Logged Visits:

28th Mar 2024  14:00  by NJM

Gridref: NT 74733 01206   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

3rd visit to take GPS reading for our own records (got it exact), after revisiting the 3 Kings we more or less reversed the route described below and did the walk anti-clockwise going up the steep heathery fencepost line from the turning circle ENE of the pillar. All the trees N and E of the fencepost have gone since last visit, thus opening up some new views - the Dirringtons can now be clearly seen to the N. Having re-read my previous comments, I've duly amended my score to a 9...hopefully in another 4 years the rest of forest to the NW will have gone too and I'll award this fantastic TP a 10! ~~ 06/10/20 2nd visit, different route. Parked at second RH track junction along the Forest Drive from Blackhopeburnhaugh end and took minor diversion to visit the Three Kings (not a pub, much though it sounds like one). Then followed forest tracks W to top of Ellis Cleugh and up the firebreak SSW of Ellis Crag, and a direct route straight up the imposing wall of crags and outcrops ahead. Then a thrilling walk along the edge of the crags to the TP a little way to the NE. The views E, S & W are superb - a much brighter, clearer day than my first visit. If there were any views to be had N I'd not hesitate to score this TP 9 / 10; its one of the finest TPs in Northumberland.

Three Kings Standing Stones 06/10/20 No visit to Ellis Crag is complete without visiting these fine specimens...
Ellis Crag - Approach 06/10/20 View of the crags from top of firebreak, approaching from SSW.
View South East 06/10/20 Storm's TP #135
View South 28/03/24 Woody's first ever Trig Point
View East 29/03/24 Storm & Woody

25th Nov 2023  10:38  by S1534&Beyond

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

A fantastic 8 mile walk with the dogs and also visited the Three Kings Stone circle as a bonus. A freezing day but sunny.

The trig ©S1534&Beyond

10th Jun 2023  12:33  by CJO

Gridref: NT 74735 01202   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

All intact. Has had a recent coat of white paint, drips still on grass. It was tough going along fire breaks.

Pillar - new coat of paint

9th Jun 2023  14:30  by jonglew

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Drove Forest Drive from Kielder Castle to park 1.7km SE (line of sight) at a track junc (NY 7583 9987). Took track NE to Lad's Cleugh then a good logging road W for ~2.15km to NT 7435 0042, whence a wide, reasonable break running almost due N to base of the crag. Pillar sits near edge of the crag sporting a fresh coat of white paint. Original centre cap retained, deeply indented lettering; LHD side sight hole open, front plug degrading. Extensive views S and E. NB. Ignore the mapped break running parallel to Lad's Cleugh, it deteriorates to madness well before the 270m I progressed up it before admitting defeat!

Pillar TP3046©jonglew
Spider TP3046©jonglew
Flush Bracket TP3046©jonglew

6th Apr 2022  15:06  by slateloose

Gridref: NT 74700 01200   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

This one turned out to be a bit of a trek due to the large number of tree blown down in recent storms. Started from the chapel in Byrness walking out on the Pennine Way path, then had to walk a longer way round to avoid fallen trees. We walk the forest track all the way to the Forest edge east of the trig point to what looks like a turning circle on the map. The rest of the route west along the fence line and up the crags to the top in rough going again due to fallen trees and deep heather. Good Luck !

29th Nov 2020  13:27  by A1Mushroom

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

From Byrness Church. Parked just by the old petrol station on the main road to leave more parking spaces for others who might need them more than me. Followed the forest tracks and ROW's to the turning point at the end of the track to the east of the trig. Followed the fence line along and up to the trig. There is a deer track along most of this but it peters out as the fence turns and climbs up the hill.

1st Nov 2020  10:30  by Oldhortus

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Started at Blakehopesburnhaugh car park then used the maze of forest tracks to the trig. Ok view part blocked by conifers.

29th Dec 2019  12:37  by paulxtr

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

From Blakehopeburnhaugh. Followed forest tracks to the turning circle ENE of trig then the line of fence posts to the crags. An easy scramble up to the top, all the while watching out for the crevasses mentioned below. Original cap in place. Excellent view towards The Cheviot. Someone has gone to the trouble of taking a sheet of glass to the summit just so they could smash it on the hexagonal concrete fire lookout tower base! On the return visited the Three Kings stone circle. The forest has been harvested here and the paths leading to the circle (including one with steps and handrail) have been wantonly destroyed.

concrete fire tower base complete with smashed glass ©paulxtr
Ellis Crag ©paulxtr

18th Feb 2019  17:44  by Geordie

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

18th Feb 2019  00:00  by carolje

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

The concrete base near the trig must be the fire tower marked on the 1:25000 map. Be careful of the big heather covered cleft in the rock a few metres to the south of the trig!

6th Aug 2018  11:00  by Borderer

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

From the closed gate just off the forest drive NT 74733 01206 followed the obvious track to a point east of the pillar. I found that the best route was to keep to the right at the last junction and follow the track to the turning circle then follow the dilapidated fence to the summit. As noted by previous visitors watch out for the hidden holes in the heather on the last slope as it would be easy to turn an ankle. Stopped off at the Three King's on the way back. There is a Hexagonal concrete base some 50 metres to the north east of the pillar which looks like an observation or gun emplacement platform, can't find anything online and no reference from previous visitors.

