Route 1: Alston Details

Points of interest C Rock layers

See pages 18-19 in the booklet for full D Dry Burn Route 1: Alston details.

A Nenthead Mines You’ll travel through a landscape rich with echoes of the area’s lead mining past. Passing through the small town of Alston and the villages of Nenthead and Garrigill, as well as over the high moors, it’s a route of contrasts.

Fact file

The old smelt mill at Nenthead Mines • Length: 29km (18 miles) • Off-road: 30% B Shake holes • Ascent: 912m (2,992ft) E Leadgate • Terrain: An undulating route. One steep descent on a loose, stony F Park Fell Great views in the Nent Valley track. Ford crossing at Garrigill (direction 7) – care required if G The Ward Way South Tyne River is high H Alston • Start: Nenthead Mines car park (NY 781 436) I Blagill • OS maps: Explorer OL31/ Landranger 87 J Aerial ropeway remains • This route is promoted as a horse Shake holes are a quite common feature in riding and a mountain biking trail. the North Pennines Please ride carefully and be aware of other users, including walkers

Funded by: Riding above Nenthead in the Upper Nent Valley

This trail has been upgraded by the North Pennines AONB Partnership in collaboration with Cumbria County Council’s Countryside Access Team. 7 Cross the ford. TR at the road.

Key Continue SA through Garrigill, â passing to the L of the green L – left Weardale Weardale R – right 8 TL in Leadgate – SP Penrith 17 2 TL – turn left 3

9 After an uphill section TR – SP 4 TR – turn right Public Way SA – straight ahead J SP – signposted 10 Cross the A686 – CARE! – A Continue ahead on the track Xrds – crossroads 1 Tj – T-junction 11 Go round the sharp R-hand bend and continue downhill on the tarmac Directions 12 TL and then immediately R onto 1 Go through the gate just to the R 16 17 the main road q Teesdale

of the buildings. Follow the stone 6 5 track SA up through the site. At 13 TL at the Tj (SP Hexham A686). Mill Cottage continue SA – SP Go through Alston, passing the bridleway to Priorsdale

petrol station. Just before the 7 national speed limit signs TR up 2 At the fork bear R over the stream the steep hill – SP Coatley Hill I and in front of a building with a (North Loaning) 15 corrugated iron roof 14 TR at the top 3 At the fork bear L along the lower B

track – SP bridleway and red 7. 15 Just after the really sharp R-hand 14 After 50m continue SA bend TL through the gate – SP C

Public Way & Clinty Brow Farm H 4 SA on the road. After the R-hand N ã bend continue downhill into the 16 TR onto the tarmac D 13

forest Km Miles Hexham å 17 12 8 At the Tj TL uphill and follow the 3 5 TR on the main road road back to Nenthead G E

Durham County Council. LA100049055. 2011. 11

Just after the cottages continue 2 9

downhill on the stone track. Take F

care – this section is very steep 1 10 with a loose surface (especially ç

towards the bottom) – walking 1 could be a good option! Hartside & Penrith 0