Saturday stroll on the Waskerley Way

28 November 2024

Blog by Jason Hall, volunteer with the Land of Lead and Silver project

A bright and breezy morning greeted us at Hawksburn Head for our Saturday stroll on the Waskerley Way. Thankfully, the wind eased as we dropped down towards Waskerley Reservoir and Rebecca, our guide from the North Pennines National Landscape team, no longer had to shout information directly into my ear. We then enjoyed a fine autumnal day with stunning blue and white skies which rather drew my eye and camera lens.

The reservoir, constructed in 1877, is the largest of three located on Muggleswick common and is home to rainbow and brown trout. We didn’t encounter any anglers but did see several interesting patches of fungi near the shoreline. It was here too that we first spotted a red kite cruising over the surrounding moorland before losing sight of it as we made our way to join up with the Waskerley Way.

The track took us through grouse moorland where a pair of red grouse put in an appearance before scuttling off into the heather. In the distance Parkhead Station stands out on the ridgeline and marks the route of the Stanhope & Tyne Railway which operated in various guises between 1834, when it opened to haul limestone and coal to South Shields, and 1969, when it closed for the last time. The station building itself operated, until recently, as a tearoom and guesthouse providing views over the moor and down into Weardale.

The Waskerley Way, which forms part of the coast-to-coast cycleway, took us back towards the car park at Hawksburn Head along the route of the railway line. Small stone markers along one side hark back to the Stockton & Darlington Railway. A snow break, consisting of upright sleepers and a large open stone wall, guards the other side. In the distance an enigmatic structure of stone and brick stands on Skaylock Hill highlighted against the skyline. Not a chimney, but what is it?

It was on this final leg that the red kite put in another appearance. This time with friends, or perhaps not, as there seemed to be a bit of squabbling going on as we returned to the cars. A quite spectacular sight as three birds circled and swooped overhead.

A perfect end a very pleasant walk.

The Land of Lead and Silver project is led by the North Pennines National Landscape team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.