Distance: 16.75 miles
Ascent: 2,500 ft
Highest Point: 2,575 ft
Going: Moderate with one steep climb
Map: OS Explorer OL31
View map, route profile & download GPX route file
This is a stage of great contrasts and one that for a large part follows, again, the Pennine Way. It starts in the South Tyne valley, crosses the Pennines just below its highest point Cross Fell and then descends into the Eden valley.
The path starts almost immediately after leaving Alston with a delightful section by, or close to, the South Tyne as far as Garrigill. From here there is a steady climb on an excellent track, walled at the start, up to the shoulder of Cross Fell. It passes the mountain bothy of Greg’s Hut – an excellent lunch spot. The path down, sadly, is not of the same quality being wet and, in mist, difficult to follow at the start but improves greatly as a distant vista of the Lakeland Fells presents itself.
From Kirkland the route crosses farmland to reach Crowdundle Beck which at the time of writing lacks a footbridge. Until the latest one to be swept away by floods is replaced, the beck must be forded (New bridge built Summer 2010). Not far away is Milburn with its large green and towering maypole.