Isaac's Tea Trail

Isaac's Tea Trail has been described by The Guardian as "England's last great wilderness trek."

Walk in the footsteps of the legendary tea seller Isaac Holden.  Discover hidden valleys and cross wild moors with stunning views across Northumberland and Cumbria.

Isaac's Tea Trail is a 36 mile (57km) circular route within the North Pennines National Landscape.  Isaac’s Tea Trail can be covered in four or more stages, depending on time available.  It is not intended as a challenge walk, but an experience to enjoy because of the variety of wildlife and the range of landscapes passed on the way. 

If you’re not able to walk each stage from start to finish, there are many alternative ways to see all of the walk.  You can complete short sections and return by the same route or find your own circular walk to see the Tea Trail and some of the other beautiful and spectacular scenery in the area. 

A moderate degree of fitness is required, reasonable navigation skills and clothing and footwear suitable for hill walking in potentially poor weather conditions. 

The trail links Alston with Allendale in Northumberland. The trail follows in the footsteps of Isaac Holden, an itinerant tea seller and local philanthropist of the 1800's. The countryside is one of stunning landscapes of river valleys and heather moors. 

Reminders from Isaac's times and even further back are never far away. The full route can be undertaken over a long weekend or more comfortably doing shorter sections and taking longer. 

More information on the walk is available on the Isaac's Tea Trail website.