Shaftoe Crags Walk
Bolam, Northumberland
A short wander around the spectacular Shaftoe Crags finding a Jubilee Stone, a standing stone and bagging a trig point.
Distance - 8km (5 miles)
Ascent - 190m
Duration - Approx 2 hours
Terrain - Generally grassy tracks. Can get a bit muddy in the winter.
Parking - There is a parking area just before the crags. Or park at Bolam Lake and walk in. View Parking Map
View Route On OS MapShaftoe Crags is a fantastic area for a gentle wander in all seasons, with plenty to see if you know where to look. Join me for a little guided tour of the area and I'll point you in the right direction.
My plan was to head straight up to the Jubilee Stone, then through Salter's Nick to find another standing stone. Then over to the main crags and bag a trig point.
Most people follow the wall from the parking straight through to Salter's Nick, but doing this will miss out on a chunk of crags. So at the first gate on the wall I head through and make for the area known as Hallion's Rock.
I was wondering if I could fit through that hole!
The answer was no! Then it was just a short scramble up this little bank to find the Jubilee Stone.
And there it is!
If you've followed us from the start, you may know that finding the Jubilee Stone is what set the whole Fabulous North off. The stone is in honour of Queen Victoria's Jubilee on 21 June 1887 and was placed there by a Colonel R. Atkinson.
From here I head down the side of Salters Nick and onto find the Middleton Standing Stone.
The permissive path for this one is a little cheeky to find. You have to head into the gorse and look for steps built into the wall.
From here it's just a straight line over to the standing stone.
I then retrace my steps and head back to Salters Nick which is a little gorge in the rocks which was used by smugglers taking salt to Scotland or smugglers bringing whiskey back to England.
From here I head south to the main crags. Lots of huge rocks jutting out of the heather.
Including this one oddly shaped like a face!
Then I spy the Shaftoe Crags Trig Point on a little rise, so obviously walk up to bag it.
Then back down and over to a huge chunk of rock with the Devil's Punchbowl on top sitting next to the Piper's Chair.
There was a rumour that William Blackett, of Wallington Hall, filled a punchbowl with wine at his wedding feast.
And I believe this is the Piper's Chair where you can park yourself for 5 and admire the views.
Then from here we had a bit of an explore of the nearby rocks.
Then just straight over this little dip before we find the wall which leads us back to the car.
Where to Park For Shaftoe Crags
Where To Park For Shaftoe Crags?
What three words
There is a parking area just before the crags. Or park at Bolam Lake and walk in.
Fabulous Places On This Walk
Discover what fabulous places you will find on this walk - Shaftoe Crags.
Jubilee Stone On Shaftoe Crags
Standing Stone Bolam NorthumberlandA tall stone marking Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
Shaftoe Crags Trig Point
Trig Point Bolam NorthumberlandThe trig point sitting on top of Shaftoe Crags (213m).
Shaftoe Crags
Crag, Rock And Cairn Bolam NorthumberlandStunning crags and landscape with standing stones and a Devil's Punchbowl.
Contributed by Simon Hawkins
Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.
More Walks from SimonMore Places In Bolam
Find more fabulous places in Bolam, Northumberland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
St Andrew's Church Bolam
Religious Place Bolam NorthumberlandA beautiful Saxon church nestling in the rolling countryside that was once bombed by the Germans.
Shaftoe Crags Trig Point
Trig Point Bolam NorthumberlandThe trig point sitting on top of Shaftoe Crags (213m).
Robert Loraine Monument
Standing Stone Bolam NorthumberlandA monument to Robert Loraine, who was brutally murdered by Border Reivers in Kirkhale.
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