Monk Strip and Gallowlaw Cairn
Distance 7.9km/4.9miles Time 2 hours
Optional extra - Cessnock Road/Cessnock & Bank Woods Distance 4km/2 1/5 miles (1 hour)
From Threepwood Farm Car Park turn L uphill, after 30 - 40 minutes turn left at the junction and take left again at the top of the hill. You will pass Hillhouse Farm no your R, after about 10 minutes walking you will come to a gate on your right taking you on to the farm track then onto pathway on L up to Gallowlaw Cairn, the views from the top are absolutely stunning. After your descent from the Cairn, turn R and continue downhill, the next farm you come to on your R is Middlethird, this farm was purchased recently by the Gibb family and is now part of Threepwood Estate taking the farm to 420 acres.
Option 1 - back to farm.........Continue until you come to a junction and turn L, take first L again down the hill, continue along the road for around 20 minutes until you come to a junction at Sornhill, you're nearly home, take a L and come up the hill returning to Threepwood.
Option 2 - extention through woodlands.........Continue until you come to a junction and turn L, carry straight ahead at next junction, you will pass 3 houses on your R, turn R at next T junction and take the next turning on your L. At the bottom of the hill near Galston turn sharp L and after just around 75 yards enter the kissing gae on your L into Cessnock Woods. Follow the woodland path, exit via kissing gate, turn R across the bridge and enter kissing gate on opposite side of the road entering Bank Wood follow the path which eventually forks - the R fork is the quickest route but both paths take you back onto the road. Turn R onto the tar road, turn L at the junction at Sornhill, you're now on the home straight, head straight up the hill back to Threepwood Car Park.