Middleton-in-Teesdale to Cow Green Reservoir - Thursday 2 October 2025
Route
Middleton-in-Teesdale - Middleton Bridge - River Tees - Bowlees Visitor Centre - Wynch Bridge - Low Force - Keedholm Scar - High Force - Bleabeck Force - Bracken Rigg - Cronkley Farm - Saur Hill Bridge - Sayer Farm - Widdy Bank Farm - Falcon Clints - Cauldron Snout - Cow Green Reservoir - Weelhead Sike
Parking
To complete this walk it would be necessary to either use two cars or be dropped off and picked up at either end. Parking is available in Middleton-in-Teesdale and also at Weelhead Sike (Cow Green Reservoir). The Grid Reference for Weelhead Sike is NY 81052 30992 and the nearest postcode is DL12 0HX.
Mileage
14.4 miles
Terrain
The route is part of The Pennine Way therefore the paths are well established.
Weather
Overcast for the most part with light breezes
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
2227ft (679m)
Map
OL31 - North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale)
Walkers
Dave
Middleton-in-Teesdale - Middleton Bridge - River Tees - Bowlees Visitor Centre - Wynch Bridge - Low Force - Keedholm Scar - High Force - Bleabeck Force - Bracken Rigg - Cronkley Farm - Saur Hill Bridge - Sayer Farm - Widdy Bank Farm - Falcon Clints - Cauldron Snout - Cow Green Reservoir - Weelhead Sike
Parking
To complete this walk it would be necessary to either use two cars or be dropped off and picked up at either end. Parking is available in Middleton-in-Teesdale and also at Weelhead Sike (Cow Green Reservoir). The Grid Reference for Weelhead Sike is NY 81052 30992 and the nearest postcode is DL12 0HX.
Mileage
14.4 miles
Terrain
The route is part of The Pennine Way therefore the paths are well established.
Weather
Overcast for the most part with light breezes
Time Taken
6hrs
Total Ascent
2227ft (679m)
Map
OL31 - North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale)
Walkers
Dave
GPX Files
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
Route Map
Today's linear walk was a section of The Pennine Way we first walked in 2015. After dropping me off at The Teesdale Hotel in Middleton, Angie & Robbie would meet up with a friend of ours Jane. I would meet them for refreshments later on at Bowlees Visitor's Centre near Low Force.
Heading south out of Middleton, the route turns right onto the B6277 in the direction of Mickleton
The River Tees from Middleton Bridge
Heading along the B6277, the route passes the Middleton-in-Teesdale Auction Mart
Just after the Auction Mart a way mark on the right indicates the route of The Pennine Way
The route passes to the right of an old barn
High above the Tees, I handrail a field wall across lovely lush farmland
Not many of these about - a metal ladder stile which will far outlast the wooden version more commonly seen
Still high above the Tees, the path heads through another field wall, this time via a bar stile
The path drops down to the Tees to pass close to the river and across several fields
At Grid Reference NY 91037 27334 I left The Pennine Way path to drop down to a footbridge over the Tees. Ordinarly I would have remained on the southern bank of the river however I was heading for Bowlees Visitor Centre to meet up with Angie, Jane & Robbie.
The footbridge over the River Tees
The River Tees from the footbridge
Passing through Banks Farm
Exiting the access road from Banks Farm, the route reaches the B6277 - a gate on the opposite side of the road leads to Bowlees Visitor Centre
Bowlees Visitor Centre & Cafe - time for breakfast of a cup of tea and a Sausage Sarnie
The Visitor Centre is run by the North Pennines National Landscape team and is a gateway to both their organisation and the UNESCO Global Geopark. Here you can find information about things to see and do across the North Pennines, take part in their nature and landscape themed events, and explore the site. It is an ideal place to start exploring the surrounding countryside of Upper Teesdale.
The Visitor Centre is run by the North Pennines National Landscape team and is a gateway to both their organisation and the UNESCO Global Geopark. Here you can find information about things to see and do across the North Pennines, take part in their nature and landscape themed events, and explore the site. It is an ideal place to start exploring the surrounding countryside of Upper Teesdale.
Suitably refreshed I crossed the B6277 once more and headed to Low Force
Low Force on the River Tees
At 18 feet high, Low Force tumbles over the Whin Sill, a layer of hard dolerite rock (known locally as whinstone). The Whin Sill was formed 295 million years ago from molten rock, which cooled and solidified underground. Sections of the film 1917 were shot near the site in June 2019. The production staff had to install signs warning walkers in the area not to be alarmed at the prosthetic bodies strewn around the site.
