Packhorse Trails Five horse riding routes in the North Pennines Welcome to the North Pennines The North Pennines is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive plants and much, much more. The area is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and a vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The AONB is also a European and Global Geopark in recognition of its important geological heritage and local efforts to bring it to life. Discovering a smelt mill flue in Allendale The North Pennines lies within the boundaries of five local authorities: the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland and the districts of Carlisle and Eden. In the North Pennines you’ll find: • Some of the best walking, cycling and horse riding in the UK • 40% of the UK’s upland hay meadows • 80% of England’s black grouse • 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds • Peace, tranquillity and fabulous night skies • England’s biggest waterfall – High Force Finding out about hay meadows in Teesdale. 02 Upper Teesdale Contents How to use this guide 4 Horse riding code 5 Disclaimer: Information is correct at the time of going to Route basics 6 print (September 2011). Every effort has been Places to eat and drink 8 made to ensure that information is accurate. However, the AONB Partnership and its Staff Finding accommodation 11 Unit cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Please check critical information Foundations of the landscape 12 before travel. Inclusion in this guide is not a recommendation by the AONB Partnership and in People and place 14 itself is not necessarily a guarantee of quality. Moving the lead 16 Image credits: The Routes Unless stated images are © North Pennines AONB Partnership/Elizabeth Pickett/Shane Harris/ 1. Alston 18 Paul Frodsham/Ruth Starr-Keddle/Abi Wylde/Jon Charlton/Elfie Waren/Rebecca Barrett. © NPAP/K. 2. Baldersdale 20 Gibson/Charlie Hedley/Louise Taylor. © Natural England/Charlie Hedley and Eden Tourism. 3. Blanchland 22 This guide is printed on: 4. Hamsterley 24 Folder - 350gsm 9Lives 80 Silk; Route cards - 5. Hartside 26 200gsm waterproof paper; Booklet - 200 and 170gsm Cocoon 100 Silk. 9Lives 80 Silk is 60% GPS waypoints 28 post-consumer FSC certified, 20% FSC certified virgin TCF fibre, 20% recycled wood and fibre Livery, stabling and horse riding 30 sourced from sustainable forests. Cocoon 100 Silk is 100% post-consumer FSC recycled certified Further information 34 fibre, chlorine free. 03 How to use this guide On horseback is a great way to explore the Safety first fantastic scenery of the North Pennines. These five ‘do in a day’ routes are great to The routes cross some fairly remote terrain get you out into the wilds with nothing to and it’s probably best to go in a group. disturb you other than the clip clop of your However you do them it is definitely horse’s hooves, curlews calling and the advisable to let someone know where you wind in your hair! are going and when you plan to get back. The guide comes in two parts: Weather • Five waterproof route cards The weather can change rapidly in the North Pennines. It is perfectly possible • This booklet to experience all four seasons in one day at almost any time of year. All the routes If you don’t want to risk getting the booklet also cross high ground. It’s a good idea to wet then you can do the routes just using check the forecast before you set off (www. the cards. Taking a back-up OS map (and metoffice.gov.uk) and to carry waterproofs compass) is a good idea. If GPS is your thing and spare clothing just in case! you’ll find waypoints on pages 28-29. Take care! The five routes are promoted as mountain biking AND horse riding routes. Please follow the code on page 5. Ride carefully and be aware of other users, including walkers. Watch out for mountain bikers! 