Hareshaw Linn Waterfall Walk: Six Bridges Through an Ancient Northumberland Gorge

The Hareshaw Linn Walk feels like a journey into another world: six little bridges, an ancient wooded gorge, traces of forgotten industry and a spectacular waterfall waiting at the very end.

Starting just outside Bellingham, this three-mile woodland route follows Hareshaw Burn deep into one of Northumberland National Park’s most atmospheric corners. The deeper you walk, the cooler and greener it becomes, until the path feels more like a temperate rainforest than northern England.

Hareshaw Linn Walk at a glance

• Location: Bellingham, Northumberland
• Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
• Time: Allow around 2 hours
• Ascent: Approximately 348 ft (106 m)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Route: Out and back
• Terrain: Woodland paths, steps, short climbs and uneven sections
• Start: Hareshaw Linn National Park Car Park, Bellingham
• Grid reference: NY 840 834
• Recommended map: OS Explorer OL42
• Dog friendly: Yes, but keep dogs on leads
• Accessible: No

Places to Stay Near

Why this waterfall walk is so special

Hareshaw Linn isn’t simply a walk to a waterfall. The path passes the remains of an ironworks, old quarry spoil, a dam, blocked mine entrances and places once used by Victorian visitors for picnics, music and storytelling.

Then the industrial history disappears behind you and the gorge takes over. Oak, hazel, elm and ash crowd the slopes, wooden bridges zigzag over the burn and the sound of falling water becomes steadily louder.

The gorge is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its cool, damp conditions support more than 300 types of mosses, liverworts and lichens. Keep watch for red squirrels, dippers, great spotted woodpeckers and other woodland wildlife—but appreciate everything without leaving the main path.

The route, step by step

1. Begin at Hareshaw Linn car park

Leave the National Park car park and follow the signed path beside Hareshaw Burn. This peaceful beginning hides a much noisier past: an ironworks operated here during the 1800s. Foundry Farm, on your right, once accommodated offices used by the foundry managers.

The uneven mounds around the path aren’t natural. They were formed from material left by the coke ovens that supplied the ironworks.

2. Pass the old dam and picnic area

Continue through the gate, looking for the remains of the old dam on your left. The path soon reaches a picnic area overlooking a smaller waterfall. The hummocky ground nearby is quarry spoil; stone extracted here was used to build homes for local miners.

3. Climb into the ancient woodland

Climb the steps and look carefully to your right for a blocked mine entrance. Beyond this point you enter the Linn proper, where the path winds through old woodland filled with oak, hazel, elm and ash.

4. Cross the first two bridges

Continue uphill past the curved stone seat and cross the first bridge. Cupid’s Bower seat offers a lovely place to pause beside the water. After the second bridge, old mine-shaft entrances can be seen on the left.

5. Follow all six bridges through the gorge

Cross the third and fourth bridges beneath tall Douglas firs planted by the Victorians, then continue across bridges five and six. Near the sixth bridge, Victorian visitors once gathered around a bandstand for picnics, music and storytelling. It must have been quite a place on a summer afternoon.

Recommended Walking Gear

• 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
• 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
• 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
• 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
• 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
• 🥾 Walking Poles

6. Reach Hareshaw Linn waterfall

The final stretch leads to Hareshaw Linn itself, where the burn plunges roughly nine metres into a rocky pool. The enclosed gorge, dripping rock and layers of vivid green growth give the waterfall a wonderfully wild atmosphere.

Pause and enjoy it, but don’t climb around the rocks or leave the main footpath. When you’re ready, return to Bellingham along exactly the same route.

Parking and getting to the start

The walk begins at Hareshaw Linn National Park Car Park in Bellingham. The National Park lists 26 spaces, including four EV charging spaces and two disabled bays. Bellingham is around 17 miles north of Hexham; follow the local signs for Hareshaw Linn rather than relying solely on the postcode.

Terrain, dogs and family suitability

The path is well defined but includes steps, climbs, exposed roots and uneven ground. Mud and wet stone can make it slippery after rain, so proper walking shoes or boots are a sensible choice.

Dogs are welcome but should remain on leads to protect wildlife and keep them safe near the burn, bridges and waterfall. The walk can suit active families and older children who are comfortable on uneven paths, but it isn’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

What to know before you go

• Stay on the main footpath and keep away from unstable or slippery edges.
• Wear sturdy footwear, particularly following rain.
• Allow longer than two hours if you enjoy wildlife photography or frequent stops.
• Carry water and a waterproof layer; the sheltered gorge can remain cool and damp.
• Check current National Park notices and weather conditions before travelling.
• Take litter home and leave the woodland exactly as you found it.

Food and more to see in Bellingham

Bellingham makes an excellent finish to the walk, with cafés and traditional pubs for something warm afterwards. You can also visit Bellingham Heritage Centre to discover more about the area’s industrial and railway history, or use the village as a base for exploring Kielder Water, Hadrian’s Wall and the wider North Tyne valley.

Six bridges, forgotten mine workings, ancient woodland and one spectacular waterfall—Hareshaw Linn packs an extraordinary amount into just three miles.

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Hareshaw Linn Walk FAQs