Guided walks

Walks difficulty key 

Easy walk: Walks suitable for most levels of fitness. Good paths, relatively flat, possibly a few stiles. Suitable shoes needed.

Moderate walk: Walks suitable for people with reasonable levels of fitness. Covering uneven ground; streams; inclines and stiles. Boots essential.

Difficult walk: Requires a good level of fitness. Walks through some rough moorland with steep or strenuous climbs. Boots essential.

Very difficult walk: Requires a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience. stiles and steep and strenuous climbs on rough and variable track surfaces. Strong boots essential.

June

Friday 12 June

Through Fallow Fields to South Hetton and Haswell (New)

10.00am (4.5hrs) 9 miles, moderate, Dave Drinkwater

Start: Littletown village green, off Coalford Lane, Littletown. DH6 1PY. GR NZ 339434. OS map Ex308.

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 13 June

Coast and Country

10.00am (6hrs) 11.5 miles, moderate, David Mitchell

Start: Tonia's café, Seaham Hall Beach Car Park (opposite Seaham Hall Hotel), North Road, Seaham. SR7 7AG. GR NZ 421508. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.                                 

Lunch, cost

Wednesday 17 June

Burnhope Reservoir and Daddry Shield

10.00am (5.5hrs) 10.5 miles, very difficult, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Car park by Cattle Market, St Johns Chapel off A689. DL13 1QF. GR NY 886379. OS map Ex0L31.

Lunch, cost

Saturday 20 June

Dead Friars Walk on Stanhope Common- (Includes crossing Stanhope Beck) (New)

10.00am (7hrs)15.5 miles, very difficult, Jo Davies

Start: Lay-by near Rookhope Arch, on the Rookhope to Allenheads road. DL13 2DE. GR NY 924430. OS maps Ex307, Ex OL31.

Lunch, cost

Wednesday 24 June    

Crime and Punishment in Durham 

6.30pm (2.5hrs) 3 miles, easy, David Butler

Start: Londonderry statue, Durham City Market Place. DH1 3NJ. GR NZ 274426. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.  

Local history, cost

Friday 26 June

A Visit to the Monk's Retreat

10.30am (4hrs) 6.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Broompark Picnic Area, half mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor. DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.    

Local history, lunch, cost

Sunday 28 June

Botanical treasures of the Magnesian Limestone between Easington and Hawthorn Dene.

11.00am (5.5hrs) 6 miles, moderate, John Burgess

Start: Easington Colliery Car Park, Easington Colliery. SR8 3RU.

GR NZ 439440. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.

Local history, geology, lunch, cost

Tuesday 30 June

Wolsingham and Tunstall Reservoir

11.00am (4.5hrs) 8 miles, moderate, David and Fiona Eltringham

Start: Demesne Mill Picnic Area, Uppertown, Wolsingham, B6296. DL13 3DB. GR NZ 075375. OS maps ExOL31, Lr92. 

Local history, lunch, cost

July

Wednesday 1 July

Baybridge - Harwood Shield

10.00am (6hrs) 10.5 miles, difficult, Jo Davies

Start: Baybridge Picnic Area, half mile west of Blanchland. DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS maps Ex307, Ex OL43.

Local history, lunch, cost

Friday 3 July

Brian's Browney Points: Hurbuck to Lanchester

10.30am (4.5hrs) 7.5 miles, easy, Jo Davies

Start: Lay-by at Hurbuck Cottages, signposted from A691 near Lanchester. DH7 0RJ. GR NZ 133485. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 4 July

St John's Circular

10.00am, (5.5hrs), 10 miles, difficult, Steve Shippen

Start: Car park by Cattle Market, St. John's Chapel, off A689. DL13 1QF. GR NY 886379. OS maps ExOL31, Lr92.

Lunch, cost

Wednesday 8 July

'Half church of God, half castle 'gainst the Scot': Durham City's defences

6.30pm, (2hrs), 2 miles, easy, David Butler

Start: Outside Castle Gateway, Palace Green, Durham City. DH1 3RN. GR NZ 273423. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.

Local history, cost

Friday 10 July

To Hett and a Nissen Hut

10.00am, (4.5hrs), 8 miles, moderate,  Brian Lander

Start: Sunderland Bridge, old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300. DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS maps Ex305, Lr93.

Local history, nature, lunch, cost

Saturday 11 July

Another Way to Tunstall

10.00am (5hrs) 10 miles, difficult, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Demesne Mill Picnic Area, Uppertown, Wolsingham, B6296. DL13 3DB. GR NZ 075375. OS maps ExOL31, Lr92.         

