County Durham walks

This North Pennine walk inlcudes Harter Fell and Grassholme Reservoir and a section of the Pennine Way. The start is Middleton-in-Teesdale and the walk includes a variety of scenery. Descending into the Lune Valley the walk continues alongside Grassholme Reservoir before using a section of old railway track back to the start.

A short and enjoyable walk from Bowes Museum to Egglestone Abbey, following the River Tees. At the time of writing (July 21) Bowes Museum is still operating a time ticket entry. If you time your visit correctly you can combine a visit to the museum followed by the walk or vice versa. Please note the gates to the museum close at 5:00. If you think you will arrive back later then park your car outside the museum grounds.

The full tour of Castle Eden Dene taking in all the best parts with varied and interesting scenery:- Old buildings, open country, ancient woodland, the North East coastline, a magnesium limestone dene with its craggy outcrops, a meandering river and steep-sided gorge. There is a multitude of flora and fauna; if you are quiet you may see squirrels and/or deer. Starts and finished near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food.

A lovely circular walk with a variety of interest. From the popular waterfall of High Force through upland pasture and then the more desolate upland landscape of Thistle Green before descending to the River Tees and following its course with a final leg through farmland.

Easy and circular walk around High and Low Force Waterfalls.

A walk with lovely views in this beautiful peaceful dale following Hudeshope Beck up past the old lime kilns, over the miners bridge, through the wood and fields to Coldberry mine, then back down the beck on the other side.

This is a fairly undemanding walk through a wild North Pennine landscape. The route visits two outstanding natural features - High Cup Nick and Cauldron Snout - using a section of the Pennine Way. There are no route finding issues even in poor visibility.

A pleasant circular walk starting and finishing at Eggleston Hall Nursery and Cafe. It follows the Teesdale Way on the north side of the River Tees and crosses the river via a footbridge north of Cotherstone village. It then heads back on the opposite side of the river to pass through the delightful village of Romaldkirk before the final leg back to Eggleston Hall. (It can also be started from Romaldkirk or Cotherstone)

A picturesque walk along the river Greta, abounds with history and nature.

Nice and circular walk passing by Hudeshope Beck & Aukside.

This Durham walk explores the area made famous by Hannah Hauxwell. The landscape is wild and never boring and this walk uses the Pennine Way for exploration.

A lovely circular walk around Cronkley Scar via High Force.

Circular walk around Holwick, Low Force and Gibson's Cave.

A varied and interesting circular walk from Castle Eden. It starts and finishes near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food. Explore the lesser known denes that lie to the south of the village via the disused railway which is now a bridle path and part of the national cycle network. Traverse the coastal path north before dropping to the beach and then heading back via the better known Castle Eden Dene.

This section of the England Coast Path begins at the popular holiday park at Crimdon and follows a more urban route to the historic Hartlepool Headland finishing at the old town walls.

This Tees circular walk from Bowlees takes in the spectacular scenery of Teesdale, Low Force, the Iconic view of High Force, the geographically famous Holwick Scars and views of the Royal residency at Holwick Lodge.

An easy circular walk around the historic Lambton Estate.

A short and relatively easy walk which explores the lesser known Durham Denes that lie to the south of Castle Eden Dene.

A circular walk from Bowlees. Following the river Tees downstream to Middleton-in Teesdale before climbing out through open moorland via the mysterious corpse of ancient Kircarrion, with wonderful views over Lunedale before descending the dramatic Holwick scar back to base.

On the western outskirts of Durham. Good pathways through a mixture of the farming and industrial landscape.

Circular walk passing by High Hurth Edge and the Upper Tees Valley.

A walk in the North Pennines using a section of disused railway, moorland paths and tracks. The route traverses scenery typical of the area with some views across Teesdale also to be enjoyed.

An interesting walk which allows you to explore and appreciate the industrial history of Weardale. You will pass beside old limestone quarries, the remains of a lead mine, lime kilns and climb up to the edges either side of the valley. An optional mid-way stop at the Durham Dales Visitor Centre is a good place of a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Mostly well signposted and following waymarked trails.

A lovely circular walk starting from Wolsingham village. It passes through farmland on good tracks and paths up to Tunstall Reservoir. After walking around the reservoir the route returns at a higher level through pastures before descending back to the village. Interesting scenery, great views and mostly well marked with yellow arrows.

This is a short but interesting walk around Hawthorn Dene. In early spring look out for the carpets of snowdrops in the woods, later there will be wild garlic and bluebells.

The 7th section of the Along the Great North Road walk begins at the Chester Moor pub and then becomes an urban walk through small towns and past industrial developments. Throughout the walk you will see evidence of the route of the Great North Road through buildings and pubs, and also of the industrial history of the area. The route closely follows the East Coast Mainline so do look out for the Chester-le-Street viaduct which is an impressive structure.

The 6th section of the Great North Road walk begins in Durham, allowing plenty of time to explore the city, then follows one of the newer roads in Durham to the outskirts, passing through Framwellgate Moor before picking up the A167 again. The route continues through the countryside passing through the village of Plawsworth before ending at Chester Moor.

