Six members met at Brampton Sands and got the 08-33 685 bus to Haltwhistle, and started the walk at 08-57.

Went via the railway station to follow the South Tyne trail which is on the trackbed of the railway that went to Alston, closed on 3/5/1976. This railway had a stay of execution due to the fact that sometimes Alston got cut off due to snowdrifts and the railway became it's lifeline so it was agreed that it would remain open until an "all weather road" was built. This road got closed due to snow in its first winter!

 

Across the viaduct over the river South Tyne then across the A69 Haltwhistle by pass which severed the railway embankment when it was built.

Once across that it was a straightforward track passing the site of Featherstone Park station closely followed by Coanwood station. At Coanwood we had to take a diversion due to Lambley viaduct being closed due to fallen masonry, so it was down to the river and the footbridge from where we were able to view the damaged part of the viaduct. It was then up to Lambley and joining the Pennine Journey for a short section before joining another old railway this time Lord Carlisle's railway, never a passenger railway but it served lots of mines and quarries.

 

At Halton le Gate we had a short break whilst the rain had decided to return accompanied by a strong wind. After Midgeholme we left the track formation and crossed the A689 to pick up what is shown on the map as a bridleway which it is apart from an awkward part at Hainingburn Gate where an awkward stile has to be used, no way a horse could get past this! Once past this it was up to Roachburn farm and onto Folly Rigg from where a permissive track took us to Coalfell where we had or lunch break at the memorial to the victims of the Roachburn colliery disaster.

 

By this time the sun had come out but still windy, we picked up the old railway again this part being a permissive section into Hallbankgate where it was decided we would visit The Hub cafe for coffee and cake!

Suitably refreshed it was a minor road walk to Brampton railway station then the Dandy track to the Sands and finish.

 

Stats, Start 08:57 Finish 16-:7 Duration 7:20 Miles16.85 Average 2.3 Ascent 1,543ft.