Harthope Valley via Housey Crags up Hedgehope Hill: route map, distance and time
714 m · Pennines
Hedgehope Hill is a neat, cone-shaped Cheviot summit in Northumberland, rising above the Harthope Valley and often climbed with Comb Fell and The Cheviot.
You cross the Harthope Burn and climb past Housey Crags and Long Crags, then follow the ridge to the summit trig point.
Harthope Valley via Housey Crags at a glance
| Distance | 4.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 486 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Langleeford, Harthope Valley (roadside parking) |
| Start grid reference | NT 946 218 |
| Summit grid reference | NT 943 197 |
Harthope Valley via Housey Crags map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Harthope Valley via Housey Crags takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 5m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 17:59. Start by 14:29 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 17:57. Start by 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Hedgehope Hill summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 33 mph, 96% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 17:59.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 30 mph gusting 38 mph, 67% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 17:57.
Best day of the next seven for Harthope Valley via Housey Crags: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 31% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Hedgehope Hill forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Hedgehope Hill?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Southern Uplands forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 96% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 33 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Hedgehope Hill
Hedgehope Hill is a neat, cone-shaped Cheviot summit in Northumberland, rising above the Harthope Valley and often climbed with Comb Fell and The Cheviot. More about Hedgehope Hill, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Comb Fell (653 m), 2.2 km south-west
Challenges that include Hedgehope Hill
More walks from Langleeford, Harthope Valley
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Langleeford via Scald Hill up The Cheviot
- Harthope Burn round up The Cheviot
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NT 946 218, the summit at NT 943 197), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Harthope Valley via Housey Crags: questions and answers
How far is Harthope Valley via Housey Crags?
Harthope Valley via Housey Crags is 4.3 km one way to the summit of Hedgehope Hill, with 486 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.6 km.
How long does Harthope Valley via Housey Crags take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Hedgehope Hill and 2h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Harthope Valley via Housey Crags?
Harthope Valley via Housey Crags starts from Langleeford, Harthope Valley (roadside parking). The grid reference is NT 946 218.
Is Harthope Valley via Housey Crags suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Harthope Valley via Housey Crags today?
By 14:29 at the latest. Sunset on Hedgehope Hill today is 17:59, Harthope Valley via Housey Crags takes about 2h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Harthope Valley via Housey Crags?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).