Walk the Pennine WayWeb site map
Pennine Way
Twice Brewed to Alston
Sunday 24th August.
Day:4 - Distance:25 miles

It was a bright morning with clear blue sky and a light wind. We quickly broke camp and headed out on the footpath through the back of Winsheil farm and up the steep climb back on to Hadrians wall. We turned West along the wall and set a good pace as we knew we had another long day ahead of us. It's hard work walking along the wall as it falls and rises steeply with the terrain. We covered nearly 4 miles in 70 minuets and stopped for a breakfast break at the quarry pit next to the visitor facilities.









NY712666
We felt good and were moving again quite quickly. The terrain was much easier through fields and pasture land to the North of Haltwhistle. The way passes the ruined Thirwall Castle and then across a railway line via a pedestrian crossing. Keep an eye open for trains traveling quickly coming around the bend from the North.



NY657660
Having crossed the railway we passed a row of terraced houses, crossed the road and up over the Golf Course. I think the route may now go up the front drive of the golf club but it wasn't clear. The golf club restaurant was offering 'all day breakfdast' but we resisted the temptation and took a short break in the pasture a little further along. Digestive busicuits and chocolate spread provide an excelent source of energy balancing carbohydrates and fat. The chocolate spread has a massive 200 calories per ounce. This is right at the top end of the scale for energy v weight and an important consideration when traveling ultralight.
NY
The Pennine Way now turns south and crosses the busy A69 trunk road. After 3 days of wild country walking the past 2 hours where a little bit of a shock. We picked up the pace as we headed up on to Denton Fell. The weather was still bright and sunny but the wind was blowing strongly in our faces as we picked a suitable place to stop for lunch. We found a great spot behind a high stone write in the middle of the Fell. The perfect place to cook lunch and kick our shoes of for 45 minutes.



NY627621
We set of promptly after lunch continuing southbound across the fell to find the route through the farm at Greenriggs. We struggled to follow the path and landmarks were hard to find. We actually found our way off the open country about half a mile west of our target at the derelict farmstead of Ash Cleugh. From here we followed a footpath to get ourselves back on track.The Pennine Way continues on a winding route through farm land and it was a pleasant walk on a warm afternoon. We took a short break at Hartley Burn and filtered 2 litres of water to fill our water bottle. We would be needing water to see us through the afternoon as the wind had dropped, the sun was shining strongly, and the temperature had risen sharply. We continued onward to the point where the route crossed the A689 road and made a decision at this point to follow the footpath that runs along the dismantled railway in the South Tyne Valley. This route runs parallel to, but to the West of the Pennine Way. The advantage to following this route on a hot afternoon is the shade from the trees along each side.











NY666586
We walked through the village of Lambly and onto the disused railway line. The walking here is much easier. Its cooler in the shade and the surface is flat with a gentle incline. We increased our pace and head on to Shaggyford covering 5 miles in 90 minutes. When we reached Shaggyford we stoped to take stock of our situation, fill our water bottles, and chat with a friendly local at the station house. Its another 4 miles on to Alston and we decide to end our walk for the day and camp in the fields at the river side.


NY678524



NY683516
map   -  next day