04 Horse riding code Please follow this simple code to ensure enjoyable riding and the safety of yourself and others. Obey the rules of the road • Always follow the Highway Code Be courteous • Give way to walkers and other horse riders. Don’t assume they can see or hear you • Don’t expect to travel quickly on shared- use routes • Warn people of your approach. Acknowledge people who give way Care for the environment Look after yourself • Can you ride the whole of your • Make sure you and your horse are route, rather than taking a vehicle prepared and equipped to ride in remote and horsebox? countryside • Follow the Countryside Code. • Carry food, map, spare clothing and Respect. Protect. Enjoy. Visit waterproofs www.naturalengland.org.uk • Consider wearing a helmet and bright • Respect land management activities, clothing such as farming or forestry and take litter home • Take care at junctions, when riding downhill and on loose or wet surfaces • Dismount on steep sections to reduce erosion and to make sure you and your horse are safe 05 Route basics Riding the Hamsterley Route All the rides are circular and are easily Route 1: Alston completed within a day’s riding. All the routes include on and off-road riding. None • Length: 29km (18 miles) – 30% off-road of the routes are enormously difficult, although you will encounter some narrow, • Ascent: 912m (2,992ft) rocky trails, stone tracks and rough sections • Start: Nenthead Mines car park across moorland. All the routes cross high, (NY 781 436) upland ridges – are you and your horse up to the challenge? • OS maps: Explorer OL31/Landranger 87 600 550 4 2 500 450 6 16 400 10 14 350 8 Altitude (m) 300 12 250 200 150 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Distance (km) 06 Route 2: Baldersdale Route 4: Hamsterley • Length: 18km (11 miles) – 60% off-road • Length: 26km (16 miles) – 75% off-road • Ascent: 370m (1,212ft) • Ascent: 846m (2,775ft) • Start: Northumbrian Water car park on • Start: Grove car park (NY 066 298) on the south side of Hury Reservoir (NY 966 192) Hamsterley Forest Drive • OS maps: Explorer OL31/Landranger 92 • OS maps: Explorer OL31/Landranger 92 600 600 550 550 500 500 450 450 12 400 400 10 16 16 18 350 350 Altitude (m) 20 14 Altitude (m) 12 6 300 8 18 300 4 10 8 14 6 250 250 2 20 22 2 4 200 200 150 150 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Distance (km) Distance (km) Route 3: Blanchland Route 5: Hartside • Length: 21km (13 miles) – 70% off-road • Length: 11km (7 miles) – 75% off-road • Ascent: 1,027m (3,370ft) • Ascent: 458m (1,501ft) • Start: Baybridge car park (NY 957 500) • Start: Car park at Hartside Top Café (NY 646 418) • OS maps: Explorer OL43/Landranger 87 • OS maps: Explorer OL31/Landranger 86 600 600 550 550 2 500 500 12 450 450 400 20 8 400 4 6 350 4 350 Altitude (m) Altitude (m) 2 18 300 300 10 250 250 200 14 16 8 200 6 10 12 150 150 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Distance (km) Distance (km) 07 Places to eat and drink Key The Miners Arms Nenthead, CA9 3PF On the route T: 01434 381 427 E: [email protected] < Less than a mile from route W: www.nenthead.com > More than a mile from route < Nent Hall Country House Hotel Nr Alston, CA9 3LQ Note that opening times vary and some T: 01434 381 584 establishments have seasonal opening – E: [email protected] it’s best to check before you rely on them! W: www.nenthall.com < Blueberry’s Café Route 1. Alston Market Place, Alston, CA9 3QN T: 01434 381 928 George & Dragon Inn < The Green, Garrigill, CA9 3DS Cumbrian Pantry T: 01434 382 014 Front Street, Alston, CA9 3HU E: [email protected] T: 01434 381 406 Alston House < The Turks Head Townfoot, Alston, CA9 3RN Market Place, Alston, CA9 3SE T: 01434 382 200 T: 01434 394 859 E: [email protected] W: www.alstonhouse.co.uk The Cumberland Hotel Townfoot, Alston, CA9 3HX T: 01434 381 875 E: [email protected] W: www.alstoncumberlandhotel.co.uk Blueberry’s Café in Alston Market Place, just off Route 1 08 > West Nattrass Tearoom > Rose and Crown Hotel West Nattrass, Nr Alston, CA9 3DA Romaldkirk, DL12 9EB T: 01434 382 292 T: 01833 650 213 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.westnattrass.com W: www.rose-and-crown.co.uk > Hartside Top Café > Kirk Inn See Route 5: Hartside for details Romaldkirk, DL12 9ED T: 01833 650 260 E: [email protected] Route 2. Baldersdale > The Blacksmith’s Arms There are no cafés or pubs actually on this Mickleton, DL12 0JY route. T: 01833 640 605 > The Coach House Café & Bistro > The Crown Eggleston Hall, Nr Eggleston, DL12 0AG Mickleton, DL12 0JZ T: 01833 650 553 T: 01833 640 381 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.egglestonhall.co.uk W: www.thecrownatmickleton.co.uk > The Fox and Hounds > The Ancient Unicorn Cotherstone, DL12 9PF Bowes, DL12 9HL T: 01833 650 241 T: 01833 628 321 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.cotherstonefox.co.uk W: www.ancient-unicorn.com > The Red Lion Cotherstone, DL12 9QE Route 3.