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Pennine Way part three, Alston to Kirk Yetholm

By Hugh Stewart May 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

Boggy moors abound, boggier than further south. Although we didn’t get wet feet, some folk we met went in upto their knees. Use of walking poles and care recommended.
Definitely worth starting from Alston on the old rail line, to Slaggyford, but going down to the river just before as that is a good bit. Don’t rush the Wall, take a day and visit the military Museum near Greenhead, open just before 10; Housesteads fort; and get the special bus to Vindalanda, where currently a dig is in going on, and where the excellent museum shows recently dug “tablets”, or bark writings. Open till after 5, and the bus returns you to Housesteads, where we recommend Beggar Bog B&B, 200 yards down the road.
Padon Hill has a foul reputation, not justified, although the last mile to a forest track is very boggy. The alternative I think is worse: road or hard track.
Forest View Inn is excellent, enabling the pick up and drop off at half way over to the end, breaking up a 28 mile stretch. Their hospitality (and beer), is legendary, and there will be other walkers to have sociable evenings with.
As everyone says, cant see a thing from the Cheviot as the plateau is too broad and flat.
Also recommend Four Wynds B&B at Longbyre (Greenhead), very knowledgeable and hospitable. The picture outside the Border Hotel Kirk Yetholm was taken by a local who seems to make a living, or at least a drinking, from walkers finishing the Way, the payment for the picture being another pint!

Milecastle 39 on Hadrian’s Wall, with Crag Lough beyond.
Outside the Border Hotel Kirk Yetholm, just finished.

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

View Book

Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

View Book

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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