Hethas Hike

Visit not just one but two Iron Age hillforts in the space of 2 hours, with panoramic views of the secluded College Valley and the brooding Cheviot Hills to boot. There are several other outstanding Iron Age fortifications, standing stones and cup and ring marks to explore in the Hethpool area. The bustling market town of Wooler, around 8 miles away, offers an excellent range of traditional pubs and cafés in which to relax at the end of an exciting day.

START/PARKING

Hethpool car park.
OS Map Grid Reference NT894281

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

1. From the car park turn left and walk along the College Valley Road. Immediately after the plantation on your right, turn right up the waymarked path. The path follows a fence around the trees and up the hill. Take the left fork to climb Great Hetha.
2. Great Hetha is one of the most impressive of the College Valley hillforts. Many of the stones from the rampart still lie where they fell, so it is easy to imagine the size of these massive walls. From Great Hetha, there is a panoramic view of the College Valley and the high hills of the Cheviots.
3. Look for the way-marker to the west of the hillfort and follow the path down from Great Hetha to Little Hetha, crossing the wall at a ladder stile.
4. Little Hetha occupies the summit of a spur with very steep slopes on three sides. It has two ramparts of earth and stone, except on the north side where a further rampart has been added. Stone robbing and reoccupation of the site in medieval and later times has disturbed the interior, though the footprints of Iron Age roundhouses can still be seen.
5. Leave Little Hetha by the path you came in on. Cross the ladder stile again and continue straight ahead along the track back to the plantation and then back to the road. Turn left to Hethpool car park.