Calroust, the Castles and The Street

About This Route

Calroust, the Castles and The Street is a hill route taking in the Scottish – English border, a Roman road that took soldiers from York deep onto the Celtic lands and even further back the remains of Iron age forts and settlements.

Along with this are some stunning views and wide grassy hill tracks perfect for horse riding.

1. Follow the minor road up the valley beside the Bowmont Water for 1km.

2. Horse riders follow an alternative route to walkers,  following the track to the west of Calroust Burn leading to Calroust. The entrance to this track is marked by a monkey puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana. This track passes Calroust after 1.5km and Calroust Hopehead after another 2.5km. Bear right as this track degrades to a path. Pass through a couple of gates and head uphill to Belshaw’s
Knowe and onto The Street. On reaching the junction with The Street, follow the sign pointing right, downhill, to Hownam. Please see

3. Go through the gate onto the grassy and sometimes muddy Pennine Way and turn right. On a clear day this is an excellent
vantage point for views of the Borders and the Northumberland National Park. After1.3km you will come across a fingerpost
for “The Street” pointing you sharp right along a hard track. Follow this back downhill, with the Border fence on your left, until you pass into a gully.

4. Go through the Border fence by a field gate and continue on down the hill following the track for 2km passing through three field gates. Carry on down the track as it sweeps downhill and round to the left until you reach two gates below the saddle.

5. Pass through these gates, and continue following the track, uphill, as it swings to the right, with the fence line now on your right. You will shortly pass through another field gate on the track. As you proceed look out for the remains of an Iron Age fort on your left, situated to the weston Blackbrough Hill. Continue for 1.5km with the fence on your right which turns to a stone dyke just before reaching another field gate. Pass through this gate, taking you to the opposite side of the dyke, and follow the dyke over the rise, as the path gradually becomes less defined in the permanent improved pasture. This takes you to the Hownam to Belford track at a
field gate which is clearly signed with a fingerpost.

6. Turn right onto the track heading for Belford, cross the Hownam Burn, proceed uphill through a gate and past the ruins of “See Few” Cottage on your left. Follow this well defined track for 2.4km over the hill and down, through a number of gates,  to Belford on Bowmont Farm. Turn right at the junction with the tarmac road, back to where you started.