Hen Hole

If you were looking for the most impressive landscape in Northumberland, then you have just found it. Feast your eyes on the sensational Hen Hole.

Sitting near The Cheviot, Northumberland's tallest peak, the College Burn runs down the gorge through a series of cascades and waterfalls which could easily be plucked from Lord Of The Rings.

The walk up the approaching valley is beautiful, but then as you turn the corner into the gorge you are just met with amazing rocks bursting out of the side of the valley standing guard over the burn trickling downstream.

We spotted our first mini waterfall, so headed down for a look.

The highlight of the Hen Hole gorge has to be the Three Sisters waterfall where the rock formation splits the flow into 3 falls which then tumble into a pool with a huge square shaped boulder precariously positioned.

Too hard to not take loads of photos!

Unbelievable Jeff!

You need to zigzag over the burn to find the best path.

These amazing ancient rock formations make you think you are on an adventure in middle earth rather than still being in your home county.

We're then met with a final waterfall before we leave the gorge to scramble up the slope.

One final look back over the gorge.

Now heading up the slope to the side of the gorge.

With a final look down towards the valley we make our way to the top.

We're greeted with the most amazing views of rolling green hills in every direction. On a clear day you can see the Lake District.

The hill we are on now is Auchope Cairn and is right on the border with Scotland.

With our backs to the view we spy our path up to the The Cheviot summit only a few miles away, but will save that for another post.

A huge thanks to the lovely people from the Northumbria Walking Group who let me tag along and made me feel very welcome.

Now the main question is how do you visit this wonder?

1. The easiest way is to buy a permit and park at Mounthooly Bunkhouse and then it's only a couple of kilometres to the bottom of the Hen Hole.

2. Alternatively park at Hethpool and then follow the burn to Mounthooly and then to the Hen Hole. This is approximately 8km to get to the gorge.

3. But if you are feeling super adventurous and want to see more of the Cheviots including heading up to the summit, then do as we did and park at Langleeford and take a big detour around the back of the Cheviot, before heading up it via the Hen Hole.

Just look at that lovely elevation!

Careful though as this is a 23km walk so bring lots of water and a spare pair of legs!