Alston Cobbles on Front Street – South Tynedale Railway loop from Alston

Mountain biking trails

Alston Cobbles on Front Street – South Tynedale Railway loop from Alston

Moderate

riders

Alston Cobbles on Front Street – South Tynedale Railway loop from Alston

02:06

28.1km

530m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 31, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

North Pennines National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

294 m

Alston Cobbles on Front Street

Highlight • Structure

About a 30m section of cobbles is being replaced in front of the market square on Front Street. The council have used a couple of different patterns for a trial period and now they are resurfacing and replacing the cobbles more permanently. This work was finished in late 2021 so you can now ride the section.

Tip by

745 m

South Tynedale Railway

Highlight • Historical Site

This narrow gauge railway winds from Alston into the South Tyne Valley in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Powered by steam, diesel, and electric, the locomotives have a fascinating history and look fabulous. An all-day ticket costs £10 for adults, £5 for children, and a £25 for a family. Single rides are available, too. For more information, visit: south-tynedale-railway.org.uk.

Tip by

869 m

Start of the South Tyne Trail at Alston

Highlight • Trail

Start of the South Tyne Trail. Walking and cycling only

Tip by

2.61 km

Mounthooly Plantation

Forest

4.75 km

Off-Road Section in North Pennines National Landscape

Highlight • Trail

12.4 km

Nenthead Lead and Zinc Mines

Highlight • Cave

Located in a remote valley in the North Pennines, the Nenthead mines were once an industrial hub mining lead and zinc. The site has rare lichens and plants that are now growing in the metal-rich mine dumps. The mine is run by a team of volunteers who provide guided tours into the mines.

To find out more information about the mine and the date of their next open day, visit: nentheadmines.com/category/open-days or call 07494 497868. They ask for a minimum donation of £5 per visitor which goes towards the mine's conservation.

Tip by

21.4 km

View of the Valley, North Pennines National Landscape

Highlight • Viewpoint

There are nice widespread views all around this area. You can see through the valley onto the hills on the opposite side of the river. When the weather is clear it is a nce experience seeing sights like this

Tip by

27.9 km

C2C Milepost Penrith

Highlight • Other

27.9 km

YHA Alston Hostel

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Comfortable hostel on C2C route

Tip by

28.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

18.1 km

5.00 km

2.77 km

1.46 km

821 m

Surfaces

11.6 km

10.8 km

4.22 km

1.07 km

441 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (570 m)

Lowest point (270 m)

Weather

Monday 5 October

11°C

6°C

68 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 10, 2025,Alston Round

Got out early to avoid the worst of the heat. So early I had to ask for the gates to be opened at the station
This is a nice steady ride mostly on country lanes and double track. I deliberately went off route to drop into Garrigill because the C2C is badly erroded, it is still a better bet than …