26th May 2013 - Thack Moor & Black Fell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.1 miles
Total ascent: 1947 ft
OS map used: OL31 - North Pennines
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Renwick-lane to Outhwaite-Thack Moor-Watch Hill-Black Fell-Hartside Height-Hartside Pass-Selah Bridge-Raven Bridge-Renwick
Another fine day and todays walk is in the North Pennines. My only previous visit to the area was three years ago when I went up Cross Fell. There are a few other walks in this neck of the woods that I have plans to do so it shouldn't be another three years before I'm back here again.
After finding somewhere convenient to park in the village of Renwick my first task was to find the lane from the village that's signposted to Outhwaite. I then followed this until it turns sharp right and a track continues straight on. This track then takes you up the moor and onto access land. When it peters out the summit of Thack Moor isn't far to go. The next stretch was basically following the moorland crest from Thack Moor over Watch Hill and Black Fell to Hartside Height. A short descent then brings you to the noise and bustle of the Hartside Pass. My route back was to follow the bridleway down to Selah Bridge where it joins the lane back to Renwick.
Total ascent: 1947 ft
OS map used: OL31 - North Pennines
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Renwick-lane to Outhwaite-Thack Moor-Watch Hill-Black Fell-Hartside Height-Hartside Pass-Selah Bridge-Raven Bridge-Renwick
Another fine day and todays walk is in the North Pennines. My only previous visit to the area was three years ago when I went up Cross Fell. There are a few other walks in this neck of the woods that I have plans to do so it shouldn't be another three years before I'm back here again.
After finding somewhere convenient to park in the village of Renwick my first task was to find the lane from the village that's signposted to Outhwaite. I then followed this until it turns sharp right and a track continues straight on. This track then takes you up the moor and onto access land. When it peters out the summit of Thack Moor isn't far to go. The next stretch was basically following the moorland crest from Thack Moor over Watch Hill and Black Fell to Hartside Height. A short descent then brings you to the noise and bustle of the Hartside Pass. My route back was to follow the bridleway down to Selah Bridge where it joins the lane back to Renwick.
Route map
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A sunny start to the day in the village of Renwick
The Church of All Saints, Renwick
Expanding views across the Eden valley as height is gained on the track up Thack Moor
Onwards and upwards
The trig point that marks the summit of Thack Moor. The high point has very recently been resurveyed and amended to 609.62m, taking it above the 2000ft mark by an inch.
Despite the slight haze the Lake District fells can be made out on the other side of the Eden valley
Zooming in and the distinctive saddle of Blencathra can be seen on the left with Skiddaw to the right
An even hazier view of the eastern and far eastern fells
Leaning over the wall to have a look across to Croglin Fell
Fiend's Fell in the distance on the other side of the Hartside Pass with the faint outline of Cross Fell in the background
Heading for Watch Hill
Black Fell behind the substantial cairn on the summit of Watch Hill
A retrospective view of Thack Moor
On the summit of Black Fell, the high point of today's walk. That's Cross Fell in the distance, the highest summit in the Pennines and there are still a few patches of snow lingering on from the winter.
The fence line points the way back to Thack Moor
The big rolling hills of the Alston Moors..
A hazy view towards Lakeland
The neighbouring summit of Grey Nag
Next stop, Hartside Height. Just follow the wall.
Looking back to Black Fell from Hartside Height. That's Thack Moor in the background on the left.
Cross Fell and Melmerby Fell from Hartside Height
There's only a short walk downhill to reach the Hartside Pass where there were some tractors of varying vintages parked by the side of the road
The Hartside Top cafe. Very popular with bikers and the road is too.
An ornate milepost on the National Cycle Network just a short distance below the summit
The Hartside Bothy. It's in private hands and is locked up.
On the bridleway signposted for Selah Bridge and a long descent back to Renwick
Ricker Gill Bridge. Recently rebuilt.
Road walking back to Renwick. At least the sun has reappeared.
Raven Beck from Raven Bridge. The distinctive red sandstone that is a popular building material in the Eden valley can be seen on the right hand side of the bed of the beck.
Eden valley farmland
Back in Renwick