Nenthead and Garrigill Cycle Route

This 29km road and off-road cycle route provides a grand tour of the Nent and Upper South Tyne Valleys. The high rolling fells of Alston Moor are separated by two deep valleys, which hold the upper reaches of the River South Tyne and the waters of the River Nent. Both valleys display a classic North Pennine landscape that magical mixture of walled valley bottoms, pasture and hay meadows backed by rough open fell and interspersed by hamlets. They are both a delight to explore, particularly by bike, because they are endowed with quiet roads and lanes that traverse differing levels allowing intimate and far reaching views. Conveniently linking both valleys are ancient traffic free tracks. Originally published as Route 4 in the Biking around Alston: 5 do-in-a-day rides in the North Pennines AONB (2012).
Nent Valley © NPAP/Shane Harris

Location: 

Starting and Finishing at Nenthead Mines car park (NY780436 / CA9 3NR) in Nenthead.

Distance: 

29 km

Terrain: 

  • Off road sections
  • On road sections
  • Steep sections

Area: 

Access: 

  • Car parking
  • Public transport

Interests: 

Facilities nearby: 

  • Cafe
  • Playground
  • Pub
  • Shop
  • Toilets