We have a number of publications about walking and access to Durham's countryside. These can be downloaded free of charge.
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Downloadable publications
'Country Durham' guided walks and countryside events
A six monthly programme of guided walks and countryside events led by local experts. No advance booking. Pay on arrival, £2.50 per person (under 5s free). Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children under the age of 12) - £7.50. Telephone 0191 383 4144 or go to Countryside events and guided walks
Countryside sites
A guide to Durham County Council's Country Parks, Picnic Areas, Local Nature Reserves and Railway Paths:
Countryside Sites map.pdf (2 pages, 795kb)
Railway Paths - Visitor Charter
A guide for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders:
Railway Paths Visitor Charter.pdf (1 page, 225kb)
Public Rights of Way
Guide for Landowners and Occupiers:
A Guide for Landowners and Occupiers.pdf (2 pages, 600kb)
Cowshill to Killhope, an extension to the Weardale Way
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Cowshill to Killhope, an extension of the Weardale Way.pdf (2 pages, 494kb)
Escomb, Witton Park and Etherley, steam, coal and countryside
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Escomb, Etherley and Witton Park. In the series of leaflets promoting circular walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Escomb, Witton Park and Etherley: steam, coal and countryside.pdf (3 pages, 787kb)
Frosterley, in search of Frosterley Marble
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Frosterley; in search of Frosterley Marble.pdf (4 pages, 659kb)
Rookhope Fields and Fells
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes two circular walks around the Rookhope area:
Rookhope Fields and Fells.pdf (3 pages, 5700kb)
St John's Chapel farming, mining and Methodism
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Ireshopeburn, St John's Chapel and Daddry Shield:
St John's Chapel; farming, mining and Methodism.pdf (9 pages, 2773kb)
Stanhope, exploring a legacy of lead
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Stanhope, exploring a legacy of lead.pdf (4 pages, 966kb)
Tow Law, Thornley and Harperley
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Tow Law, Thornley. In the series of leaflets promoting circular walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Tow Law, Thornley and Harperley.pdf (2 pages, 456kb)
Wearhead, the River Wear starts here
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Wearhead: the river Wear starts here.pdf (3 pages, 759kb)
Walking around Wolsingham
Produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way:
Walking around Wolsingham.pdf (4 pages, 827kb)
The Weardale Way
A series of free down-loadable pdf format maps of the Weardale way in County Durham are available via our Weardale Way page
Open Access in the North Pennines
General information about Open Access in the North Pennines area with five suggested walks:
Open Access in the North Pennines.pdf (2 pages, 1709kb)
Discover Open Country in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NPAONB)
General information about the NPAONB and Open Access related issues in the North Pennines area with six suggested walks:
Discover open country in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.pdf (2 pages, 828kb)
More information
For more countryside information, please click on one of the links below:
Visiting Durham's Countryside and Coast
Countryside volunteering
Countryside events and guided walks
Surveys for protected species and other wildlife
Environmental Education
Hardwick Park
Public Rights of Way