Three Becks Walk loop in Hamsterley Forest — North Pennines

The Three Becks Walk loop in Hamsterley Forest offers a moderate hiking experience, covering 5.0 miles (8.0 km) with 624 feet (190 metres) of elevation gain. You can expect to complete this varied route in about 2 hours and 17 minutes. As you hike, you will wind through beautiful mixed woodlands of pines, larches, beech, and oak, following the vigorous, peat-stained Bedburn Beck. Keep an eye out for the unique Green Man sculpture along the forest drive, depicting the faces of this mythical forest dweller.

While generally accessible, some sections of the trail are narrow, rougher, and feature steeper ascents and descents, requiring good fitness and sure-footedness. The terrain includes gravel paths, natural surfaces, and stony forest paths with knotty conifer roots, which can become mucky depending on the weather. The route is well-waymarked with white arrows on an orange background, but some hikers recommend carrying a map from the visitor center due to occasional inconsistent signage. Autumn is a particularly stunning time to visit, as the beech and birch trees display golden and yellow hues.

This trail is considered the longest and most rewarding of the Bedburn Walks within Hamsterley Forest, a vast 2,000-hectare woodland. You will pass the ruins of Metcalf's House, an old coaching inn with stables, situated on a historic drover's road. The forest is rich in biodiversity, offering opportunities to spot wildlife such as roe deer, adders, and salmon, and observe wood ant nests. The route also crosses two roads with vehicular access, adding to its varied character.