I moved to North East England less than a year ago (Gateshead).
My favorite starting place so far seems to be Bardon Mill (halfway between Hexham and Haltwhistle). I like the Kielder and Cheviot areas as well, however, one major (gigantic) limitation is that I don't have a car - pretty major handicap in Northumberland since just about every nice place is almost impossible to reach unless you either make it a multi-day walk or limit yourself to walks where both beginning and end are reachable with public transportation.
I'd be really glad if anyone can share some ideas for 1-day walks in the (wider) area that are easy to do without a car. At the moment, most walks I can think of end at the Carlisle-Newcastle railway, since there one can grab a train back to Newcastle until late evening.
It's unfortunate that Kielder is not really an option, since the last bus from there leaves way too early to be considered useful by me - at 17:30. I prefer to at least have the option to return at a later time, in case I encounter any unforeseen delays.
|
 |
 Sorry cannot help directly but maybe go along to the monthly meet of these guys? Northumbria Backpackers Ross is a member of this forum.
|
|
 As someone else who doesn't have a car... I've always found it very easy to get around the North East, and a damn sight easier to get around than some other parts of the country. There might be quite a variance in the level of service between Co Durham and Northumberland, but all you need to do is arm yourself with the available timetables, then choose routes that tie in with the available services. I researched the whole of my Walking in County Durham guidebook using public transport, and it was a doddle. I did the same with my Reivers Way guidebook, covering the route once in summer and once in winter without noticing much variance in the level of service. In January this year I had no problem getting to and from places such as Byrness, Bellingham and Keilder. Living in Gateshead, you should have access to pretty much everything that moves in the North East, from early until late. I'd suggest popping in to the bus station in Newcastle and ransacking their racks of bus timetables, and I think you'd be amazed at how many place you could reach.
|
|
 Well the NYork Moors/Coast should certainly be possible - Thornaby/Northallerton is 45 minutes and Thirsk only an hour. You'd ideally need buses to get further in from there I guess, but think there should be some. If need be, badly suptimal that it is, could run through to York and get them from there  Also Carlisle <-> Newcastle has some nice day walks on it, not just the wall. Cold fell and Geltsdale for instance. The gelt woods near Bampton station are lovely in Spring. Berwick on Tweed only 45 minutes by train, or even Edinburgh into the Pentlands?! The Lakes possible if happy with a fair bit of travel - either buses direct from Carlisle or train round to Penrith then in that way. The central dales is quite a trip, but worth considering running up/down the Settle/Carlisle line. Appelby gets you High Cup, Kirkby Stephen some very nice moorland etc. About 3 hours each way mind. Transport direct reckons you can get to Middleton in Teesdale in two and half hours (Darlington then buses.). Very nice walks. Probably Barnards Castle that way too, for walks by the river etc. Long journeys a little annoying at times, but since all you're doing is sitting around take a book or two or something and no problem.
|
|
 Sorry cannot help directly but maybe go along to the monthly meet of these guys? Northumbria Backpackers Ross is a member of this forum.
He is! But rarely attends the monthly meets.
|
|
|
|
| Edited: 10/02/12 18:11 |
And of course there's always hitch-hiking. Not necessarily all the way to and from wherever you want to walk, but hitch-hiking just to get beyond wherever the bus or train goes, and to get back to a bus stop or railway station afterwards. Did it myself only yesterday... and the first car stopped... saving me waiting two hours for a bus.
|
|
 Hrm, was looking at the Moors, a Moors station like Great Ayton is ~2hrs or so, bit of a late start perhaps. Looks like it may be further than I thought. EDIT: Typos galore
|
| Edited: 21/02/12 14:11 |
 Ross doesn't attend as regularly as in the past because he has moved! But we see him from time to time. However I suggest a trip to the central library will put you in touch with a couple of groups locally who arrange transport both weekends and mid-week to the Cheviot/Lakes/Pennines for day walks.
|
| Edited: 21/02/12 15:53 |
Day walks, pah! 
|
|
 PM me if you fancy a weekend backpacking on the North yorkshire moors?
|
|
 I live in Gateshead a good group to try is http://www.civicwalker.org.uk/ It is open to anyone.75% of the walks are in the Lakes ( travel by minibus) They also have weekends in the Lakes.
|
|
Against the rules not to wear boots though!
|
|
Well I must break the rules all the time.Must do the same with the ramblers come to think. usually either Flyrocs,Montrail,Salomon or currently Scarpa. Boots Pah.Day walks brill.
|
|
Boots Shoes. Each to there own as long as they sup life by the gallon 
|
|
Actually, once winter is out the way I'll be regularly out for day walks. I prefer the flexibilty of coming/going as I please with regard area, route, times, cafe's so tend to go on my own/ with lad or with one of my regualr backpacking buddies. There will be the occassional backpacking trip in the summer but I prefer to do them October to April.
|
|
.jpg)