At 18 feet high, Low Force tumbles over the Whin Sill, a layer of hard dolerite rock (known locally as whinstone). The Whin Sill was formed 295 million years ago from molten rock, which cooled and solidified underground. Sections of the film 1917 were shot near the site in June 2019. The production staff had to install signs warning walkers in the area not to be alarmed at the prosthetic bodies strewn around the site.
Low Force (Click Play to view)
The Wynch Bridge over the River Tees
The suspension footbridge owes its existence originally to the Holwick lead miners who used it to get to the lead mine at Little Eggleshope in the fells to the north. It spans a ravine overshadowed by trees and the original bridge was suspended on hand-forged wrought iron chains, and reportedly had only a single handrail on one side as support. Built in the mid-18th century it collapsed in 1802 when a chain broke and a man was drowned. The current bridge replaced it in 1830, financed by the Duke of Cleveland with its maintenance paid for by the miners' subscriptions. It has 2 spans and the chains are suspended over cast iron columns and the footway is of timber. The bridge was strengthened in 1992 and is Grade 2 listed. The "Attention" sign seen here which is sited on both sides of the crossing warns that only one person at a time should use the bridge as it may become unstable.
The suspension footbridge owes its existence originally to the Holwick lead miners who used it to get to the lead mine at Little Eggleshope in the fells to the north. It spans a ravine overshadowed by trees and the original bridge was suspended on hand-forged wrought iron chains, and reportedly had only a single handrail on one side as support. Built in the mid-18th century it collapsed in 1802 when a chain broke and a man was drowned. The current bridge replaced it in 1830, financed by the Duke of Cleveland with its maintenance paid for by the miners' subscriptions. It has 2 spans and the chains are suspended over cast iron columns and the footway is of timber. The bridge was strengthened in 1992 and is Grade 2 listed. The "Attention" sign seen here which is sited on both sides of the crossing warns that only one person at a time should use the bridge as it may become unstable.
The centre of the Wynch Bridge - thankfully nobody else crossed whilst I was on it
Keith Alexander's "Sheep" sculpture which he crafted on site in 2002
The upper section of Low Force
The upper section of Low Force (Click Play to view)
The route approaches a footbridge over the River Tees
The entrance to the footbridge over the River Tees - crossing the bridge gives access to a path that leads to the High Force Hotel
As I neared High Force, I entered the Moor House Nature Reserve
At 88 square kilometres of upland country, Moor House is one of England's largest Nature Reserves. The Reserve encompasses an almost complete range of upland habitats typical of the North Pennines from low lying hay meadows, rough grazing and juniper wood to limestone grassland, blanket bogs and summit heaths of the high fells.
At 88 square kilometres of upland country, Moor House is one of England's largest Nature Reserves. The Reserve encompasses an almost complete range of upland habitats typical of the North Pennines from low lying hay meadows, rough grazing and juniper wood to limestone grassland, blanket bogs and summit heaths of the high fells.
High Force
The waterfall is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the European Geopark. The whole of the River Tees plunges 70 feet (21 m) over a precipice (an almost vertical cliff edge) in two stages. After heavy rainfall the river will also flow over the usually dry right-hand side channel, creating two falls. Very occasionally the river level will be high enough to flow over the central section of rock. The last recorded time this happened was in December 2015 after Storm Desmond. In harsh winters the falls have been known to freeze, creating cathedral-like ice formations. Below are a few videos of High Force from several vantage points in and around the waterfall - as always Click Play to view.
The waterfall is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the European Geopark. The whole of the River Tees plunges 70 feet (21 m) over a precipice (an almost vertical cliff edge) in two stages. After heavy rainfall the river will also flow over the usually dry right-hand side channel, creating two falls. Very occasionally the river level will be high enough to flow over the central section of rock. The last recorded time this happened was in December 2015 after Storm Desmond. In harsh winters the falls have been known to freeze, creating cathedral-like ice formations. Below are a few videos of High Force from several vantage points in and around the waterfall - as always Click Play to view.
Above High Force from the main view point
Leaving High Force I continued to follow the Tees along the southern bank
Force Garth Quarry
The quarry was opened in 1932 and is a key provider of building materials throughout Northern England. Dolerite rock is quarried from the site, which produces between 250,000 to 300,000 tonnes a year.
