Pennine Way Day 15 - Bryness to Kirk Yetholm

Monday 10th July 2023

Pennine Way (North) Day 6 - Bryness to Kirk Yetholm.

The big one that we had been so looking forward too - or should I say dreading. In the event, for me, this was probably the best day on the entire Pennine Way. Hard, yes - very hard, but so rewarding. The first few hours in the morning sun, climbing into the Cheviot Hills was just so rewarding being surrounded by the beautiful green rounded hills and the stunning panoramic views on show, it really made you feel alive.

We actually walked 17 miles into the Cheviots before bumping into another walker, it was that remote. Towards the end we did meet more Pennine Way walkers, some we recognised from the day before who had been dropped off half way by Forest View or the Border hotel and others who we enjoyed chatting to and swapping stories of our Pennine Way experiences and other long distance walks.

After 26 hard miles and 5000ft of ascent, we strolled into Kirk Yetholm and celebrated with Dave & Sian with a beer or two sitting outside The Border Hotel. Time for a good night out and of course, our pressies !

Our Pennine Way was complete.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.

Distance: 25.7 miles

Duration: 11:00 hours

Ascent: 4803 ft

Difficulty: Very Tough

Accompanied By: Davy

Weather: Warm & Sunny

3D outline of route

Parking

6am as we depart Bryness.

Fresh legs in the morning and ready for the climb up Bryness Hill. A sense of nervous excitement for both of us as we appreciate the undertaking that is ahead of us - but no going back now !

It soon becomes all worthwhile.

Bit of hand to rock before the top is made.

Views over to Redesdale Forest and Catcleugh Resevoir.

Bryness Hill summit.

Slabs over Windy Crag

Ravens Knowe ahead.

Ravens Knowe summit cairn.

We can see the outline of the Roman Camp here at Chew Green.

The Cheviot Hills - clean and rounded, provide stunning views in all directions.

Refuge Hut at the foot of Lamb Hill - time for our first lunch break of the day.

Lamb Hill summit trig point (511m)

Crossing Beefstand Hill.

Looking down the sun kissed and lush green valley of Carlcroft Burn

Two paths - you take the high road and I'll take the low road - lets see who gets there first as we start the climb up Windy Gyle ?

A glance back to the south

The last bit of ascent to Windy Gyle - think this marks the half way point of today's leg.

Windy Gyle summit (620).

Eyeing up Kings Seat ahead. I think one of the reasons I am enjoying today so much is that it reminds me of the Lake District so much. Granted there aren't the jagged sharp edges and peaks of the lakes, and not as high as many of them, but there are areas of the lakes that have the same green rolling hill terrain such as this, and I've always enjoyed walking such fells.

The Cheviot - We chose not to do the 'optional' out and back. We were doing enough today already.

Auchope Cairn or is it ....

.... this one ? Yes I'd say so (Auchope Cairn)

Looking over to The Schil - our next target.

After a 15 minute chat with fellow Pennine Way walkers outside the refuge hut, we set about the climb to the top of The Schil.

Looking back over to The Cheviot.

The attractive Schil and it's rocky summit.

We chose the low route - had we done this stage in two parts rather than one, I'm sure we would have done the more enjoyable high level route. But we were tiring and it had been a long day, so we took the easier of the two options.