natural environment of alston...
Alston Moor is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Geologically, Alston Moor is an upland plateau surrounded by high fells. Deep below the surface a massive igneous intrusion uplifted the whole area. Hot mineral-rich waters percolated through cracks and faults in the overlying sedimentary rocks and cooled to form the sought-after veins of lead, silver, zinc, fluorspar and barytes. Geological processes also created the spectacular waterfalls, and other unusual features such as sugar limestone outcrops and the Great Whin Sill. Peat bogs and heather moorland are the dominant habitats with rare Alpine flowers providing a splash of colour in early summer. Many plant species are metallophytes which are tolerant of heavy metals such as lead and zinc. Moorland birds such as red grouse, curlew, lapwing and meadow pipit are prevalent, and you may catch a glimpse of the rarer black grouse, merlin or short-eared owl. Alston Moor is also one of last preserves of the elusive water vole.
Moor House National Nature Reserve
Extending over the backbone of the Pennines this is one of England's largest nature reserves with a diverse range of upland habitats from hay meadows, rough grazing and juniper wood to limestone grassland, blanket bogs and summit heaths. Of special interest are the rare alpine plants such as yellow marsh saxifrage and spring gentian that colonised this area after the last Ice Age. Although the scenery can be enjoyed all year round, the best time to see the alpine flora and the breeding birds is between April and July. A nature trail can be followed from Widdybank Fell.
Waterfalls
The Nent and South Tyne rivers and their tributaries descend in a series of waterfalls from their source high on Alston Moor. The most impressive is Ashgill Force, which plunges 50 ft (15 m) over a hard ledge into a deep pool; it's also possible to stand behind the waterfall. Other falls are at Gossipgate (the name refers to the many ‘tongues' of water that spout over the rock sill), Skelgill and Thortergill (the latter is only accessible from Thortergill Forge).
Viewpoints
A summit viewpoint at Hartside provides stunning views over the Eden Valley and across to the Lakeland Fells.
