I have a morning in Carlisle tomorrow, weather looking good, so might have a drive back the long way via Alston, does anyone know of any 'off the beaten track' roads around there worth exploring, I have driven over the A686 many a time but never ventured off on the smaller lanes.

Are there any spots worth looking at to get some good photo's?

Grasshill Causeway from Ireshopeburn in Weardale across to Teesdale? Highest road in England, supposedly, with great views from the top. It's a UUCR, unsurfaced track, but well within the capabilities of the FL2 - I've driven it a number of times. Just be a bit careful at the South end - there can be largeish rocks on the track which you may need to go around or even move. Has about 5 or 6 gates, from memory. Maybe a bit too far East for you though.

Generally anything up there is nice.

My current avatar was taken on the Causeway.

A689 is my road! The dale looks really beautiful at the moment.
Have fun!
Keep an eye out for me!

Thanks Pab, that sounds like a plan, yes MM will keep an eye out

Going to enjoy tomorrow...

Or today, is that the time 😴

MightyMildred wrote:

A689 is my road! The dale looks really beautiful at the moment.
Have fun!
Keep an eye out for me!

we have some good friends that live in Stanhope and we always look forward to that bit of the drive down also a quick trip up to the top of Crawley Side for some lovely views

Ghyllie oo! Shiney!
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08 Freelander 2 XS Santorini Black - Her Majesty's Toy.

Great drive, worth another visit when I have more time definately. Thank you pab for the heads up

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The rocky part was worse than it looks, careful decisions and HDC and not a scratch was made

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Good to see you using Florrie for what she was intended Taz....some good shots there as well. Did you get the chance to try out the Heated Steering Wheel whilst you were up there? It was cold enough!! Foraging near Gaydon....
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Great pics there, Paul. The red car really works well in shots like that. Pleased the weather was good too - the first time I went over there it was in thick fog and I couldn't see more than a few yards in front of me!

That rocky section is, as you say, worse than it looks but still straightforward if you're careful. Knowing you've done the Kielder safari a couple of times I was pretty sure you'd be OK with it!

Usually one can walk right around the reservoir at the North end, but for ages now the path along one side has been closed for some reason. One of these days I'll get to do it. (At the North end you can, by the way, turn off the Causeway through a field and come out at the Eastern end of the dam - that's all part of the UCR.)

Looks a nice drive out, might consider it myself  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Badger think we can move on now though

pab, yes, I noticed a couple of side roads, ventured down one to a gate, only 2-300 yards, didn't try the gate, that may be the route you mention, overlooking the reservoir.
Certainly I will go back when I have more time, damn phone never stopped today

Nick, certainly worth a drive up there, fancy a day off soon

Most of those side tracks aren't rights of way, so you need to be careful. The one to the dam just looks like a gate into a field, but there's a surfaced route through the field and out the other side onto the dam.

yes, I was mindful of that so stuck to the main route.
Here is the rocky part, I spent a couple of minutes looking for the path of least resistance and taking a few snaps.
The Continental tyres performed impeccably and also held their ground coming down the other side of hartshead later on with a spirited drive, brakes were stinking a little on reaching Penrith.

Yes I do fancy a day off, but can't this side of my trip to Wales for the WRC Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Hope you had a good time Taz.
Burnhope reservoir is one of my favourite places. You can have a really good gallop along the dam.
I'm most upset though that all the trees have been chopped down. Lots of locals were up in arms over this but all we got in return was that the trees have to be seen as a crop that needed to be harvested. Try telling that to the little red squirrels who are now homeless.

Gyhille- My old practice was in Stanhope. I really miss the dales folk. Even though I still live there, now I dont work in the dale, they are such a miss...
Its a lovely view from the top of Crawleyside...I'm not too keen coming down that way in the winter though!!