Thrunton Woods Walk 1

visiting Coe Crags and Long Crag

Length 7.5 miles

Location OS Landranger Sheet 81 Start point NU085098

How to get there Going north on the A697 Wooler road about 400yard past the crossroads with the B6341 the lane to Thunton Woods is straight ahead when the A697 bears right at the top of the rise.

Run along this narrow road about two miles to the Forestry Commission Woodland Walks car park on the left.

Download walk instructions Click Here

This walk comprises most of the southern part of the clockwise "Red Route"

START Take the main footpath leading up into the wood, follow the red arrows.
Stay on this main track until it comes to a T junction then take it left.
Stay on this foresters track as it leads along, down and left, Coe Crags can be seen ahead.
The track heads back towards the approach road
The signs will indicate where to cross the stream to your right.

It can be a bit muddy on the far bank. Follow the path up through the wood.
The track leads upward left and then right, opening on to moorland with spectacular views to the north, and east towards the coast.
Coe Crags are now in front of you to the west
Follow the broad track along the north facing escarpment.

To the South is the unmistakable profile of Simonside
On Coe Crags

Long Crag seen in the distance
Pass along a wide curving path to Long Crag
A path leads beyond Long Crag and then northward down quite a steep bank which can be slippy when wet.
Looking back up to the crags
From the bottom of the bank follow the path right and down to join a track.
Take a path that can be seen going left and uphill.

It will pass an old gate
Over the brow of the hill head for a shelter/cairn through the heather pathways.
Great views to both north and west
The path now crosses right over open ground and into a wood . Follow it upward past a pond/marshy area.

Through a gate take the path right to a main forest track.

Take this track left and it will come to a long path bearing east.
This path is now on the top of Callaly Crags and passes along Thrunton Crags as it heads north - east past some superb viewing points and then downhill at an easy gradient.
At the recently cleared area take the path right then left and downhill to the start point
Back to start