The Cheviot - Half Marathon Route

Check out the route on Strava

I parked the car a couple of miles into the Harthorpe Valley. In terms of a nearest postcode - NE71 6RD Middleton Hall nr Wooler. It's a very narrow road - every 500m or so there are parking spaces on the grass openings. The run is around 10km out along the Harthorpe Burn stream. The surface turns from tarmac to pretty much a mix of stream and bog. All up hill. Forget any thoughts of clocking your usual time. Forget any thoughts of running the entire route - you'll have to walk sections. Once you start to climb up to the top of the ridge the path gets stony and dry, but very steep. Make sure you have the right clothing for the weather conditions too. Even though I did it in the summer, it was windy and cold on top. Once on top of the ridge, the hard bit is over - the top of the ridge is actually paved with large paving slabs. Then the descent is quite nice on soft springy soil. I finished the run a few hours ago and am completely exhausted - and I've done 20 half marathons this year - so if you try this out, think of rests/food/clothing and look after yourself. It's awesome though - the highest point in England outside of Peak/Lake District.
 
Selected photos...

The nice tarmac surface starts to get stoney
The nice tarmac path starts to get stoney
High up the valley the sun tries its hardest to peak out

Join the Pennine Way
The last 1km to the top is lovely actually - after the hilly boggy bits previously
Amazing flag stones in the middle of nowhere

Strava Segment of note:

Pennine Way Climb - If you fancy a sprint to the top - go for it!

Useful links:

Harthorpe Valley tourist page...

https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/places-to-visit/the-cheviots/harthope-valley/

The Pennine Way...

https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-way/

Series:

For a list of different half marathon routes around the North East of England see:

- https://northeastrunning.blogspot.com/2020/07/north-east-half-marathon-running-routes.html

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