about 7miles.
Explorer Map No OL31 - North Pennines
A circular walk setting out from Alston, in Cumbria, and
walking to Kirkhaugh via the East bank of the South Tyne River. The return
is along the Pennine Way on the West Bank of the South Tyne river.
Although the paths are relatively straightforward, some very careful map-reading
is required on the outward leg. We found that the footpaths do not exactly
match the map, and the sign posting left quite a bit to be desired at
times.
There is another problem in that it is ESSENTIAL to use the most recent
version of OL31. The Pennine Way footpath as shown on older versions of
this map is NOT the same as on the current version.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the car parkby the railway station (NY7165046767).
Head North along the South Tyne Trail, but soon after passing the engine
sheds look for the finger post on your right that shows a footpath to
Paddy's Well steps (NY71557 47274). This finger post is NOT all that easy
to see.
Follow the footpath to where it meets the road at NY7140248144.
Head North West along the road, past Randalholm Bridge, and where you
see a forestry track heading upwards on your right at NY70782 48754 (indicated
by a finger post) follow this track uphill through Kirkside Wood to exit
at NY70492 49224.
Here take the left footpath that follows the wall, to descend down to
Underbank and Kirkhaugh Church. Past Kirkhaugh Church, take the footpath
to Kirkhaugh Bridge and cross the South Tyne River.
Take the footpath that leads to the bridge over the railway at NY69587
49699.
From the bridge, head for the Pennine Way footpath and head South along
the Pennine Way footpath to Harbut Law.
Cross the road and take the track to Harbut Lodge.
From here, take the waymarked Pennine Way footpath all the way back to
Alston.