The Roof of England Walk is described clockwise from Appleby-in-Westmorland, where there is a train station.
There are two other points on the route with easy access from train stations: Haltwhistle (1.5km, 20 minutes walk); and Kirkby Stephen (3km, 45 minutes walk).
You could also get a train to Hexham and follow Wainwright’s Pennine Journey route south (8.3km, 2 hours 40 minutes walk) to join the Roof of England Walk part way through Leg 5 (Allendale to Blanchland) near to Dukesfield Arches, southeast of the hamlet of Steel.
Using the heritage Weardale Railway (check https://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/ for service dates and times) it is possible to get from Bishop Auckland West station (a short walk from Bishop Auckland (Northern Rail) station) to Wolsingham (start of Leg 8) and Stanhope (start of Leg 9).
Other parts of the route are accessible by bus services, for example:
- Middleton-in-Teesdale (start of Leg 12) buses from Bishop Auckland Rail Station, via Barnard Castle
- Wolsingham (start of Leg 8), Stanhope (start of Leg 9), St. John’s Chapel (start of Leg 10) buses from Bishop Auckland Rail Station, via Crook
- Blanchland (start of Leg 6) and Edmundbyers (start of Leg 7) buses from Durham Rail Station, via Consett
- Alston (start of Leg 3) buses from Haltwhistle and Carlisle
Some services only run on certain days and may also be seasonal. Check the following websites for up-to-date details and travel advice:
- Traveline – https://www.traveline.info/
- Durham County Council – https://www.durham.gov.uk/busmap
- Northumberland County Council – https://beta.northumberland.gov.uk/public-transport/bus-travel
- Westmorland & Furness Council – https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/bus-services/find-bus