This 5th section of the Along the Great North Road, from Croxdale, starts in open countryside, then crosses the old Sunderland Bridge which once carried the Great North Road across the River Wear. The route then passes the landmark Cock o' the North roundabout, then follows South Road past the modern university buildings down New Elvet into the heart of Durham City finishing in the historic Market Place.

The 4th section of the Along the Great North Road walk joins two former coaching inns and roughly follows the modern day A167 through countryside, diverting into the former mining communities of Ferryhill and Chilton. Along the way is evidence of the old coaching route if you look out for it.

This walk will take you through the history and development of the districts to the west of Durham City. Starting at the modern developments on the river bank, past the medieval Kepier Hospital, through post-war housing developments to one of the older streets in Durham and finally past the ruins of a 13th Century chapel.

The 32nd section of the walk connects with the Castle Eden Walkway and the Hart to Haswell Walkway. A short section passes through the village of Station Town before descending to Hope Heads Dene. There are many denes along the Durham coast, these are steepsided valleys, usually with a stream at the bottom. After passing through the village of Castle Eden, the route then follows a well-made cycle path. An alternative, accessible route, has been given in the description.

This is the 31st of the Durham Round Trail which follows the Castle Eden Walkway (Cycle Path 1) from Wynyard Village to Station Town passing through agricultural land and affording good views of Hurworth Burn Reservoir. This section of the walk is accessible.

The 23rd section follows the banks of the River Tees from Winston through the pretty village of Gainford which is well worth a stop, then continues to the ancient settlement of Piercebridge with its Roman fort and bridge.

This walk follows the River Greta and River Tees, taking in some beautiful countryside, ancient bridges and river view.

The 21st section of the route continues to follow the River Greta from Rutherford Bridge through picturesque countryside to the pretty village of Greta Bridge.

The 20th section of the trail continues from the village of Bowes through the Greta Valley, following the River Greta to Rutherford Bridge and the waterfalls.

The 19th section of the walk starts from the naturally formed God's Bridge to the ancient ruins of Bowes Castle, this route follows the banks of the River Greta through open farmland.

The 18th section of the walk begins in Hannah's Meadow, made famous in the documentary about Hannah Hauxwell who lived alone at a farm here. The route drops down and passes Balderhead and Blackton Reservoirs before climbing Cotherstone Moor finishing at the Roman Road.

The 17th section of the Durham Round Trail walk begins to the north of Selset Reservoir, then continues across the Pennines following the Pennine Way towards Balsdersdale Reservoir. Views of the numerous reservoirs can be seen throughout the walk.

The 16th section of the Durham Round Trail begins in Bowlees, crosses the Tees once more, and then crosses moorland to the first of several reservoirs in the area. This section includes a climb for the first half of the walk which is rewarded with stunning views across the Pennines.

The 15th section of the Durham Round Trail follows the River Tees downstream past the stunning High Force waterfall to the visitor centre in Bowlees. This is one of the most picturesque stretches of the River Tees as it passes through County Durham.

The 13th section of the Durham Round Trail is short and can easily be added to the previous section. The section starts with a walk down through fields which affords good views of the surrounding land. The route then climbs again across farmland and moorland until it reaches Cow Green Reservoir.

The 14th section of the walk begins at Cow Green Reservoir and passes the impressive Cauldron's Snout before joining the Teesdale Way for a while along the banks of the River Tees

The 12th section of the Durham Round Trail is one of the more challenging. Leaving the village of Ireshope burn behind begin the long climb up to the grouse moors. This is probably the wildest, most desolate section of the trail, but is still beautiful and well worth the effort.
⚠️A part of the route goes straight through grouse moorland so it may be closed during shooting season. An alternative route is available.

The 11th section of the walk follows a ridge above the River Wear affording stunning views down to the villages and river in the valley below. This walk is covers a relatively short section but can be extended by returning to Westgate via one of the alternative routes which allows exploration of the route or by joining with other sections of the route. There are a number of attractions in the area so this may be a good place to use as a base for a few days.

The 10th section of the Durham Round Trail links the pretty villages of Rookhope and Westgate. Leaving the coast to coast cycle route, the trail follows a section of the Weardale Way along the route of the Rookhope and Middlehope Railway as it winds its way through the Pennines to the banks of the River Wear.

The 9th section of the Durham Round Trail continues deep into the Pennines. This area was well known for lead mining and there is evidence of this along the trail. This part of the trail initially follows a ridge gradually uphill, giving amazing views across the Pennines. This showcases County Durham at its wildest. The final section of the walk drops steeply down to the pretty village of Rookhope.

This 8th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues on the Waskerley Way/C2C Cycle Route and gives views across the moorland towards Waskerley Reservoir.

This is the 6th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. Continuing to follow the C2C cycle path, the first half of the walk is through urban landscapes, passing through Consett and then into open countryside, following the Saints' Trail the Way of Light to Rowley Station Picnic Area. Rowley Station itself is now in Beamish Museum.

This is the 7th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. County Durham is well-known for its towns including Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle as well as Durham City, however today's walk leaves behind the urban areas and heads out into the open countryside. This and the next few sections showcase the wilder side of County Durham. The section continues to follow the C2C cycle path/Waskerley Way and has a number of picnic spots along the way.