West Auckland to Escomb, The Way of Life
Departure from West Auckland (County Durham)
The final section of the Gainford to Escomb section of The Way of Life continues across farmland and through small villages finishing at the ancient church in Escomb. A section of this walk follows the Etherley Incline, the route of the first passenger railway in the world. The last part of the walk shares a route with the Weardale Way.
Escomb to Bishop Auckland, The Way of Life
Departure from County Durham
This short walk from Escomb to Bishop Auckland follows the River Wear. It affords a great view of the Newton Cap Viaduct and allows plenty of time to explore Bishop Auckland.
Bishop Auckland Castle and Deer House
Departure from Bishop Auckland (County Durham)
A gentle walk through Auckland Park taking in the River Wear, River Gaunless, Walled Garden and Deer House.
Bishop Auckland to Binchester, The Way of Life
Departure from Bishop Auckland (County Durham)
This section of The Way of Life is relatively short to enable you to fully explore Bishop Auckland Castle Park and Binchester Roman Fort, a short diversion from the path.
Ingleton to West Auckland, The Way of Life
Departure from Ingleton (County Durham)
This section of the walk crosses farmland and follows country lanes starting in the village of Ingleton and finishing in West Auckland with its numerous interesting and historic buildings.
Binchester to Whitworth, The Way of Life
Departure from County Durham
This shorter section allows follows the Auckland Way for a time before crossing farmland to Whitworth Hall and Deer Park.
Weardale Way - Willington to Sunderland Bridge
Departure from Greater Willington (County Durham)
This section of the Weardale Way follows the loops of the River Wear. It is a tranquil place with many vistas of the river along the way ending at Sunderland Bridge.
Gainford to Ingleton - The Way of Life
Departure from Gainford (County Durham)
The start of this walk begins at the historic St Mary's Church on the banks of the River Tees in Gainford and passes through farmland and pretty villages finishing in Ingleton.
The Way of Life - Gainford to Durham
Departure from Gainford (County Durham)
The Way of Life is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and takes in the religious centre of Bishop Auckland with its castle and art galleries. The trail passes through many County Durham villages from the banks of the River Tees to the banks of the River Wear. Evidence of County Durham's religious and industrial past can be seen throughout the walk including the Etherley Incline, an early railway, Medieval Durham, Escomb Saxon Church and Binchester Roman Fort.
Whitworth to Sunderland Bridge, The Way of Life
Departure from Spennymoor (County Durham)
This section of the walk begins at Whitworth Hall Country Park with its deer, crosses farmland before passing through the pretty village of Tudhoe and then joins the Weardale Way for a short section before reaching the outskirts of Durham City.
Rushyford to Croxdale - Along the Great North Road
Departure from Chilton (County Durham)
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.
Winston to Piercebridge - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Winston (County Durham)
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.
Piercebridge to Low Coniscliffe - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Piercebridge (Darlington)
The 24th section of the route follows the Teesdale Way along the banks of the River Tees passing through villages along the way. The River Tees is very tranquil and picturesque here so there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the area.
Coatham Mundeville to Rushyford - Along the Great North Road
Departure from Coatham Mundeville (Darlington)
This 3rd section of the Along the Great North Road passes a number of inns both new and old along the route and takes in the pretty Aycliffe Village. The rest of the route follows the A167 but the path is surrounded by trees for most of the route and is therefore shaded in summer months.
Croxdale to Durham Along the Great North Road
Departure from Spennymoor (County Durham)
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.
Around the Western area of Darlington
Departure from Darlington
A walk suitable for all ages, good well preserved footpaths, nature reserve, museum on the route, watching trout jump the weir on the river Tess, good opportunities for pub food and cafe snacks.
Low Coniscliffe to Croft-on-Tees - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Darlington
The 25th section of the walk veers away from the River Tees today, crossing farmland and following bridle paths through the villages of Blackwell, Stapleton and ending at Croft-on-Tees.
West Darlington Circular
Departure from Darlington
A diverse walk crossing open fields, following burbling brooks and a beautiful section of the river Tees incorporating part of the Teesdale way.
Weardale Way - Sunderland Bridge to Durham City Centre
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
This walk is a little more challenging and includes some steep gradients but finishes with a more leisurely walk along the river banks in the city itself finishing at Brown's Boat House next to Elvet Bridge. Along the way the route passes several farms, Croxdale Hall with its Chapel and Shincliffe Hall. These are closed to the public but make good route points.
Sunderland Bridge to Durham Cathedral - The Way of Life
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
This walk largely follows the River Browney and then the River Wear passing through managed woodland around the outskirts of Durham City before passing the university and St Oswald's Church before rejoining the banks of the River Wear finishing with a walk along the South Bailey to Durham Cathedral.
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.