©Borderer

11th May 2018  12:53  by amblerbob

Gridref: NT 74733 01210   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Track from Blakehopeburnhaugh car park to quarry then along fence to trig. Cold wind on top but views were good. Three mountain goats and a deer seen on return. Also visited Three Kings Stone Circle.

Ellis Crag Worth the effort for the view

3rd May 2018  13:45  by beckroad

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Parked next to the church in Byrness. Walked south then west along forest roads to Ellis Cleugh nt743005 and followed the ditch line to summit. Observed a wild mountain goat doing a 100m sprint along the forest road. Wonderful weathering of sandstone rock on Ellis Crag. The trig point is situated on the eastern edge of this crag and has wonderful views especially to the east and south. Returned via the Three Kings Stone Circle nt774009.This is well worth a visit.

Wonderful weathered rock Ellis Crag©beckroad

22nd Feb 2018  11:45  by Nick&Rosie

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Parked at the junction of the minor track that forks off the Forest Drive just W of Blackblakehope (the barrier being down and padlocked) and followed the track to the point where it swings E and Ellis Crag comes into view. There are 2 possible routes here - the first a track that starts by crossing a pretty little waterfall and heads NW towards Bittlestonegate Cairn; the alternative is a firebreak about 50 yards further along the track that leads NNE directly towards Ellis Crag. Do NOT go for the first option - the track ends long before the trees do, and they get progressively denser, then there's a tough yomp across very rough moor before ascending up onto the crags. The firebreak option starts off boggy but gets progressively easier. The wall of rock in front of you looks a formidable obstacle but is easily circumvented, although the final ascent is a steep little scramble. The TP sits in a lofty position with commanding views from N to SW through E. A fine and worthwhile TP to bag!

View North
View East with Rosie
View South
View West

26th Mar 2017  00:00  by caroleengel

Gridref: NT 74733 01204   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Parked at track junction on forest drive at NT751997. The drive starts at NY782012

21st Jan 2017  11:10  by sheepsocks

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Sunny sub-zero day so ideal for trigging in Kielder Forest. By Kielder standards this is a classy one, not needing a marathon trek along endless tracks, and no saturated tussocky moorland (well, not much). Parked by Byrness church on the A68, walked up the footpath then forest tracks to the turning circle at 753014, then up fence and a scramble on to the top of the impressive crags.

12th Sep 2016  16:22  by Aye Jimmy

Gridref: NT 74733 01206   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Walked from Forest Road but 'forestry operations' made life awkward - some rough going - am impressed by Clochandighter and Coinea's three trig circuit... must have been hard graft! Trig in fine position.

Ellis Crag The TP. One sight hole open, to NE under the moss.
Ellis Crag OS cap deeply indented letters.
Ellis Crag The FB.

9th Jun 2016  14:05  by offpiste

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Cycled up from forest drive from the south them walked last bit up fire break . First logged visit for 8 years. Good views south over forest trig in very good condition.

11th Jun 2008  12:15  by PHMB

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Climbed from Byrness on A68 and it was diffucult going all the way! Using an Explorer map which suggested forest tracks that just were not there. Stayed with remains of fence. Actual crag has deep heather masking what could be nasty holes between rocks. good views over forest. Pillar retains some white paint and plug (large deep indented lettering).

17th May 2008  19:31  by coinea

Gridref: NT 74733 01204   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

S7911 Ellis Crag.m

17th May 2008  19:28  by clochandighter

Gridref: NT 74732 01201   FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

HISTORY: Pillar completed 24th November 1953 costing £48.11s.0d. Computed as secondary triangulation station NT72/10 within the Jedburgh block during 1957. Levelled for height to Class 2 precision in 1958. Last maintained by the OS in November 1986. SITE VISIT: Parked on farm track adjacent to barn, with kind permission of farmer at Chattlehope, NT738028. Endurance testing three trig circuit included White Crags, The Grun and Ellis Crag. Deep heather, plenty bogs, no paths, long peat troughs etc. Final approach from southwest. Heather clad top with crags, above forest. Pillar in good condition. Spider retains OS centre cap with deep indented lettering. Flush bracket faces northwest, compass measurement 322°. Vented through left (NE) sight hole. Panoramic outlook includes Thirl Moor and The Cheviot. Descended north to forest track.

S7911 - Ellis Crag pillar & FB

8th Sep 2007  11:37  by andyc

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Cycled to turning circle at 753014 and then followed fence line 400m to crag for final climb up to trig point. Excellent views on bright sunny day.

28th Aug 2004  12:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: S7911  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

vgc, metal cap deep letters - Access:from forest drive, 757998, follow track then cross clear-felled area to ridge - Hill:fine heather/crag hill, good view

S7911 fb ©peregrinus
S7911 trig ©peregrinus
S7911 trig ©peregrinus