Wark, Countesswood, Redesmouth, and the former Border Counties Railway

A walk starting at Wark. This hike crosses the North Tyne and climbs as it winds its way upstream with views of Wark and the river and then descends to the beautiful Countesspark Wood onto the former Border Counties Railway line. Following the line for a while, the route then passes under the bridge and along the Tyne past a log cabin and back onto the railway just as it reaches the former Redesmouth Station. From Redesmouth the walk climbs for while. The path is steep in parts, but it's all worthwhile when you turn around and see the views of the North Tyne valley and Bellingham. After climbing, the path flattens out over fields and then joins a narrow lane. The lane meanders down through Birtley and then onto a track through a field past the ruins of Birtley Castle (if you can spot them). It's then back onto the lane and over the railway and back into Wark for refreshment at the Grey Bull.