Lunch, cost

Friday 17 July

Hownsgill Viaduct and Shotley Grove (New)

10.30am (4hrs) 7 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Allensford Picnic Area, west car park, off A68 north of Castleside. DH8 9BA. GR NZ 077502. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 18 July

Nabb Bridge and the Pennine Way

10.00am (8hrs) 15 miles, difficult, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Bowes Village Car Park. DL12 9HR. GR NY 996134. OS map ExOL31.

Lunch, cost

Sunday 19 July

The Red Vein

11.00am (5.5hrs) 7 miles, difficult. John Burgess

Start: Fossil Tree, Stanhope Market Place. DL13 2UJ. GR NY 996391. OS maps Ex307, Lr92.

Local history, nature, geology, lunch, cost

Tuesday 21 July 

Tow Law and Thornley

11.00am (4.5hrs) 8 miles, moderate, David and Fiona Eltringham

Start: lay-by on B6297, just west of junction with A68, Tow Law.

DL13 4ED. GR NZ 116386. OS maps Ex307, Lr92.

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 22 July

Three in One

10.00am (5hrs) 9.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area Car Park, Ebchester, off the B6309. DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Local History, lunch, cost

Friday 24 July

To Witton Gilbert

10.00am (5hrs) 10 miles, moderate, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Deerness Valley Picnic Area, between Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning, off B6302. DH7 7PP. GR NZ 218428. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.

Lunch, cost

Saturday 25 July

Two Retreats

10.00am, (6hrs) 11.5 miles, moderate, Brian Lander

Start: Broompark Picnic Area, half mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor. DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.    

Local history, nature, lunch, cost

Friday 31 July

Dara's Burnhope Circular

10.30am (4hrs) 7 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Picnic area on Edge Lane, southwest of Burnhope, on the Burnhope to Maiden Law road. DH7 0DL. GR NZ 182478. OS maps EX307, Ex308.

Local history, lunch, cost

August

Saturday 1 August

Train and Boot Elephant Trees

9.45am (to catch 10.00am train) (6hrs) 10.5 miles, difficult, Steve Shippen

Start: Stanhope Station Car Park, Stanhope. DL13 2YS. GR NY 998387. OS map ExOL31. (If train not running will do circular).

Lunch, cost

Sunday 2 August

Both sides of the Tees: Barnard Castle and Whorlton

10.00am (5hrs) 9 miles, moderate, David Butler

Start: Entrance to Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle. DL12 8NP. GR NZ 055161. OS maps ExOL31, Lr92.

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 5 August

Views of Durham Cathedral

10.00am (5.5hrs) 10.5 miles, moderate, Eric Borley

Start: High Shincliffe (Lay-by on A177). DH1 2PF. GR NZ 294401. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.

Local history, nature, lunch, cost

Friday 7 August

The Farms North of Waskerley Station (New)

10.30am (4hrs) 6.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley Village, off Castleside to Stanhope road. DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map Ex307.

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 12 August

Bowless and Back (New)

10.00am (6hrs) 11.5 miles, very difficult, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Start: Middleton-in-Teesdale, Fountain on B6282. DL12 0SH. GR NY 947253. OS map ExOL31.

Lunch, cost

Friday 14 August

Delights of Durham

10.30am (4hrs) 7 miles, moderate, Dave Drinkwater

Start: DLI Statue, Durham City Market Place. DH1 3NJ. GR NZ 273425. OS Maps Ex308, Lr88.

Local history, lunch, cost

Tuesday 18 August 

Cockfield and Butterknowle                                                                                                             

11.00am (4hrs) 7.5 miles, moderate, David and Fiona Eltringham                                                               

Start: Cockfield War Memorial, Front Street, Cockfield. DL13 5AF. GR NZ 127242. OS maps Ex305, Lr92.

Local history, lunch, cost

Friday 21 August

Hill Top and Esh

10.00am (5hrs) 9.5 miles, moderate, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Deerness Valley Picnic Area, between Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning, off B6302. DH7 7PP. GR NZ 218428. OS maps Ex308, Lr88.

Lunch, cost

Saturday 22 August

Abandoned Farms of Weardale

10.00am (5hrs) 9 miles, difficult, Jo Davies

Start: Lay-by on the B6278 going south just before bridge coming from Stanhope. DL13 2JR. GR NY 985391. OS map ExOL31.

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 26 August

A Walk to Hamsterley Forest

10.00am (7hrs) 14 miles, very difficult, Dianne Hannaby

Start: Wolsingham Station Car Park, Weardale. DL13 3BL. GR NZ 075368. OS map ExOL31.

