Get Lost Mountaineering

Nettleton to Lincolnshire Highest Point via Nettleton Hill

Anti-clockwise updated 4/7/23

Start/Finish

Anywhere on Nettleton High Street which is just off the A46 Lincoln to Grimsby road at the Salutation Inn at the foot of Caistor Hill. The easiest parking is almost opposite the Inn on the High Street.

Distance/Time

8 km     About 2 – 3 hours - longer if overgrown

Peaks

No obvious peaks as such but the trig point marking the highest point in Lincolnshire is at TF 121 965 and an altitude of 168 m.

Explorer 282: Lincolnshire Wolds North. OS 113: Grimsby.

Introduction

No one would claim that any part of Lincolnshire is mountainous but walks on its gentle rolling hills are enjoyed by many so here is one which goes to the highest point in the county. The outward route goes along a path May not be on some maps) on the Nettleton Hill edge from which there are good views looking west. The return route uses much of the Viking Way which is quite easy to follow but often boggy and, sometimes, very boggy. On 28/6/23, the first part of the route was badly overgrown in places and this is indicated in the route details.

Route

(1) Walk back to the junction with the A46 by the Salutation Inn. Turn left, for Lincoln, and continue until just past the turning for South Kelsey (across the road on the right). Soon reach a footpath sign by a locked gate. If the gate were unlocked, one could walk straight up the hill on the obvious wide path. One could climb over the gate but the official route is to follow the permissive path which doubles back before reaching a stile which gives access to the open hill. On 28/6/23, the official path was very badly overgrown so it was much, much easier to climb over the gate and head straight uphill. Follow the obvious path through some scattered gorse bushes to reach the path above the locked gate and continue uphill. When the path splits, take the right fork and reach the crest. Go right and follow the obvious path which soon turns S and is easy to follow. Stay on the path, crossing to the the left of the fence further on.  Continue easily and pass between two hedgerows of small trees where, again, the path was badly overgrown on 28/6/23, and only just passable with many thorny branches to avoid. Secateurs or a machette might help! When one finally emerges, the buildings, Castle Top, to the west of Nettleton Top will be seen. Stay on the obvious path and descend to the road which then climbs uphill in the direction of Nettleton Top before passing through a small hamlet to join the Nettleton Top road opposite a large barn. There is a rough alternative from the end of the hedgerows which contours around but, eventually, one has to descend between two hedgerows to the same road so you may as well head straight for the road on better ground! Go S along the Nettleton Top road for about 1 km to reach the Viking Way track (sign post) by Acre House. Follow the track E to a gate. From the gate, continue to walk E, away from Acre House, past the Viking Way sign pointing N down a shallow valley, to the telegraph pole opposite the second hedge going S. This hedge leads directly to the trig point but access is blocked by a locked gate so continue, along the bridleway, to the next gate. Just after this, there is a gap in the hedge on the right which gives easier access although on 28/6/23, most usual routes through the hedge were blocked by overgrown nettles and brambles so keep walking past the second gate for about 100 m or so where one can literally walk through a large gap into the field close to the third hedge. Then walk back to the second hedge. Walk up the side of the hedge opposite the telegraph pole, keeping off any crops and staying close to the edge on a fairly wide grassy verge. The route ascends gently for just over 400 m to reach the trig point which is the highest point in Lincolnshire but sits by a hedge in a field of crops. The radar station “golf ball” will be visible about 1 km to the SE.

(2) Retrace to the bridleway E of Acre House. Cross over and pick a way, roughly NW, down to the Viking Way path in the shallow valley. On 28/6/23, this was overgrown in places but not impassable. Follow the well marked Viking Way down the bottom of the valley through several gates to reach a wood where there are some old workings. Pass through the wood but do not go up the many steps to the right. Reach a rough track which leads out of the wood to a better track. Turn left then soon go right and follow the Viking Way heading N. After about another km, a small lake is passed near Nettleton Grange and a T junction is reached. Turn left and soon reach a tarmac road. Turn right and follow the road back to Nettleton village.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 25^th March, 2016, and was updated from the reverse walk on 28/6/23.

(b) Those who simply wish to visit the highest point and no more, should drive up the Claxby road from Nettleton as far as Acre House from where it is less than 1 km to the trig point. Alternatively, drive to golf ball/radar station and walk in from there (see route from Rothwell) which is only about 0.5 km.