Guided countryside walks

County Durham's beautiful countryside is home to a wide variety of plants and animals and the area has a fascinating historical and geological heritage.

All are welcome to come and explore with us as we have walks to suit everyone including short, easy walks and long, hard hikes. Unless stated, simply turn up as there is no need to book.

Useful information about our walks

Estimated timings: The duration of the walk is a guide only. The pace depends on numbers and fitness of the group and weather conditions. The leader will adapt the walk to suit the pace of the slowest participant. All walks are circular unless otherwise stated.
Severe weather: In severe weather conditions, contact us by phone to see if the walk is going ahead.
Cost: The guided walks are £4 per person.
Clothing and smoking: Boots and waterproofs are advisable on all walks. Jeans are not appropriate. Walks are non-smoking.
Lunch: A packed lunch is required where stated. Please bring this with you. Please also make sure you have enough drinks for the duration of the walk.
Dogs: Well behaved dogs kept on a lead are allowed on walks, unless otherwise stated. Routes may be long and over steep ground with stiles to cross. Dogs remain the responsibility of the owner. We reserve the right to refuse your dog onto the walk.

Getting there

Postcodes: The nearest postcodes are included, but they may not be the exact start location. Some locations are remote and the postcode given may be some distance away, so please consult a map.
Map references: Six figure references indicate the starting point of the walk. They can be used to find a place on a 1:50 000 or 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey map. For instructions on reading grid references (GR) see map or go to Ordnance Survey. Lr = Landranger, OL = Outdoor Leisure, Ex = Explorer.
Public transport: Some walk start locations can be accessed by public transport. Please check available services at Traveline North East.
Car parking: Ensure parking does not create a hazard and does not obstruct entrances or other traffic. Please car share or use public transport wherever possible.

Walk gradings

Very Easy: The walk is suitable for most levels of fitness. There are good paths, relatively flat, possibly a few stiles. Stout shoes are needed.
Easy: The walk is suitable for people with reasonable levels of fitness. It covers uneven ground, streams, inclines and stiles. Boots are essential.
Moderate: The walk requires a good level of fitness. Walks are through some rough moorland with steep or strenuous climbs. Boots are essential.
Hard: The walk requires a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience. Stiles, steep and strenuous climbs on rough and variable track surfaces. Strong boots are essential.

Walks

April

Date	Name of walk	Details
Friday 12 April	The Devilish Dene and Hutton Henry	10.00am (5.5 hours), ten miles, easy. Yvonne Andrews. Start: Castle Eden Dene Nature Reserve, Oakerside Dene Lodge, SR8 INJ. GR NZ 427393. OS map Ex308. Local history, social, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 17 April	Up and Down to Running Waters (new)	10.00am (five hours) nine miles, easy, Brian Lander. Start: Littletown Village Green, at Crossroads on Coalford Lane, DH6 1PZ. GR NZ339433. OS Map Ex308. Local history, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Thursday 18 April	Wolsingham and Tunstall Reservoir	11.00am (4.5 hours), 8.5 miles, easy.David and Fiona Eltringham. Start: Demesne Mill picnic area, Uppertown, Wolsingham, B6296, DL13 3DB. GR NZ 076375. OS Maps Lr92, ExOL31. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Saturday 20 April	Woodland (And bluebells?) in the spring	10.00am (five hours), 8.5 miles, moderate. David Butler. Start: Layby at High Shincliffe off A177, DH1 2PE. GR NZ 294401. OS map Ex305, Lr88. Local history, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 24 April	Railways and a Roman Road	10.00am (six hours) ten miles, easy. Brian Lander. Start: Broompark Picnic Area, half a mile from Stonebridge Roundabout on B6302. DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415, OS Map Ex308. Local history, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

