Walk 1987 - printer friendly version

Allendale Town Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.6 miles / 10.7 km

Ascent - 700 feet / 212 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NY837558
Lat 54.8966620 + Long -2.2556811
Postcode NE47 9AZ (approx. location only)

This circular walk from Allendale Town explores the East Allen Valley and surrounding countryside. The route initially crosses the higher land to the north of the dale passing through the village of Catton along the way. The walk continues west before dropping into the valley to follow the river upstream along a section of Isaac's Tea Trail back to the start.

The start is the centre of Allendale Town where on-street parking is available (grid ref. NY837558). After parking follow the B6303 north (signed to Hexham). Continue for 800 metres following the road around a left-hand bend across the Philip Burn. Take the next road on the right (just before a bus top on the left). Head uphill and after 170 metres take the first footpath on the left through a wooden gate (grid ref. NY842564). Continue up the enclosed path to a field and follow the waymarked path on the left. Initially head half right to a wall corner and the follow the wall keeping it on your right. Continue past a small stand of trees and continue ahead into a field following the left-hand edge. Towards the end of the field turn left and pass to the left of Houstry Farm (grid ref. NY836572). Follow the waymarks and join the farm's access drive to a lane (grid ref. NY834575).

Turn right and after 250 metres turn left at the fingerpost. The path passes to the left of Stone Stile Farm. Continue across fields and cross Catton Burn. 150 metres beyond the burn turn left at a footpath junction. Follow the path across two narrow fields and join an enclosed track to the road in Catton. Turn right along the B6295 and almost immediately left onto a track between houses. Continue west along the enclosed track. After 700 metres you continue across fields below Pasture House maintaining direction to reach a lane (grid ref. NY818578). Continue west following the fingerpost and continue across fields passing below Old Town to reach Colliery Lane.

Turn left and descend into the valley passing the remains of the old railway. Follow the lane down to cross the river and take the first footpath on the left (grid ref. NY808577). After 800 metres you enter woodland and soon after join Isaac's Tea Trail. Continue along this trail to reach the B6295 (grid ref. NY831566). Turn left across the river and take the first path on the right. Follow the riverside path back to Allendale Town.

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