Lunch, cost

Friday 28 August

Romans, Marley and Mills

10.30am (4.5hrs) 8 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Lay-by opposite West Farm Lane northeast of Medomsley, off B6310. DH8 6TZ. GR NZ 122545. OS map Ex307.

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 29 August

A Medieval Meander (New)

10.00am (7hrs) 14 miles, difficult, Brian Lander

Start: Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve, on B1278 between Thornley Roundabout and Trimdon. TS29 6NT. GR NZ 371374. OS Map Ex 305.

Local history, nature, lunch, cost

Monday 31 August

Views of Barnard Castle and the River Tees

10.00am (5.5hrs) 10 miles, difficult, Ian Gray

Start: Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle. DL12 8BE. GR NZ 049166. OS maps ExOL31, Lr92.

Local history, nature, lunch, cost

September

Friday 4 September

In Search of Cronkley and Ridding Cottage

10.00am (5hrs) 9 miles, moderate,  Jo Davies

Start: Pow Hill Low Car Park, Derwent Reservoir off B6306. DH8 9NU. GR NZ 011516. OS map Ex307

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 5 September

Consett Circular

10.00am (5.5hrs) 11.5 miles, difficult, Steve Shippen

Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area Car Park, Ebchester, off the B6309. DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Lunch, cost

Tuesday 8 September                                                                                    

Dipton and Derwentcote                                                                                                      

11.00am (4hrs) 7.5 miles, moderate, David and Fiona Eltringham                                                        

Start: car park next to Collierley School, Dipton on A692. DH9 9DA. GR NZ 154536. OS maps Ex307, Lr88. 

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 9 September

On Both Sides of Durham's (Modern) Boundary

10.00am (5hrs) 10.5 miles, moderate, Dave Drinkwater

Start: St Laurence Church, Pittington (with refreshments in church afterwards). Follow signs off Lady Piece Lane between Pittington and Sherburn. DH6 1AB. GR NZ 327435. OS map Ex308.

Local history, lunch, cost

Friday 11 September

Snaw's Green and Stinky Burn

10.30am (4.5hrs) 7.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area Car Park, Ebchester, off the B6309. DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Local history, lunch, cost

Friday 18 September

Foxholes and Rowley

10.30am (4.5hrs) 7.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: Watergate Picnic Area, on Stanhope road, quarter mile from Castleside crossroads. DH8 9AP. GR NZ 078484. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Local history, lunch, cost

Saturday 19 September

Come Fly Your Kite

10.00am (6hrs) 11.5 miles, difficult, David Mitchell

Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area Car Park, Ebchester, off the B6309. DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307, Lr88.

Lunch, cost

Wednesday 23 September

Up the Junction - makes the mind boggle

10.00am (5.5hrs) 11.5 miles, moderate, Jo Davies

Start: East Castle (private car park beside house) off A693. DH9 8PH. GR NZ 149520. OS map Ex307

Lunch, cost

Sunday 27 September

Durham woodlands: Old and New

10.00am (5hrs) 10 miles, moderate,  David Butler

Start: Sunderland Bridge, old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300. DH6 5JL. GR NZ 264377. OS maps Ex305, Lr93.

Local history, lunch, cost

Wednesday 30 September

Supping with the Devil with a Pennypie

10.00am (6hrs) 10 miles, difficult, Jo Davies

Start: Baybridge Picnic Area, half mile west of Blanchland. DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS maps Ex307, Ex OL43.

Local history, lunch, cost

Useful information about our walks

Clothing/smoking

Boots and waterproofs are advisable on all walks. Jeans are not appropriate and all walks are non-smoking.

Public transport

Some walk start locations can be accessed by public transport. More information is available here. Traveline North East.

Dogs

Well behaved dogs, kept on short leads are welcome on walks, unless otherwise stated. Routes may be long and cover steep ground with stiles to cross. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner. We reserve the right to refuse your dog onto the walk.

Car parking

Ensure your parking does not create a hazard and does not obstruct entrances or other traffic. Car share or use public transport to get to the walk wherever possible.

Health walks

Interested in further walking opportunities? There are a number of health walks carried out every week across the county. For a full list visit: Walk Durham

Existing health conditions

If you have existing health conditions it is your responsibility to seek medical advice before taking part in physical activity. 

Walks from Hardwick Park

There is free parking and a drink for those taking part in walks organised to start at Hardwick Park. Prior to the walk, meet the steward at the parking machine hut next to the visitor centre and collect a free parking pass. Spend £3.00 in the cafe after the walk and get a free hot drink when you show your walk card. 

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