Allen Banks - Staward Gorge Walk Northumberland

Allen Banks-Staward Gorge

Via Plankey Mill

6 Miles 4.5 hours

Location OS Landranger sheet 87 NY 798641

How to get there From East: A69 from Newcastle, 4 1/2 K past Haydon Bridge,take left turn at Crow Hall, From West: A69 from Carlisle 8K beyond Haltwhistle, take right turn at Crow Hall.Pass under Railway bridge then immediately left past Ridley Hall.

Park in Allen banks National Trust car park £3- 8 hours £1.50 - 4 hours (June 2008)

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Start The walk commences immediately, south, out of the car park and along the west bank of the Allen

The walk does not cross the river at this suspension bridge.

Follow the path and using the new bridge, cross the River Allen at Plankey Mill

From the bridge the walk continues across the field to the right through a new-fangled gate and into a meadow. The river now to your right is placid and beautiful.

Follow the path across the meadow and over the stile at the end to stay by the riverbank.

The path, having crossed a footbridge, drops down to a waypost with the word PEEL engraved on the side.

The walk continues to the right, passing an old lime kiln, and following the river round a long bend.

At an old gateway (now just the two old stone pillars) the walk continues up the hill beyond.

This could act as a shortened walk . The path now to the left going back to the start, with the energetic making a visit to the Stawart PEEL remains.

The path and the Peel.

Further up the hill the path divides and this walk follows the sign, right, down to the river.

The path passes a cliff face with a "Crag ahead subject to unpredictable rock falls" sign

and makes its way up to a "Staward Gorge" sign.

It then drops sharply again to the riverside and the path to the furthest extent of the walk is wide and flat.

The Cupola bridge, on the A686 Alston road, is the furthest extent of this walk.

While I am more comfortable with a Circular route I found that now with sun behind me it offered the return walk a charm of its own

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