Alston Railway and the Pennine Way

We have been thinking about walking the Alston Railway Line for some time as it is 6 years since we were last here. It was an ideal day to pick up Peter from his new home in Aglionby near Carlisle so he could spend the day walking with us. It all went to plan and we were ready to depart from the station at Alston by 10.30am just before a steam train was due to leave on its 6 mile journey to Slaggyford. As it was school holidays there were a good number of visitors to the railway.

The first 3 miles of the walk were along the old railway which is now narrow gauge  

At a bridge over the Gilderdale Burn we crossed from Cumberland into Northumberland 

The Gilderdale Burn just before it joins the South Tyne

The points at a siding just outside Kirkhaugh Station

This is the Station at Kirkhaugh. I was very impressed with the main station at Alston and it seems they have spent a lot of money doing it up. It has a lovely cafe and new toilet facilities.  

For the return journey to Alston we followed the Pennine Way which was a most enjoyable walk with some good views

At the highest point of the walk we stopped to have a snack but the wind had got up admit was bitterly cold

Near Alston we passed this lovely tree in full autumn colours

The train that was running along the line today

This was the map of our walk. The total distance was about 7.5 miles which was just about enough for us auld yins. We finished with a nice lunch in the station cafe, although Peters choice of food was a bit stodgy according to him.