Alwinton and Harbottle Walk

Route Description for Alwinton and Harbottle Walk

For those who enjoy more than simply strolling through the countryside on their walks, the Alwinton and Harbottle Walk will provide you with several interesting highlights, including a large sandstone rock formation and an historic castle.

Setting out from the trailhead in Alwinton, you will pass through the village to the southeast, following along the road to cross over the River Coquet. Continuing on to the southeast, you will eventually arrive at the site of Harbottle Castle, where you can explore the ruins of a 12th Century fortification that was attacked through a series of fierce conflicts.

After visiting the castle, you will make your way back along the road for a short distance, before branching off to the southwest along the edge of West Wood. Here, you will climb uphill along the tree line to reach the Drake Stone, a massive 9 m sandstone rock. Here, you will pass by the charming shores of Harbottle Lake and enter into the woodland terrain, looping around the hillside to eventually arrive back at the edge of the road near the River Coquet. At this point, you will simply make your way back into the trailhead in Alwinton where you began.