Waskerley Way

About the Site

For the most part, Waskerley Way follows the western part of the former Stanhope and Tyne Railway. It is nearly 10 miles long and rises from 230 metres above sea level at Lydgetts Junction to the west of Consett, to 440 metres at Weather Hill Engine north of Stanhope. It passes through a range of habitats from mixed deciduous woodland and conifer plantations to open heather moorland.

The walk starts at Lydgetts Junction, which is the intersection of the Waskerley Way, Lanchester Valley Railway Path, Derwent Valley Railway Path and the Consett-Sunderland cycle paths.

The first section passes through cuttings lined with birch woodland, then continues over Hownsgill Viaduct. This magnificent structure was built in 1857 by Sir Thomas Bouch of "Tay Bridge" fame. It is made of 2.5 million bricks and stands 46 metres (150 feet) high. Crossing the viaduct gives a good opportunity to see the top of the canopy of Knitsley and High House Woods.

The path continues across the A68 to Rowley Station Picnic Area. Between here and Whitehall the path cuts through mixed, deciduous woodland and livestock farmland. Much of the grassland is damp pasture, such as Rowley meadow just west of the picnic area on the right hand side of the track. Plants typically found here include great burnet, common spotted orchid, meadow-sweet, ragged robin, creeping soft-grass and a variety of sedges.

Between White Hall Picnic Area and Palmers Bridge, there are a series of cuttings and embankments lined with birch woodland and surrounded by livestock farmland. The land begins to open out into the uplands with the first signs of heather moorland. Here, the track becomes very exposed with few trees apart from broom, which is quite common.

This section of the line is also home to a variety of butterflies including common blue, meadow brown and small heath, the 5-spot burnet moth is also abundant.

As the path moves towards Red House Farm it continues to climb and there are good views over enclosed upland sheep farms to both sides. This locality holds typical upland bird species such as black grouse, ring ouzel, short-eared owl and hen harrier. It may also be possible to catch sight of merlin and red kite here.

Approaching Burnhill Junction, the track passes through a flooded cutting with marsh vegetation, such as the delicate marsh violet. The small reservoir here supports a number of breeding dragonfly.

Between here and Waskerley, there are conifer plantations to the north of the track and damp grassy meadows to the south, with sporadic heather and bilberry on the track sides. The route leaves Waskerley and passes onto the fell, grazed by sheep and grouse.

Surrounding land is heather clad with short grassland containing sheep’s fescue and eyebright.

The route passes through Hawkburn Head car park. It is possible to continue to Weatherhill and eventually the path will carry on to Crawleyside.

Between Hawkburn Head and Park Head Quarry, the track continues to be fairly level across a wide sweep of heather moorland, with views down to Waskerley Reservoir in the south. There are many streams and ditches crossing the path throughout this stretch.

Waskerley Way - Map

Location

To reach Lydgetts Junction, take the A692 from Consett towards Castleside, then turn left after Templetown.

To reach Hawkburn Head, take the road past Smiddy Shaw Reservoir towards Stanhope and turn left at Hawkburn, to the car park.

Facilities

There are car parks at Lydgetts Junction,Rowley Station, Rowley Station Picnic Area, Whitehall Picnic Area, and Hawkburn Head.
Tea rooms are at Park Head Quarry.

Enquiries

Countryside Group
Durham County Council
Environment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 3833594