The quarry was opened in 1932 and is a key provider of building materials throughout Northern England. Dolerite rock is quarried from the site, which produces between 250,000 to 300,000 tonnes a year.
Several marker stones dotted around this particular section one of which posts the route of the Pennine Way...................
........ and here it is
At Grid Reference NY 86232 28701 the path splits - the Pennine Way continues through the gate on the right in the direction of Cronkley
Approaching Cronkley Farm - there used to be an Honesty Box on the access track but not anymore
Crossing Cronkley Bridge
Once over the bridge I continued along the opposite side of the Tees towards Saur Hill Bridge
Having left the Tees behind, I crossed over Harwood Beck via Saur Hill Bridge. It is at this point that the Pennine Way & Pennine Journey Routes split - The Pennine Way goes straight on whilst The Pennine Journey heads to the right.
Sayer Hill Farm - my route would turn left here and rejoin the Tees below Cronkley Scar
Heading down to rejoin the River Tees with Cronkley Scar beyond
Passing through a herd of very chilled out Belted Galloways
Rejoining the River Tees below Cronkley Scar - the building in the distance is Widdy Bank Farm
A River Tees and Cronkley Scar panorama
Approaching Widdy Bank Farm - the farm is the base for Moor House Nature Reserve
Continuing along the Tees via a short bouldery section at Holmwath
The start of the notorious boulder section below Falcon Clints - much is made of this section however it is easy enough providing you take your time
Looking back along the boulders below Falcon Clints
Just past the boulder field is a large cairn - the going is much easier now as the Tees turns towards Cauldron Snout
Cauldron Snout
Cauldron Snout is more of a long cataract than a waterfall and is caused by the upper Tees passing over the dolerite steps of the Whin Sill. It is an impressive sight from both below and above and despite being almost 2 miles from the nearest Car Park, attracts many visitors. The water flows out of Cow Green Reservoir which is situated at the top of the Snout.
Cauldron Snout is more of a long cataract than a waterfall and is caused by the upper Tees passing over the dolerite steps of the Whin Sill. It is an impressive sight from both below and above and despite being almost 2 miles from the nearest Car Park, attracts many visitors. The water flows out of Cow Green Reservoir which is situated at the top of the Snout.
Cauldron Snout & the River Tees (Click Play to view)
Cauldron Snout in slow mo (Click Play to view)
To reach Cow Green Reservoir (the Dam Wall of which can be seen above) requires a short scramble over rock. The scramble is not particularly difficult or technical however it is steep and in wet conditions care needs to be taken.
The upper and lower sections of Cauldron Snout (Click Play to view)
The top of Cauldron Snout with the Dam Wall of Cow Green Reservoir beyond
The top of Cauldron Snout (Click Play to view)
The bridge over the River Tees above Cauldron Snout. The bridge marks the end of my time on The Pennine Way as I would be heading straight on here. The Pennine Way heads to the left on its way to Dufton via High Cup Nick.
The Dam Wall of Cow Green Reservoir
Cow Green Reservoir
Cow Green Reservoir is a 2 mile (3 km) long water reservoir forming part of the border between the historic counties of Westmorland and County Durham. It was built by Mitchell Construction between 1967 and 1971 to supply the industries of Teesside. The reservoir acts as a river regulation reservoir releasing water into the River Tees during dry conditions so that it can be abstracted further downstream. These regulated flows allow six further reservoir levels to be maintained and these in turn provide water for industry and domestic use.
Cow Green Reservoir is also the largest reserve of wild brown trout in the North East. Fishing is permitted at the rate of twelve fish per day per person.
Cow Green Reservoir is a 2 mile (3 km) long water reservoir forming part of the border between the historic counties of Westmorland and County Durham. It was built by Mitchell Construction between 1967 and 1971 to supply the industries of Teesside. The reservoir acts as a river regulation reservoir releasing water into the River Tees during dry conditions so that it can be abstracted further downstream. These regulated flows allow six further reservoir levels to be maintained and these in turn provide water for industry and domestic use.
Cow Green Reservoir is also the largest reserve of wild brown trout in the North East. Fishing is permitted at the rate of twelve fish per day per person.
The long, long schlep along the reservoir access track which would deliver me to the Car Park where I hoped Angie & Robbie would be waiting.
The Car Park at Weelhead Sike which was journey's end today