Blackburn Falls

A linear route (the distance given includes your return) going out to visit the waterfalls in the slopes to the west of the village.

The moorland section of this route is very exposed and sections are quite rough. Therefore we do not recommend it in poor weather conditions or after a period of heavy rain.

From the north end of Douglas Square, follow the road down to the Liddel Water and turn left along the riverside path, passing Whithaugh Pool and bridge. Curve left with the path past the Auction Mart. After about 1km/0.6 mile, the path curves left, up to a kissing gate. Reach the road and turn right for a few metres, then left (at the village sign) to cross the bridge over the former railway line. Turn left and follow the rough track up the hill. This track skirts the northern side of Pathhead Moss.

Go through a gate in the stone dyke and follow the telephone poles along the edge of the field to another gate. Go through this gate and up the next field to a third gate which brings you to the Blackburn Farm road. Turn right, walk down to the farm, go through the farm yard (taking care if there is any machinery moving about) and through a gate between the large barn and the farmhouse.

Walk down the track to the bridge over the Black Burn. Cross the bridge, and immediately turn left on a clear track close to the burn. At a fork, keep left, close to the burn (there are sheep pens to the right). Go through a gate and follow the grassy track across a field, with the burn chuckling along on your left. Go through another gate and ahead on the very clear vehicle track, climbing steadily.

Pass through two gateways onto the open hill. The character of the landscape has changed markedly from the fields you have just left behind. Ahead are long swells of rough moorland, cut through by burns. The ground rises steadily to the heights of Cooms Fell and Watch Hill at over 500 metres. These are unfrequented, pathless hills.

As the track bends right and continues climbing, an expansive view across Liddesdale opens up to the right. At a fork go left, down to the attractive little Hog Gill, which is crossed at a ford. ‘Hog’ here is not a reference to pigs but (also spelled hogg) is a term for a yearling sheep before it is sheared.
The track curves right to a large double stone sheep stell. Continue on the track. It is a rough track but much drier to walk on than the adjacent moorland. Eventually the track will descend and reach a gate with Long Gill visible ahead. At the gate turn left at the fingerpost and follow the fence line across the hillside.

In about 200 metres you will see the Blackburn Falls down on your right. It is difficult to approach them more closely and scrambling down the slope is only advised if you are totally confident of your footing - and of your ability to get back up again! The falls are attractive at any time but are naturally more impressive after heavy rain. Although the falls are at the confluence of Long Gill and Rough Gill, they are known locally as the Blackburn Falls.
Below you is the site of Annetshiel. To return to the village retrace your steps. Once you regain the stone stell the going is easy, and mainly downhill, with good views across Liddesdale and the Black Burn for company most of the way back to the village and the end of the route.