Low Force, High Force & Bleabeck Force

Date:                    Sunday, 16th October 2011
Start/Finish:          Bowlees Visitor Centre Car Park
Distance:              8 miles
Time Taken:          4 hours
Companion(s):      Dittzzy (Tracey)

Route Map:

Well, having had such a glorious day yesterday, Tracey and I couldn't bear the thought of wasting another good weather day by spending it indoors so.....we just had to come up with another walk plan.  Knowing how much we both like waterfalls, I suggested that we visit High Force and, with the suggestion accepted, I quickly put together a route for us to follow.

So, as agreed, Tracey and I met at the Bowlees Visitor Centre Car Park and Picnic Area at about 10.30am and we were soon on our way.

We headed from the car park to Wynch Bridge and Low Force....

From here we joined the Pennine Way path following the River Tees....

....to reach High Force...

...and then continuing on the Pennine Way path, still following the River Tees...

....to Bleabeck Force....

Still following the Pennine Way path, we pass the stone quarry.....

...and continue towards Bracken Rigg....

....looking back the way we had come....

....and to our right....

By this time, the batteries had died in my camera and I had to change them, only to find that the spare set were dying too!  So, from this point on, I couldn't take as many photos as I would have liked.  However, our walk continued and, once we had crossed Bracken Rigg, we turned off the Pennine Way path and headed down to cross Fell Dyke Sike and then took a left turn to climb up to Whiteholm Bank.  Walking poles came in very handy on this part of the walk as they were useful in helping to get us over numerous mud and water hazards :-)

Eventually. having successfully negotiated our way across Blea Beck and the bogs (this section took us a long time!), we joined the track eading for Low Currick Rigg...

....and down past Holwick Scars....

We were then on the last leg of our route and returning to Wynch Bridge via field paths so, as we headed back to our cars, we decided it was too early to end our day out and agreed that a trip into Middleton-in-Teesdale and a visit to a cafe was in order :-)

The refreshments finished our day off nicely.  Another excellent day out in good weather and great company in a wonderful walking area!

Thanks again Tracey for a brilliant weekend :-) xx