Harwood - Viewing Hill - Cow Green Reservoir - Harwood

Alan Anderson

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Harwood (Upper Teesdale) - Viewing Hill - Cow Green Reservoir - Harwood

This Upper Teesdale circular walk starts from the hamlet of Harwood in the valley of the same name. The route tracks the Harwood Beck north-west up the valley to near its source alongside the B6277 Middleton-in-Teesdale to Alston road, before changing direction and heading south to climb up Herdship Fell in search of the small Viewing Hill cairn on the summit plateau of the fell. The summit comprises large areas of peat hags as well as substantial areas of firmer, stony ground. The route crosses to the far side of the plateau in sight of Cow Green Reservoir before the summit cairn of Viewing Hill is intersected. From here the panoramic vista ahead reveals most of the highest peaks in the North Pennines, including Cross Fell, the Dunn Fells, Knock Fell, Meldon Hill and Mickle Fell.

The route then heads south-east down the side of the fell to intersect an old leadminers' track that runs parallel to the north shore of the reservoir and delivers you to the reservoir car park. From here the route follows the surfaced access road for a short distance before heading north over the south-eastern flanks of the fell. The final section is all downhill across grassy moorland and rough meadows for a picturesque recrossing of the Harwood Beck over a sturdy footbridge to return to Harwood. Compass skills are required on this walk.

England - North England - Durham - Teesdale