Just wondering if some experienced walkers can help me out with the planning for the Cheviots section.

I'm walking with two others who have already made plans for a pickup at Cocklawfoot.

I would prefer to stay near the Way - which means camping or B&B at Barrowburn Farm; I prefer the latter!

Most of the reports I have read on the Internet etc suggest that the route to Barrowburn farm is by a descent from Cross Dyke via ‘The Street’.

However, that would mean I would have to walk a reasonably long section over Windy Gayle the next morning by myself, in order to rejoin my colleagues at Border Gate

Looking at the Explorer Map it would appear that there is an alternative descent from the opposite side from Cocklaw going due south and passing Hazely Law on the west – to the west of Uswayford. This route then descends southwards through the wood at Middle Hill and meets up at Barrowburn from the north east.

The aerial photography on Google Maps clearly shows this route, but whether this is so clear from the ground, particularly in the evening and when the weather is bad is another thing.

Dooes anyone know if this is a viable route down and back up to the Way or would thet recommend the traditional route via the Street?

Thanks

Paul

It seems to me apart from dropping down 'The Street' to Barrowburn, you have two choices.
1. You continue with your colleagues to Border Gate and drop down to Barrowburn from there (Approx 3.5 miles) and walk back up to meet them the following morning.
2. From Border Gate continue along the Way for another 4.25 miles and spend the night in the Mountain Refuge Hut. The next morning your colleagues will have a greater distance to do to meet up with you, so you could slowly retrace the route until you met up.
If it was me I would opt for latter.
Dave.

Thanks for the input Dave.

Good point about the Refuge Hut. Though from what I have read the snag for that might be capacity. Not sure how many it takes - one? - and likely demand mid-September!

Paul

I am trying to work out a pick up point mid route or as close as possible, I have just bought a bigger car and am applying for a restricted PSV licence so that I can legally pick up and drop off guests. It would be worth your friends asking their landlady for the number of her PSV lic as they would be without a leg to stand on (possibly quite literally) if there was a crash and she didn`t have a public service licence and insurance.
I thought it would all be sorted by now but I have been unable to explore the MOD road since early December as it is knee deep in snow. As soon as I work out the details I will post it on this forum.

Re-Refuge Hut capacity, depends on whether you want to sleep on the bench area (narrow) or the floor (sleepmat required) Enough floor area for 4 I would think. I came through that way around September 8th. According to the visitors log only one person had stayed there overnight all week, however like all Bothies, you take your chance.
Dave.

Hello,
We stayed at Barrowburn last summer - and can thoroughly recommend it - Ian and his wife are lovely and her evening meal and breakfast could feed an army.
As the 15 miles from Byrness was about at our limit we too were concerned that the descent should not be too arduous. We left the way just before Russell's Cairn, continuing to follow the fence at the point at which the way crosses it and following a clear track uphill. This brings you to the ridge and a gate. On the other side of the gate after a short steep descent, a wide grassy track can be seen going all the way down to the Rowhope Burn valley. This joins a road at a footbridge (marked Trows) and from there it's an easy road walk to Barrowburn. The route you've identified looks more direct and avoids the road, but in the dark and or bad weather I imagine the road would be safer.
The next morning due to atrocious weather, we wimped out as my sister who was due to help us celebrate a PW completion done in stages, was able to pick us up. So we still have 1 day to do.
Had we stayed, Ian would have taken us as far as he could back up to the ridge, which I believe is close to Uswayford - thus allowing you to meet your friends (but missing a section of the Way) or you could walk back to Russell's Cairn.
I'm sure Ian at Barrowburn would also be happy to give advice.
Hope this helps,
Briony

Hi mate, I walked the PW mid September last year and found myself covering miles and miles before meeting others doing the same. Sometimes 2 or 3 days went by without seeing a PW'er. The books in the Cheviots hadn't been signed much when I went through so off my experience I would say no problems in sleeping overnight in one.......but it wasn't weekend.

I dont think the weekend will be the busy time in the refuge hut as it would be the day after `us` and our busy days are Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday. This we believe is because the average time taken is a little over 2 weeks and most folk start from Edale on the weekend,so get to Byrness about 15-18 days later.