Walk - Kielder Castle Visitor Centre to Bakethin Weir

Park at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre. From the castle, follow the path which passes the Minotaur Maze and Angler’s Arms pub, cross the road and follow signs to the Lakeside Way south shore. Bakethin wildlife dipping pond features a variety of interesting water creatures. Further along the path, visitors can catch glimpses of Kielder Viaduct to the left through the trees before reaching Bakethin bird hide (accessed by a short detour) which overlooks Bakethin Nature Reserve. Continue down the valley until the track comes to a tarmac cossroad. Turn left towards the lake to visit Bakethin Weir and the Kielder Column artwork. Here there are fine views cross Bakethin Nature Reserve to the north and west, to the hamlet of Gowanburn on the north shore and across the main body of Kielder Water to the south and east. Look for the former Border Counties railway on the north shore of Bakethin. Most of the railway track bed in this area now lies under water. On the north west skyline is the communications tower which sits on the summit of Deadwater Fell (the highest point in the area), the source of the River North Tyne and part of the exhilarating Deadwater mountain bike trail network. To return, retrace steps. For a longer route, a further half-mile down the valley along the Lakeside Way is the Mirage artwork followed by the picturesque and tranquil Lewisburn inlet.