Burnhope Reservoir - Dead Stones Cairn - Burnhope Seat Circular

Alan Anderson

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Burnhope Reservoir - Highwatch Currick - Dead Stones Cairn - Burnhope Seat - Harwood Common - Burnhope Reservoir

A high fell walk starting from Burnhope Reservoir to bag the North Pennine peaks of Dead Stones, Burnhope Seat and Harwood Common, before returning down Burnhope Moor to traverse the northern shoreline of the reservoir. Except for the area around the reservoir, almost all of the route is across Open Access Land.

From the reservoir the route initially ascends a steep, walled lane to emerge onto the open moor. Compass-bearing walking follows as the route gradually ascends the long, rough, marshy moor, passes the trig point and cairn of Highwatch Currick, then continues to rise along White Edge to arrive at the large stone cairn called Dead Stones. The route then heads south following a long fenceline which is also the border between Durham and Cumbria, to intersect Burnhope Seat, the highest point on the walk. Peat hags become a regular feature along this section of the walk. From Burnhope Seat the route continues to follow the fenceline to the cairn on Harwood Common before turning east to intersect the wide shooters' track on Burnhope Moor. The track leads you down the northern slope of the moor to intersect the Burnhope Burn in the valley bottom. Riverside walking follows to intersect the reservoir, where the route passes along the track on the northern shore of the reservoir to end the walk.

Take a compass on this walk; you may need it if the mists descend on the hills.

England - North England - Durham - Weardale

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, River, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife

8/28/2016 - ruth day

The walk directions were good, this is just the walk for those whose preferred footwear is knee high waterproof boots or waders you will need them as you paddle and sink into the peat from point 4 to point 15, we did the walk on a rain less Sunday in August 2016, the only life up on the moors, apart from us were Red Grouse and rabbits. At point 17 were parked two tracked vehicles for the use of shooters which tells you what regular users of the moor found was the only way to get around.