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Alston Moor and the area around is perhaps best known to walkers and cyclists, who travel the Pennine Way, one of the longest walks in Britain and those cyclists who are brave enough to attempt the C2C cycle way. There are lots of gentler walks and the hills and valleys provide a perfect habitat for wild and rare animals such as red squirrels, roe deer, black grouse, peregrines, curlews, lapwings and birds of prey are among the many species you may encounter. You cannot miss the rich and diverse flora and fauna when strolling through the peaceful countryside with an abundance of unique alpine wild flowers gracing the fields and fells.
 The 270 mile long Pennine Way has something to offer every long distance walker, although it’s not for the faint hearted with Alston Moor being about two thirds of the way into the route. The route takes you from the Peak District National Park, along the Pennine ridge through the Yorkshire Dales and then up through Teesdale, the North Pennines and Northumberland, across the Cheviots, eventually setting you down in the Scottish Borders.
The C2C cycle route which runs across the North of England from Whitehaven/Workington on the West coast to Sunderland/Tynemouth on the North Sea coast, runs through the villages of Garrigill and Nenthead.
 There are also four mapped cycling routes for experienced cyclists starting from Alston (both on and off road). The routes range from 16 to 35 miles, with lots of steep ups and downs, but fantastic panoramic views and wonderful North Pennines scenery make up for the effort. A high level of fitness and stamina is required for all these routes, especially the 35 mile route, which will probably take mosts cyclists a whole day to complete, but well worth it! Download cycling leaflet right
There are also various recommended walks you can do in and around Alston Moor ranging from gentle 2 mile walks to a more adventurous walk following the South Tyne trail from the source up beyond Tynehead, then downstream through Garrigill (with a small detour to Ashgill Force) and then along the river to Alston (9 ½ mles) ... and if you're up to it you can continue on to Slaggyford and Lambley eventually ending in Haltwhistle (23 miles in total).
The Local Links Centre in Alston Town Hall have a wide range of leaflets, both on walking and cycling (some free), as well as some published by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and Natural England, on local flora and fauna, birds, wildlife and water falls.
Tel. 01434 382244 or Email
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 The Right to Roam Act (Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000) gives you the chance to enjoy vast areas of England's outdoors without the need to stick to paths. This right covers some of England's most wild and dramatic landscapes, heaths, moors, down and areas of registered common land and gives the public the chance to legally explore away from the beaten track for the first time. The Open Access symbol is used to mark the boundaries of land available for area-wide access. You may come across the symbol when out in the countryside, for example on fence posts to let you know when you have reached an area designated as access land.
The best way to find out where the new right of access applies is by looking at a new OS Explorer Map. All the maps have all been updated to show access land. Lookout for the access symbol on the front.
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