In celebration of Clare Balding's 100th edition of Ramblings, this series is devoted to exploring the iconic walks of the United Kingdom.
The Pennine Way
30 March 2007
This week Clare is in Upper Teesdale to walk a section of the Pennine Way between the two waterfalls
of Cauldron Snout and High Force.
In the course of a hundred programmes Clare had never had to postpone a walk because of bad weather. But Upper Teesdale changed that! The ferocious storm which greeted her first attempt was enough to put off even her experienced companions Rebecca Barrett and Chris Woodley-Stewart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty organisation. Both in their seasoned judgement felt that the walk would not only be unpleasant but unsafe and that on this occasion discretion was the better part of valour.
A second attempt could not have been in much more contrast. This time clear blue skies and a warm sun made for idyllic walking and it was as if the very hills were innocently protesting 鈥淲hat? Rain 鈥 here? Never!鈥.
Upper Teesdale is certainly an area of extremes, of enticing beauty and dramatic changes of mood.
Map: OS OL31 North Pennines Teesdale and Weardale Start: Cauldron Snout Start Grid Ref: NY 815285 End: High Force Distance: 6-7 miles Terrain: boulders, rough moorland, hills with some foot paths Suitable for: Keen, fit walkers.
The Route:
The car park is at Cow Green reservoir, and then it鈥檚 a mile walk to Cauldron Snout.
The Pennine Way is clearly marked and involves clambering over the rocks by Cauldron Snout.
The path then follows the river, before leading up to heather moorland and eventually approaches the top of High Force, England鈥檚 biggest waterfall.
In celebration of Clare Balding's 100th edition of Ramblings, this series is devoted to exploring the iconic walks of the United Kingdom.