Darlington to Coatham Mundeville Along the Great North Road
Departure from Darlington
This 2nd section starts in Darlington town centre and follows the route out of town up North Road past the historic Skerne Bridge and Stockton and Darlington Railway development at Hopetown to the village of Coatham Mundeville. Look out for evidence of the history of this railway town during the walk.
Greta Bridge to Winston - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Rokeby (County Durham)
This walk follows the River Greta and River Tees, taking in some beautiful countryside, ancient bridges and river view.
River Greta Circular
Departure from Brignall (County Durham)
A picturesque walk along the river Greta, abounds with history and nature.
Bearpark
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
On the western outskirts of Durham. Good pathways through a mixture of the farming and industrial landscape.
Colleges of Durham
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk follows some of the oldest and most historic streets in the city and passes all 17 Durham University Colleges as well as its visitor attractions. Throughout the walk are many visitas of the castle, cathedral and River Wear.
Durham Loop
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk takes in the main visitor attractions in Durham, starting from the Howlands Park and Ride, visiting the Oriental Museum, Botanical Gardens, Castle, Cathedral and Market Place. There are some steep hills, but a bus can be caught from Elvet back to the Park and Ride.
Durham University Loop
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This short walk around the university showcases the best the campus has to offer. It is suitable for a lunchtime walk for staff and students, and for a longer walk taking in the Botanical Gardens and Oriental Museum. The walk is accessible, but be ready for a steep climb through the Botanical Gardens.
St Oswald's and River Bank Loop, Durham
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
A short walk along the River Wear taking in St Oswald's Church, Prebends Bridge and the Count's House. This walk provides views of Durham Cathedral and the Fulling Mill on the peninsula and passes the one remaining gate in the city walls.
Durham City Centre to Finchale Priory - Durham Round Trail
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This 1rst section of the Durham Round Trail, around Durham area, is easy to access allowing interesting heritage discoveries. Starting at the Cathedral, the trail follows the River Wear around the peninsula before leaving the city climbing to Brasside and finishing at Finchale Priory.
Durham riverbank via Maiden Castle
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This short, relatively flat walk loops around the River Wear from the Boathouse to Maiden Castle and back along the other side of the river giving views of the castle and cathedral and plenty of places for a picnic. This walk is wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
Durham to Chester Moor Along the Great North Road
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
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.
Durham riverbank via Peninsula
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This loop will take you around the peninsula giving great views of Durham Castle, Cathedral and the River Wear. This relatively flat and therefore suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Views of Durham
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk starts in Durham City Centre, but takes a more unusual path around the city affording views of the castle and cathedral from several view points. The walk descends from the Market Place to the river bank and then passes the law courts and prison, Durham University, Durham School, then passes the listed buildings on South Street before returning to the start via the new Riverwalk Development.
Croft-on-Tees to Girsby - Durham Round Trail
Departure from Croft-on-Tees (North Yorkshire)
The 26th section of the walk continues through beautiful countryside and the pretty villages of Croft-on-Tees, Hurworth, Neasham and Girsby giving occasional glimpses of the River Tees.
Croft-on Tees to Darlington Along the Great North Road
Departure from Hurworth (Darlington)
Starting in the pretty village of Croft-on-Tees, the first section of the walk follows the route of the Great North Road through countryside and into the heart of Darlington, once a busy market town with many street names indicating the history of the town ending at the impressive clock tower above the market hall.
Along the Great North Road (County Durham)
Departure from Hurworth (Darlington)
The Great North Road ran from London in the south to Edinburgh in the north. This was once a coaching route, but in later years this has been replaced by the A1 which sadly bypasses many of the pretty villages and towns along the route. This trail traces the route from Croft-on-Tees in the south on the border of North Yorkshire and County Durham to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There are still remnants of that bygone age to be seen on this historical journey.
More walks in West Auckland
Discover also walks in surrounding cities:
- Evenwood and Barony
- Ferryhill
- Forcett
- Gainford
- Great Aycliffe
- Greater Willington
- Hamsterley
- Headlam
- Hedleyhope
- Heighington
- High Coniscliffe
- Hilton
- Houghton Le Side
- Hurworth
- Hutton Magna
- Ingleton
- Killerby
- Langleydale and Shotton
- Langton
- LCPs of Brancepeth and Brandon and Byshottles
- LCPs of Hamsterley, Lynesack and Softley, and South Bedburn
- Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent
- Lynesack and Softley
- Manfield
- Middridge
- Morton Tinmouth
- Newton Morrell
- Ovington
- Piercebridge
- Raby with Keverstone
- Rokeby
- Satley
- Shildon
- South Bedburn
- Spennymoor
- Staindrop
- Stanwick St. John
- Stapleton
- Streatlam and Stainton
- Summerhouse
- Tow Law
- Wackerfield
- Walworth
- West Layton
- Westwick
- Whessoe
- Whorlton
- Windlestone
- Winston
- Witton-le-Wear
- Wolsingham
- Wycliffe with Thorpe