Greenleighton Moor walk

North East

A rocky crag on the moorland — Look out for rare fossils in Greenleighton Quarry on this walk | © National Trust/Rebecca Hetherington

Enjoy this 8.5km circular walk across moorland, woodland and limestone grassland habitats. Follow the route through Greenleighton Farm; a traditional hill farm with hardy cattle and Blackface sheep whose grazing creates a varied landscape, ideal for many species of flora and fauna. Walk along the edge of the picturesque Fontburn Reservoir, owned and managed by Northumbrian Water, before returning across the moor to the SSSI designated Greenleighton quarry. In spring and summer this geologically significant limestone habitat features a beautiful array of wildflowers.

Near to

Wallington

Start point

Greenleighton Quarry car park, grid ref: NZ035915

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)

Duration2 hours to 3 hours

Dog friendly**

*Varied terrain with uneven ground which can become muddy in places. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs must be on leads due to livestock and ground nesting birds.

Address
Greenleighton Quarry car park, 6 miles (9.6km) north-east of Wallington, Northumberland
Directions via Google Maps
By road
Walk starts from the Greenleighton Quarry car park 6 miles (9.6km) north-east of Wallington. It is off the B6342 on a minor road signposted to Greenleighton and Dyke Head. Alternatively you can start from the car park at Fontburn Reservoir (5 miles (8km) south of Rothbury on the B6342).
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Greenleighton Quarry car park, grid ref: NZ035915
Stage 1
Follow the path up the hill, with the quarry on your right, passing through a gate continue straight ahead. At the top go through the gate and turn left, following the wall down the field until you reach the farmhouses. Follow the road to the right, passing through another gate and head straight across the next field following the fence line on the left-hand side. At the far end of the field go through the gate and follow the path along the wall edge before bearing right, aiming for a track between two woodland blocks. At the end of this forestry track pass over the stile in the left-hand corner and follow the waymarked posts over the moorland.
Quarry SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)
The limestone quarry is split into two sections: the newer section was quarried as recently as 1982 and in total yielded 2 million tonnes of limestone. The older section, which is nearer the farm and passed closely on the walk, was quarried as early as 1777 and used into the 1800s. This quarry is now classified as an SSSI as it exhibits a section of limestone rock containing rare fossils of marine shell faunas, formed 330 million years ago. You will pass through this SSSI at the end of the walk.
Stage 2
This northern edge of the Greenleighton walk takes you past a steep-sided valley known as Fallowlees Flush.
Stage 3
Once you reach the western edge of Fontburn Reservoir you will see a large mound of earth and stone, which is a 3,000 year-old Bronze Age burial site.
Stage 4
As the reservoir appears on your left look out for the cup and ring marked boulder on your right.
Stage 5
Carry on walking along the southern edge of the reservoir.
Fontburn Reservoir, owned and managed by Northumbrian Water
The walk passes along the southern edge of the Fontburn Reservoir, through mixed conifer woodland and ancient semi-natural woodland. Fontburn boasts an array of wildlife including visiting ospreys (May–September), great crested newts, adders and otters. The reservoir is also a popular trout fishery with permits available from the fishing lodge on site. There are toilets, car parks, picnic facilities and a circular walk around the reservoir.
Stage 6
Before coming to the end of the reservoir, turn right back down over grazed fields and across the moorland.
Stage 7
Go through a gate onto a grazed field and look out for a small gate on your left to enter the top of Greenleighton quarry. Walk through the quarry and follow the path and waymarkers back to the car park.
End point
Greenleighton Quarry car park, grid ref: NZ035915
Trail map
Greenleighton Moor Walk at Wallington - trail map | © ONS
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