© Crown Copyright and database rights (2014) Ordnance Survey Licence Number 100022521

Grade: Moderate Distance: 2 miles (3 km) Time: 1 hour 30 mins Map: OS OL16 1:25000 The Cheviot HillsHethpool Wild Goat Walk

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Please use an OS map on this walk

Start OS Grid Ref: NT 893 280 Parking: Hethpool Car Park

Local Services: Wooler & Milfield Public Toilets: Wooler

Terrain: Road, tracks and footpaths - can be muddy during the autumn and winter months

Description: A lovely family walk to Hethpool Linn, a dramatic waterfall on the CollegeBurn, returning along St Cuthbert’s Way - we can’t guarantee it, but a good vantage point to see the wild Cheviot goats.

From the car park turn right and walkalong the road. As the road bears to theleft, go through the gate on the right andfollow the track signed ‘St Cuthbert’s Way’down the hill to the stile on the left. Crossthe stile and follow the path through thefield to the wicket gate in the wall ahead.

Go through the gate and continue on, cross the boardwalk and bear right upto the corner of the fence, keep the fenceon the left and carry on to the next stile.Cross the stile and the footbridge and continue straight on along the path, withthe wall on the right. At the junction takethe path down to the bridge.

Once over the bridge turn left, crossthe stile and turn right up the hill. As thepath bears off to the left continue straightahead to the gate in the deer fence.

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FAMILYFriendlyWalk

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Wild Cheviot Billy Goat

Wild Cheviot Goat near Yeavering Bell

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Hethpool and Yeavering Bell

To increase your chance of seeing the wildgoats follow the narrow path down to theleft through the gorse. Cross over the burn, go up the other side and over the stile.Continue along St Cuthbert’s Way for ashort distance and look for the goats on the lower slopes of Easter Tor on your right. Retrace your steps back to the stile.

Once through the gate turn right and join the well worn track over the hill,recently planted with trees. This section ofthe walk follows St Cuthbert’s Way. Takeyour time along this path and look up toyour left to the lower slopes of Wester Tor.This is usually a good spot to see the wildCheviot goats too.

Go through the gate in the deer fenceand follow the track through the recentlyfelled area. On leaving this enclosure followthe rough track downhill to the bridge overthe College Burn. Turn right over the bridgeand follow the road back to the hamlet ofHethpool and the car park.

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To Kirknewton,Wooler & Milfield

Look up to Wester Tor

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Hethpool Wild Goat Walk

Hethpool Linn in the College Valley

The male billy goatscan be identified bytheir large horns!

NorthumberlandNational ParkAuthority and theBritish Feral Goat Research Group workclosely with the landowners and farmers onwhose land the goats graze to manage thepopulation sustainably for the long termbenefit of everyone. Currently GPS trackingresearch is being undertaken by NewcastleUniversity. So don’t be surprised if you see agoat wearing a large collar - it is telling theresearchers where it is, by satellite.

Please keep dogs on a lead when in thevicinity of the goats and other livestock.

Wild Cheviot Billy Goat, College Valley

Wooler and the Cheviot Hills

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Wild Cheviot Goat and Kids, College Valley

Wild Cheviot Goat near Yeavering Bell

Getting thereFrom Wooler: Follow the A697 north outof Wooler for approx 2.5 miles. At Akeldturn left onto the B6351, signed ‘Kirknewton.’Continue along this road for 3.5 miles, passing Kirknewton and on to Westnewton.Turn left here onto the single track road,signed ‘Hethpool’. Continue along this singletrack road for 1.75 miles. Just beyondHethpool the car park is on the left.

Local facilitiesMilfield 8 miles north, is a small village onthe edge of the Cheviot Hills. Cafe Maelminis open all day, everyday, serving coffee andcakes, meals and snacks, beers and wines. Itis also a Northumberland National ParkInformation Point, with free WiFi. NE71 6JDwww.cafemaelmin.co.uk

Wooler 8 miles east, is a small town andgateway to the Cheviot Hills, making it anideal base for walking and cycling.

Wooler Tourist Information Centre, with freeWiFi, is packed with information on what todo, where to go and where to stay in andaround north Northumberland. NE71 6BLApril to October - Open every day. November to April - Monday to Saturday.www.wooler.org.uk

Kirk Yetholm 9 miles to the west, is a small village. The Border Hotel is also a NationalPark Information Point. Open daily for mealsand drink, it also offers accommodation. TD5 8PQ www.theborderhotel.com

Wild Cheviot GoatsThe feral goat herds in the Cheviots areregarded as an excellent example of ouroriginal landrace goat; the primitive, unim-proved goat that helped sustain people of theBritish isles from the times of the earliestNeolithic farmers. Evocative of bygone eras,and pre-dating all our modern goat breeds,the herds are of cultural and historic value.now living a totally wild existence, theseshaggy coated and long horned wild cheviotgoats are hardier than modern breeds.

The goats are approachable enough to offergood views and offer no threat to walkers ifleft alone. During most of the year, they arein small family groups, larger numbers maybe seen together during the autumn rutwhen clashes between males happen. Theykid from mid February onwards, femalessometimes leave new born kids lying up insheltered spots while they go off to graze.These are not abandoned so please leavethem where they are - mum will come backfor them eventually.

Hethpool