8.5 miles
Explorer Map OL31, - North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale)
A circular walk round Widdybank Fell, taking in Cow Green Reservoir
and Cauldron Snout in the upper reaches of the River Tees.
Much of the route is straightforward, and involves roads and farm
tracks.
However, there is some boulder scrambling alongside the River
Tees West of Widdybank Farm, and the ascent of Cauldron Snout
Falls can be treacherous, - involving further scrambling and climbing
over rocks. This section of the walk should only be attempted
by people who are physically fit and able-bodied.
As with all High Pennine walks, the weather can be unpredictable
(and considerably colder than at lower levels) and this must be
allowed for.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Start from the Whhelhead Sike car park at Cow Green,
NY81086 30911 (1690 ft elevation).
Follow the minor road East towards Langdon Beck. Before
Just before the road bridge crosses the beck at Intake Farm, NY8497530875,
take the footpath alongside the beck heading downstream.
Continue along the footpath to join the Pennine Way by Saur Hill Bridge
(NY8545130220). Here head Westwards towards Sayer Hill Farm and follow
the signposted Pennine Way to Widdybank Farm.
From Widdybank farm, continue Westwards alongside the River Tees for
the next couple of miles, to reach Cauldron Snout waterfalls.
Ascend the falls by the indistinct pathway, and return to the car
park by the clearly marked footpath.