Castleside to Lanchester - Way of Light
Departure from Healeyfield (County Durham)
This section of the Way of Light from rural Castleside to the pretty village of Lanchester passes through some of the rolling hilly landscapes of County Durham. The route first passes over the impressive Hownsgill Viaduct then follows the Lanchester Valley Path through farmland.
Derwent Reservoir
Departure from Edmondbyers (County Durham)
An easy ramble around Derwent Reservoir from Pow Hill Country Park to the Millstone Picnic area and back. Very easy walking, well signposted and with well maintained paths. Popular with day trippers, take a picnic.
Rowley to Waskerley Station - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Healeyfield (County Durham)
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.
Leadgate to Rowley - Durham Round Trail
Departure from County Durham
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.
Waskerley Station to Parkhead Station - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Muggleswick (County Durham)
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.
Blanchland to Edmundbyers - Way of Light
Departure from Blanchland (Northumberland)
The 4th section of the Way of Light passes through the North Pennines Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty, crossing from Northumberland into County Durham. The walk starts in the pretty village of Blanchland, crosses wild moorland sharing the route with a section of the Lead Mining Trail and finishes in the equally pretty village of Edmundbyers.
Annfield Plain to Leadgate - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Stanley (County Durham)
This 5th and short section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cycle route through villages and countryside. It can easily be combined with other sections on the route.
Around Slaley
Departure from Slaley (Northumberland)
Nice little circular walk on the edge of Slaley.
Parkhead Station to Rookhope - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
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.
Lanchester to Ushaw College - Way of Light
Departure from Lanchester (County Durham)
This 7th section of the Way of Light begins in the village of Lanchester and crosses farmland, passes nature reserves, the villages of Quebec and Esh Winning and finishes at the entrance to the impressive Ushaw College. This walk is across rolling green fields and passes many farms. It could also be called the walk of the many stiles, gates and cattle grids.
Dukesfield Arches to Blanchland
Departure from Slaley (Northumberland)
The 3rd section of the walk continues through Northumberland finishing on the border with County Durham. Start the walk by viewing the Dukesfield Arches, then continue to follow the Devil's Water to Slaley Forest. After visiting a quarry, continue to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty before finishing the walk in the pretty village of Blanchland.
Great North Forest Causey Arch to Beamish
Departure from Stanley (County Durham)
This walk begins at Causey Arch and ends at Beamish following woodland paths for the majority of the route with one small section across fields linking two historically important locations. Be sure to explore Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway before beginning the walk.
Letah Wood
Departure from Hexhamshire (Northumberland)
An easy stroll to a Woodland Trust property.
Dipton Burn
Departure from Hexhamshire (Northumberland)
Pleasant wooded walking in our local valley.
Ashes Quarry, Crawley Incline, and around the rim of Fatherley Plain
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
This is a nice circular walk which seems shorter than it is. The walk starts in Stanhope and explores Ashes Quarry before heading up to Crawleyside Incline, where the limestone from the quarry was taken on its journey to the Consett Iron Works. The walk then cuts away to pass beside Millstone Quarry and to the top of Collier Law, before descending around the rim of Fatherley Plain to Fatherley Hill Currick. The route then heads back to Stanhope via Shittlehope Edge and Burn.
Stanhope Dene and Stanhope Park
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
This is an interesting walk which starts in Stanhope and passes through the west end of the town to Stanhope Hall and then ascends the pleasant dene. After crossing the beck the path passes below old limestone quarries to the remans of the fluorspar plant before ascending to the Park Plantation and following the boundary wall of Stanhope Park, the return leg passes through pleasant farmland to the dene and back into Stanhope.
Tunstall Reservoir from Wolsingham
Departure from Wolsingham (County Durham)
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.
Rookhope to Westgate - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
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.
Hexham
Departure from Hexham (Northumberland)
Explore our historic local town and its surrounding countryside.
Hexham to Dukesfield Mill - Way of Light
Departure from Hexham (Northumberland)
The 2nd section of the walk leaves busy Hexham and follows the Devil's Water across open countryside to Dukesfield Arches.
Frosterley and Stanhope via the Quarries, lead mines and Edges
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
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.
Acomb, where South and North Tyne meet.
Departure from Acomb (Northumberland)
Nice easy walk containing disused railway tracks. It is ok for kids and doggies. Partly follows old rail tracks.
Heavenfield to Hexham - Way of Light
Departure from Wall (Northumberland)
The 1st stage of this trail is a beautiful walk in Northumberland. It starts at the small church of St Oswald near Hadrian's Wall and crosses open countryside, passes through the village of Acomb before winding its way through Hexham to Hexham Abbey. There is so much to learn about the history of Northumbria along this walk.
Westgate to Ireshopeburn - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Stanhope (County Durham)
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.
More walks in Shotley Low Quarter
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