Hamsterley Forest via Doctor's Gate

Overview

This route starts from Hamsterley Village following quiet country lanes through Howlea Bridge and Knitsley Fell before changing into bridleway past Blackburn Lodge and Doctors Gate. The Track leads you to a North West entrance of Hamsterley Forest. At the Forest you can either go "off-piste" at your leisure (if you are still feeling energetic) or simply press on back to Hamsterley Village by taking the Grove exit.

The Route

1. Depart from the village green T-junction signposted Bedburn.
2. The road descends steeply as you take the slight left handed bend and after half a mile take the junction on the right.
3. Descend to Howlea Bridge then climb up Howlea Lane continuing over Knitsley Fell.
4. At the Give Way sign keep heading North West (effectively straight on) then after about three-quarters of a mile turn sharp left uphill through "No Through Road" signs.
5. Follow the road up a loose section which rejoins the tarmac after a short while.
6. Proceed due South downhill to Harthope Beck and up past St Johns Hall.
7. The tarmac ends at a gate marking Blackburn Lodge. Continue up the track to Doctor's Gate. The gate is at the junction of several stone walls.
8. There are several possible routes from the gate but the middle route is the right of way taking you through defunct quarry workings.
9. The very broken track becomes steeper and more challenging taking you down to the entrance of Hamsterley Forest where you will come across a gate.
10. Proceed down an even steeper bridlway. At the bottom of the hill go through Ayhop Beck then up Potato Hill.
11. Turn left at the Forest crossroads at the top to skirt the fields of Redford. The road ends in a hairpin descent through Frog Wood to another ford which leads you to the tarmac section at The Grove.
12. Turn right then sharp left over the bridge and climb up Windy Bank to Rackwood Hill. Turn left at the T-junction and continue back to Hamsterley Village.