Railway Paths
Durham County Council's network of Railway Paths provide an ideal way to explore Durham's countryside. The paths are easily accessible and are set in attractive countryside. Pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders are welcome.
This railway path starts from Whitworth Road car park, just north of Spennymoor. It passes through countryside which was once part of the Bishop's Park. The route ends at Canney Hill, approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) from Bishop Auckland.
The path begins at Broompark Picnic Area. It passes through the villages of Brandon, Brancepeth and Willington before reaching it's end at the Newton Cap Viaduct, near Bishop Auckland.
The Deerness Valley Railway Path starts at Broompark Picnic Area and passes through the villages of Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning. County Council ownership terminates on meeting the B6299 near Stanley Crook. A further section links to the B6298 on the outskirts of Crook.
This path runs from Lydgetts Junction (near Consett) to the Swalwell Visitor Centre. However, Durham County Council's ownership stops at Rowlands Gill, 2 km short of the Visitor Centre. The route shadows the River Derwent passing through the villages of Shotley Bridge, Ebchester and Rowlands Gill.
See Lanchester Valley Railway Path and Lanchester Valley Railway Path Wildlife.
A 10 km long path set in the attractive countryside of Teesdale. The path starts near the village of Lonton, passing through or nearby Mickleton, Romaldkirk, Cotherstone and ends near Lartington. The railway was a remnant of a scheme for a line from Barnard Castle to Alston. It was opened in 1868 by an independent company and was taken over by the North Eastern Railway in 1882.
The path starts at Lydgetts Junction where it meets three other railway paths (Lanchester Valley, Derwent Valley and the Consett-Sunderland Railway Paths). The Waskerley Way mainly follows the western part of the former Stanhope and Tyne railway. It was built in 1834 to carry limestone, lead and iron from Weardale and coal from Medomsley to the River Tyne.
Enquiries: Tel: 0191 383 3594
Auckland Way
Length - 7 km (4.5 miles)This railway path starts from Whitworth Road car park, just north of Spennymoor. It passes through countryside which was once part of the Bishop's Park. The route ends at Canney Hill, approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) from Bishop Auckland.
Brandon / Bishop Auckland Railway Path
Length - 15 km (9.5 miles)The path begins at Broompark Picnic Area. It passes through the villages of Brandon, Brancepeth and Willington before reaching it's end at the Newton Cap Viaduct, near Bishop Auckland.
Deerness Valley Railway Path
Length - 13 km (8 miles)The Deerness Valley Railway Path starts at Broompark Picnic Area and passes through the villages of Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning. County Council ownership terminates on meeting the B6299 near Stanley Crook. A further section links to the B6298 on the outskirts of Crook.
Derwent Valley Railway Path
Length - 17 km (10.5 miles)This path runs from Lydgetts Junction (near Consett) to the Swalwell Visitor Centre. However, Durham County Council's ownership stops at Rowlands Gill, 2 km short of the Visitor Centre. The route shadows the River Derwent passing through the villages of Shotley Bridge, Ebchester and Rowlands Gill.
Kelloe Mineral Line
The Kelloe Mineral line starts at a point between Quarrington Hill and Church Kelloe. Then heads west through Kelloe and alongside Kelloe Beck.Lanchester Valley Railway Path
Length - 19 km (12 miles)See Lanchester Valley Railway Path and Lanchester Valley Railway Path Wildlife.
Raisby Way
Starts west of Trimdon Grange and leads towards Raisby Quarry. The Raisby Way includes areas of Magnesian Limestone grassland, which is home to a wide variety butterflies: see Nature Conservation Sites.Tees Valley Railway Path
Length - 10 km (6 miles)A 10 km long path set in the attractive countryside of Teesdale. The path starts near the village of Lonton, passing through or nearby Mickleton, Romaldkirk, Cotherstone and ends near Lartington. The railway was a remnant of a scheme for a line from Barnard Castle to Alston. It was opened in 1868 by an independent company and was taken over by the North Eastern Railway in 1882.
Waskerley Way
Length - 10.5 km (6.5 miles)The path starts at Lydgetts Junction where it meets three other railway paths (Lanchester Valley, Derwent Valley and the Consett-Sunderland Railway Paths). The Waskerley Way mainly follows the western part of the former Stanhope and Tyne railway. It was built in 1834 to carry limestone, lead and iron from Weardale and coal from Medomsley to the River Tyne.
Enquiries: Tel: 0191 383 3594
