In the absence of Peter O’H, I agreed to lead the shorter walk (~7 mile) to Middleton in Teesdale.  On a dry, but cloudy day, with little wind, eight of us left the coaches at Bowlees visitor centre – unfortunately at the wrong entrance.  We walked up to the visitor centre and enjoyed coffee or tea and in some cases a  toasted sandwich.  I had planned a walk of just over 7 miles with the option for those that wanted it of an extra mile, to visit the Summerhill waterfall.  In the event, 3 members of the group decided to wait in the cafe/visitor centre while the rest of us headed down to the Bow Lee Beck, crossed the footbridge and proceeded N up the path towards the waterfall.   As anticipated from the recent rainfall, there was a good flow of water over the fall.  We stayed a few minutes watching the fall, had a group photo and then made our way back to the visitor centre, stopping to admire a robin sitting watching us on the route back. 

Joining up with the other three members of the group, we headed down to the main road and after crossing the road, took a path heading SW down to the River Tees and 1 by 1 crossed the footbridge as instructed on the notice.  Surely we are not that heavy!!  After the footbridge, we turned right and after a short distance  arrived at Low Force.  While Low Force is more like rapids rather than a waterfall, it was still impressive with a lot of water passing over.  On our way again after the required photos, we headed in a general NW direction along the Pennine Way which runs along the south bank of the Tees.  This was a good path with just an occasional rock which required some care.  With the sun occasionally breaking through the cloud, there were some excellent views of the river, particularly in areas with meadow flowers on the river bank.   After a while, we heard the roar of the river thundering over High Force.  We left the path for a path leading to the viewpoint and enjoyed a leisurely stop at the viewpoint enjoying the sight of England’s largest water volume waterfall.   As it was around lunchtime we carried on to the top of the falls, passed Heinrick’s group having their lunch and then found a spot a little further on where we could sit and enjoy our lunch.  By this time it was quite sunny and warm.

After lunch and a closer inspection of the top of the falls, we made our way back downstream to Low Force and then the bridge we had crossed earlier.   Continuing  SE down the Pennine Way, the path remained good although it was no longer a gravel path and we maintained a comfortable pace as we headed towards Middleton.  The river was much more placid at this point and appeared to be hardly flowing.  Walking on a grassy path with flowering meadows to our right it was becoming very attractive.  However, there was one downside – stiles.  By the end of the walk, I reckon we must have climbed about 20 of them.  The only other problem was a stream, Eel Beck I think, where there was no footbridge and we had to cross via three fairly large rocks.  As we are ageing, such experiences are not ideal.   Eventually the Cattle Market came into sight and nearby on the B6277 were the 2 coaches.

A very enjoyable walk with excellent scenery and a good group, most of whom I had not walked with before.