relevant OS map with them, and use their own public access opportunities when training judgment when exploring the routes. is not taking place. You know your horse best - if you are For further details visit: in any doubt, be prepared to get off www.otterburnranges.co.uk and lead. It is sensible to carry a few safety essentials with you e.g. hoofpick, lead rope, first aid kit, mobile phone. Further advice regarding riding safely in the hills is available at: www.northumberlandnational park.co.uk/horseriding Copper Snout ride All photos ©: Simon Fraser,Tracy Hall, NNPA www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk 3/3.