Pittington Hill and Hallgarth Circular Walk
Start: Playing fields car park, Littletown.
Grid Reference: 340 433 OS Landranger Map No.88
Directions
From the car park, pass the old chapel and after the row of cottages, head towards the metal gates at the entrance to Coalford House Farm.Continue straight through several stiles in a northerly direction and join the track between the hedges. Turn right at the ‘T’ junction. After 200 metres turn left into a small plantation and cross a wooden bridge.
At the main road turn left and walk a few metres before crossing over by the road sign. A tarmac track and kissing gate lead to a path flanked by hawthorn scrub which takes you to the summit of Pittington Hill.
From the top of this limestone escarpment there is a panoramic view of Durham Cathedral, the Pennine Hills and Penshaw Monument. Most of the old limestone quarry behind you is colonised by grassland rich in wild flowers and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Follow the path and turn left to descend to Low Pittingon.
Continue through the village. Just before reaching the crossroads, turn left over a stile next to the Green Acres Stud. Continue in a southerly direction at the back of the stables where a field edge path takes you to High Pittington.
Turn right at the ‘Give Way’ sign and head towards Hallgarth Manor Hotel and Restaurant.
Turn left at the sign to St. Lawrence's Church and follow the track alongside the church wall to cross a stone bridge. When you reach the white cottages, go through a gate. Littletown Farm is on your right. Continue straight ahead along a bridleway which takes you to a grass field.
Walk uphill, aiming for the hedge on the left. You are following an ancient track buried in the turf, the kerbs half-buried in the grass.
Continue until you reach the road to return to your starting point.
Map
This walk is one of a series included in "Country Walks in County Durham" - see countryside publications