May

Date	Name of walk	Details
Wednesday 1 May	A Park, A Castle and a Quarry	10.00am (5.5 hours), ten miles, easy. Yvonne Andrews Start: Hardwick Park Visitors Centre, Sedgefield, TS 21 2DN, GR NZ 346287. OS map Ex305. Local history, social, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4 (parking permits available from leader.
Friday 3 May	A Woodland Wander	10.00am (five hours) nine miles, easy. Brian Lander Start: Sunderland Bridge Old Road over River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS Maps Lr93, Ex305. Local history, nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 10 May	The parson, the bishop and the kirk	10.30am (five hours) 8.5 miles, moderate. Jo Davies Start:Opposite Black Bull Inn, Bridge End, Frosterley, DL13 2SL. GR NZ 023369. OS maps OL31. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 15 May	St John's Hall and four plantations	10.00am (6.5 hours) 13 miles, moderate. Dianne Hannaby Start: Wolsingham Station car park, Weardale. DL13 3BL. GR NZ 075368. OS maps ExOL31. Exercise, views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Thursday 16 May	Stanhope Common and The Rookhope Railway	10.00am (5.5 hours), 10 miles, moderate. David Butler Start: Parkhead car park, off B6278, 2 miles north of Stanhope, DL13 2ES. GR NZ 003431. OS maps Lr87, Ex307. Local History, no dogs - open access land, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Sunday 19 May	Stainton and Mount Eff	10.30am (four hours), eight miles, moderate. Ian Gray Start: Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle. DL12 8BE. GR NZ 049166. OS maps Lr92, ExOL31. Local History, Nature, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 22 May	Bridges and Mills, Crossing and using the River Wear in Durham City	6.30pm (2.5 hours), two miles, easy. David Butler Start: Londonderry statue, Market Place, Durham City, DH1 3NJ. GR NZ 274426. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. Local History, price of walk £4.
Friday 24 May	To Baal Hill	10.00am (four hours) eight miles, easy. Dianne Hannaby Start: Deerness Valley picnic area, between Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning, off B6302, DH7 7PP. GR NZ 218428. OS map Ex308. Exercise, views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 29 May	St John's Chapel and Cowshill	11.00am (five hours) 10 miles, moderate. David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Cattle Market, St John's Chapel, off A689. GR NY 886379. OS map 92, Ex OL31. No Car Parking Charge Local history, hay meadows, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 31 May	Lost in The Woods	10.30am (4.5 hours) nine miles, easy. Peter Weighill Start: Layby next to Lintzford Garden Centre, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear off A694. NE39 1DG. GR NZ 143567. OS Map Ex307. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

June

Date	Name of walk	Details
Saturday 1 June	A Common Pie for a Duke (new)	10.00am (6 hours) 11.5 miles, moderate. Jo Davies Start: Baybridge picnic area ½ mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS Maps Ex307, Ex OL 43. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 5 June	Holwick Scar and Grassholme	10.00am (7 hours) 14 miles, hard. Dianne Hannaby Start: Middleton-in-Teesdale, Fountain on B6282. DL12 0SH. GR NY 947253. OS maps ExOL31. Exercise, views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 14 June	Hownsgill Viaduct and Shotley Grove	10.30am (4 hours) 7 miles, easy. Jo Davies Start: Allensford picnic area, west car park, off A68 north of Castleside. DH8 9BA. GR NZ 077502. OS map Ex307 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 19 June	Industrious Durham: the city's past industries	6.30pm (2.5 hours), 3 miles, easy. David Butler Start: Londonderry statue, Market Place, Durham City, DH1 3NJ. GR NZ 274426. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. Local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 21 June	A Hopeful Journey - from Bollihope to Harehope and back	10.30am (5 hours) 9 miles, easy. Jo Davies Start: Bollihope parking area, minor road Frosterley to Bollihope, DL13 2SZ. GR NZ 006349. OS map ExOL31. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Sunday 23 June	Great Aycliffe Way Organised by Great Aycliffe Town Council	10.30am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, easy. Ian Gray and Steve Cooper of Great Aycliffe Town Council Start: Car park next to Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices, School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6QF. GR NZ 268240. OS Maps Ex305, Lr93. Nature, local history, packed lunch required, free.
Wednesday 26 June	Cockfield and Butterknowle	11.00am (4 hours) 8 miles, easy. David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Cockfield War Memorial on Front Street. GR NZ 243123. OS map Ex92. Parking in village. Park with consideration. Local history and hay meadows, nature, price of walk £4, packed lunch required.
Thursday 27 June	Five Bridges in Teesdale	10.00am (5 hours), 9 miles, moderate. David Butler Start: Entrance to Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP. GR NZ 055161. OS maps Lr92, ExOL31. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

Contact Countryside Service
: countryside@durham.gov.uk
: 03000 264 589

Related information