Published at 13:12, Thursday, 22 January 2009

STARTING at the car park, follow the main footpath into the woodland. Brown waymark arrows lead you on the route.

Ordnance Survey mapping@Crown copyright. AM03/09

1. Take the lower, left-hand fork in the path. The River Allen comes into view.

2. The path drops close to the waterside and the woodland opens out. The river is rocky and fast flowing here, a prime spot for birds like dipper and grey wagtail. Heron and goosander can also be seen stalking prey throughout the year.

3. At a bend of the river walk under Raven Crag. The river becomes deeper and slows to creating a flat pool where, on summer evenings, Daubenton’s bats skim just above the water surface feeding on insects.

4. Decaying fallen trees on the banks above you here are part of the life cycle of the woodland. Insects and fungi feed on and break down the rotting timber, returning vital nutrients to the soil. Woodpeckers and other birds then feed on the insects and create nests in the standing deadwood.

5. After crossing the Kingswood Burn, turn left and cross the Plankey Mill Bridge over the River Allen. Walk right towards the farm buildings and join the public road which travels left for about 100m. Take the track to the left of this road which heads down to a kissing gate near the river and old ruins.

6. Walk through meadows along the river bank. Alder trees line the river which have lichen covered stems and branches. Lichens require clean air so are good indicators of pollution-free areas. During the summer keep a look out for wildflowers such as field pansies, orchid and yellow rattle near the river and in the hay fields here. They make it a great habitat for a wide range of butterflies.

7. Enter the woodland opposite Raven Crag and soon take to a higher level path.

8. You return to the riverside and cross the water again at a suspension bridge. Turn right when you reach the far bank and walk back to the car park.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk