A pretty yet fairly unremarkable out-and-back walk of around 1.5 hours, mostly along a quiet road, made entirely worthwhile by the beautiful 60-foot (18m) Linhope Spout Waterfall and its wide, inviting plunge pool. Come summer, you’ll likely be sharing it with wild swimmers launching themselves from the rocks beside it.
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Walk Stats:
- Location: North west of Ingram, near Wooler, Northumberland.
- Start/end location: Walk starts and ends at this specific parking location.
- Distance & duration: 3.4 miles/5.5km, 1 hr 30 mins
- Walk type: Point-to-point.
- Terrain: ~60% quiet tarmac road, ~40% loose gravel road or marked footpath through a field.
- Accessibility: The latter gravel roads, steep incline and rocks down to the waterfall would make this walk challenging for those with mobility impairments or young children.
Highlights: Why We Love It
- This walk is all about the waterfall – enjoy a wild swim, a picnic on the grassy bank beside Linhope Burn, or simply marvel at the beauty of this classic single drop.
- It’s somewhat short and sweet – a good balance of getting some decent exercise in from the heart-pumping incline so you feel like you really earned the view, without being too taxing for anyone who’s more pub-fit than hill-fit.
About the Linhope Spout Waterfall Walk
The Linhope Spout Waterfall Walk is located in the Ingram Valley within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, so it’s not only a wonderful setting during the day, it’s fabulous for stargazing and astrophotography at night.
It’s a straightforward and well signposted walk, starting at a small country layby, meandering straight along a quiet country lane, past small farm dwellings and sheep fields.
Shortly after crossing a picturesque stone bridge at a small hamlet, you hook a left following the signs to Linhope Spout, and then take an immediate right up a hill on a gravel road.
Once at the top of the hill, the footpath takes you through a field to the top of Linhope Spout. From there, a short scramble down alongside the crashing drop brings you to the plunge pool for the full spectacle.
The plunge pool offers a great opportunity for a wild dip, and is commonly known as one of the best wild swimming spots in Northumberland.
A grassy glade beside the river was sadly quite littered at my time of visiting, but if you can look beyond that, it offers a pretty setting for a picnic or a flask of tea.
Head back the way you came and be done in an hour and a half (or less).
Linhope Spout Waterfall Walk Photo Gallery
Things to Know:
- Important parking note: Limited parking is available beside the road before the cluster of houses (a small layby with space for around six cars – see a Google Map pin drop in stats above). Do not go beyond the houses and the private road signs.
- Popularity warning: Once a lesser known spot, Linhope Spout Waterfall is now firmly on the tourist radar and consequently you may find it very busy, particularly in summer. Visiting off-peak may reward you with the place pretty much to yourself, like what I experienced going mid-week in early Spring.
- Leave no trace: Unfortunately litter seems to be often left at Linhope Spout which ends up in the river. Take everything home with you – even litter that you think is biodegradable like fruit.
- Dogs: Allowed, but keep on leads due to sheep.
- Facilities: No public toilets, café or shop – nearest is Ingram or Powburn.
- OS Map: OL16 The Cheviot Hills.