9.86 miles.
Explorer Map OL31, - North Pennines (Teesdale and Weardale)
The walk starts from Garrigill, and follows the South
Tyne river Northwards to Alston.
On the outward leg, the route utilises the Pennine Wayfootpath along
the West bank of the river for a couple of miles, then continues without
crossing the river to Leadgate and onwards, using field footpaths,
to Alston.
The return leg follows mostly field footpaths on the East side of
the South Tyne valley to return to Garrigill.
Navigation is no problem.
The only possible difficulty is the large numer of stiles encountered,
one or two of which are quite high.
The outward leg is very attractive, with its views of the South Tyne
river.
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 centre of Garrigill village (NY74487
41548).
Take the road North Westwards out of the village until you see two
footpath signs on your right. Ignore the first finger post. The second
finger post directs you onto the Pennine Way footpath, heading North
Westwards beside the South Tyne river.
Continue on the Pennine Way footpath until you come to a prominent
footbridge, where the Pennine Way crosses the South Tyne. DO NOT cross
the river, but continue along the West bank for anothe rmile or so.
When the path swings West at the Black Burn, continue along the well
defined path (now a lane) to Blackburn Bridge.
Cross the bridge, and follow the road uphill for a short distance.
A footpath sign by some houses leads you down a road to Low Ameshaugh
Farm.
Continue through the farmyard and take the footpath North North West
across two fields (follow the waymarks).
After crossing the second field, turn sharp right and follow the field
footpath (indicated by waymarks) to the road that leads to Alston.
follow the road for about 1/2 mile until a finger post directs you
to a footpath that follows the river to Alston.
In Alston, head Northwards along the main road towards the town centre.
Turn rigth by the Tourist Information Centre, and head past the Market
Cross and the Post Office.
At a chapel on your right there is a footpath that heads South. Take
this footpath until it reaches a lane by some houses, and turn right
and then left. Just past the cemetery, the footpath turns right (with
the cemetery on your right) to reach the Pennine Way footpath heading
South.
Follow the Pennine Way footpath South to Bleagate Farm, and onwards
to Low Sillyhall Farm.
Where the Pennine Way footpath drops down to the river, continue instead
on the field footpath past Low Craig Farm.
This footpath eventually meets the road that leads you back into Garrigill.