- START GR 977116 Grassy area at side of road just after Coppath Burn
- Head off up the road to Ewartly Shank. Go through two gates and then between the farm bungalow and the barns to reach a signed narrow gate. Follow the signs to the plantation behind, and go through the trees to a 5-barred gate. Descend steeply right then left to cross the burn at (957137)
- Continue NW and carry up a steep section. This soon becomes cycleable (with effort). Carry on past the summit of Little Dodd, then enjoy a descent to Low Bleakhope Farm.
- Turn right along the farm access road for 3.5km to Alnham Moor Farm. (972154). Cross the Breamish via the bridge and follow the road to Hartside. Turn left towards Linhope. Look out for a bridleway on the left after 1km. Go through the gate onto a good track heading NE across open fields. Although not steep this is hard work and will entail occasional dismounts at boggy drainage ditches. Stick with it for 3km crossing a couple of walls/fences to a gate at (987178)
- At this point we turn back taking a less well defined line marked with posts heading SSE before swinging round SE to Greensidehill (technical riding) (983163). Turn right at the road to Hartside and retrace steps to Alnham Moor.
- Keeping right of the Breamish descend to a bridge over Shank Burn just below the farm. The track ahead is visible ascending steadily to the right of a plantation. This is hard work and eventually joins a red-shale track coming over from Chesters.
- After just under 2km (there is a sharp bend in the track on a downhill section (985118) Leave the track and continue straight on over grass to a gate in a fenced corner. The next section is often very boggy and almost impassable to start, but soon becomes an exhilarating downhill leading to Alnham church. Turn left up the steep tarmac hill past Castle Hill and back to the start.
Outdoor Leisure Map 16
The Cheviot Hills
A fine route typical of the Type found in this area. Last climb over Castle Hill provides the sting in the tail.
Alnham Moor—25km—Medium/Hard
The site for off-road cycle routes
Home page