Alston, Bleagate and South Tyne Trail

Ramble by Woods and Streams Through the South Tyne Valley

Alston is the highest market town in England. With magnificent views over the South Tyne Valley towards the highest Pennine fells, the walk passes 18th-century hill farms which are still in use, ancient drystone walls, and fields grazed by hardy sheep. The route crosses a delightful wooded gill and returns along a section of the Pennine Way.

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Start Point

Alston

Grid Ref: NY 71969 46293

Total Distance

3.6 miles (5.7 km)

Total Climbing

102 metres

Estimated Time

2 hours

Difficulty Grade

Easy

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 About Alston

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring North Pennines – Teesdale and Weardale:

OL31 North Pennines – Teesdale and Weardale →

The Walk Report

From the top of Alston's main street a narrow lane leads out of the town between drystone walls and a few outlying cottages. The path reaches Fairhill Cottages, which were once almshouses, and then follows a track to Fairhill Farm. Annat Walls, another farm, is passed next before continuing due south to cross Nattrass Gill, where waterfalls tumble gently through sheltered woods of rowan, hazel, sycamore, and birch. The path climbs steeply out of the wooded gill and back into open countryside, continuing to its southern extremity at Bleagate.

The return northbound journey follows the Pennine Way across fields and to another crossing of Nattrass Gill via a footbridge, before continuing back across more fields and country lanes to Alston.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Alston, Bleagate and South Tyne Trail

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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