Winter Walking at Wallington

When things feel safe enough for you, you may want to venture further out in your car to more remote areas to enjoy longer walks and a much-needed change of scenery. Though many usual walking routes on the National Trust may be temporarily closed due to the Lockdown, we’ve got one of our favourite countryside trails here for you to enjoy. Take notes on your phone or notebook or print this page out for instructions on the Greenleighton Moor Walk.

This walk should take around 2-3 hours to complete so remember to wrap up and bring plenty of water or even a flask. 

Please note that this walk is labelled as a moderate walk on the National Trust’s website so do not attempt it if you do not feel confident walking.  

1. Begin at the Greenleighton Quarry car park, following the path uphill with the quarry on your right side. The quarry you pass was last mined in the early 80s and is now recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It contains a rare fossil of marine shell faunas from over 330 million years ago.

2. When you reach the top of the hill, go over the stile and bear left. 

          The route will take you through a woodland area and across the moorland. 

3. You will walk beyond a steep-sided valley that is known as the Fallowlees Flush which is famed for its lime-rich flushes that span down the hill. Some species to keep an eye out for include the broad-leaved cotton grass and early purple orchids. 

4. Once you’ve reached the western edge of Fontburn Reservoir you’ll see a large mound of earth and stone. This is a 3000-year-old Bronze Age burial site, and the large slab of stone is potentially the original cover to the burial chamber. 

5. When the reservoir appears on your left-hand side, you’ll come across a large boulder. Look closely at the boulder, you may see cup and ring-shaped markings. It is thought that these motifs used in the Bronze Age were symbolic to the people who were buried beneath them.

6. Continue walking south of the reservoir through the woodland. The woodland is home to a variety of wildlife including ospreys (May-September), newts, adders, otters and a vast trout population. 

There are toilet facilities, carparks and picnic benches at this point in the walk.

7. Before you reach the end of the reservoir, turn back towards the fields and head across the moorlands to return to your starting point.