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. Walks are £4.
Useful information about our walks
Estimated timings
Duration of the walk is a guide only. 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 to see if the walk is going ahead.
Postcodes
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, consult a map.
Cost
The guided walks are £4.
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.
Public transport
Some walk start locations can be accessed by public transport. Please check available services at Traveline North East.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs kept on a short, fixed 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.
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.
Key to walk difficulty
Very Easy - Walk suitable for most levels of fitness. Good paths, relatively flat, possibly a few stiles. Stout shoes needed.
Easy - Walks suitable for people with reasonable levels of fitness. Covering uneven ground, streams, inclines and stiles. Boots essential.
Moderate - Requires a good level of fitness. Walks through some rough moorland with steep or strenuous climbs. Boots essential.
Hard - Requires a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience. Stiles, steep and strenuous climbs on rough and variable track surfaces. Strong boots essential.
Getting there
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.
Walks
February
| Date | Name of walk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 1 February | Shildon to Bolam circular | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 11 miles, Tony Carr Start: Locamotion Car Park 'A' Off Redwoth Road (not the car park at the Locomation Museum), Shildon, DL4 2JF. GR NZ 230256, OS Maps Lr93 Ex305 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Friday 3 February | Hilltop and Esh | 10.00am (5 hours) 9 and a half miles, Dianne Hannaby Start: Deerness Valley, picnic area, between Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning off B6302, DH7 7PP. GR NZ 218428, OS map Ex308 Views, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Saturday 4 February | An all-round view of Pontop pike | 10.00am (6 and a half hours) 12 miles, Jo Davies Start: East Castle (Private Car Park beside house) off A693, DH9 8PH. GR NZ 149520, OS map Ex307 Bring a packed lunch, cost. Hard walk. |
| Tuesday 7 February | Beamish Circular | 10:30am (4 hours) 7 and a half miles, David and Fiona Eltringham Start; Eden Place Picnic area, off A693 near Beamish Museum, DH9 0RG. GR NZ 220537 OS Map Lr88. No CP charge Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Friday 10 February | Green around the gill- Knitsley and Hown's Gill | 10:30am (5 hours) 9 miles, Jo Davies Start: Rowley Station picnic area on the Waskerley way, off A68, south of Castleside, DH8 9AQ. GR NZ 086478, OS map Ex307 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Saturday 11 February | Durham: A city of Parks and Gardens | 10.00am (6 hours) 10 and a half miles, Brian Lander Start: High Shincliffe Lay-by off A177, DH1 2PF. GR NZ 294401, OS Map Ex308 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Wednesday 15 February | Hamsterley Village and Forest | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 11 miles, Dianne Hannaby Start: East End of Village. Park with consideration, DL13 3PR. GR NZ 120310, OS Map Ex305 Views, bring a packed lunch, cost. Moderate walk. |
| Friday 17 February | Memorial Walk for Dara- Lanchester Circular | 10:30am (4 hours) 7 and a half miles, Jo Davies Start: Malton picnic area, one mile southeast of Lanchester, off A691, DH7 0TH. GR NZ 178464, OS map Ex307 Bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Sunday 19 February | Byers Green, Binchester and the Bishop's Park | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 10 miles, David Butler Start: Layby off A688, adjacent to Park Head Farm, Coundon, DL14 8AL. GR NZ 231312, OS maps Lr93, Ex305 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Moderate walk. |
| Wednesday 22 February | Bay Bridge and Blanchland Moor | 10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, Eric Borley Start: Bay Bridge picnic area half mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 958 499, OS Map EX 307 Local history, nature walk, photo, bring a packed lunch, cost. Moderate walk. |
| Friday 24 February | Banks and Braes of Bonnie Derwent | 10:30am (4 and a half hours) 8 miles, Jo Davies Start: Allensford picnic area, west car park, off A68 north of Castleside, DH8 9BA. GR NZ 077502 Os map Ex307 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
March
| Date | Name of walk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 1 March | Lambton Castle and Park | 10.00am (6 hours) 11 miles, Tony Carr Start: Mount Pleasant Lake, near Fatfield, DH4 7PU. GR NZ 314 540, OS Maps Ex308, Lr88 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk. |
| Sunday 5 March | Locomotion Way and Shildon's Railway History (includes a visit to the Locomotion Museum) | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 10 and a half miles, Ian Gray Start: Middridge Village Hall car park, Walkers Lane, east of village, nearest to Newton Aycliffe, DL5 7JN. GR NZ 253260, OS maps Lr93 Ex305. Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Medium walk. |
| Wednesday 8 March | Waskerley Reservoir and Muggleswick Common | 10.00am (6 hours) 11 and a half miles, Dianne Hannaby Start: Waskerley Station picnic area, Waskerley village off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453, OS map Ex307 Views, bring a packed lunch, cost. Moderate walk |
| Friday 10 March | Off to a winning start | 10:30am (4 and a half hours) 7 and a half miles, Jo Davies Start: Car park behind Co-op, Newhouse Road, Esh Winning, on B6302, DH7 9HA. GR NZ 190416, OS maps Ex307 & Ex308 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk |
| Sunday 12 March | In and around the Bishop's Park | 10.00am (2 hours) 4 miles, David Butler Start: Layby off A688, adjacent to Park Head Farm, Coundon, DL14 8AL. GR NZ 231312, OS maps Lr93, Ex305 Local history, cost. Easy walk |
| Wednesday 15 March | Did the Devil's Water make the Lady cross?! | 10.00am (6 and a half hours) 12 miles, Jo Davies Start; Baybridge picnic area, 1/2 mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499, OS maps Ex307 & ExOL43 Bring a packed lunch, cost. Hard walk |
| Tuesday 21 March | Whitworth, Bishop Auckland and Old Railway Paths | 10:30am (5 hours) 10 and a half miles, David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Public Car Park (Jubilee Nature area) by River Wear at Low Willington, off Stony Bank (road to Binchester). Jubilee Bridge, Willington, Crook, DL15 0DJ. GR NZ 208344, OS Map Lr93 Local history, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk |
| Saturday 25 March | Catterick and Carrs Top (new walk) | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 10 and a half miles, Dianne Hannaby Start: Frosterley station, Bridge End, Frosterley, DL13 2SL. GR NZ 023369, OS map EXOL31 Views, bring a packed lunch, cost. Moderate walk |
| Wednesday 29 March | To Witton-le-Wear | 10.00am (6 and a half hours) 13 miles, Dianne Hannaby Start: Bishop Auckland Rugby Ground, Bridge Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7PA. GR NZ 203299, OS map Ex305 Views, bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk |
| Friday 31 March | Frosterley marble and a disappearing river | 10.00am (5 and a half hours) 10 miles, Jo Davies Start: Demesne Mill picnic area, Uppertown, Wolsingham on B6296, DL13 3DB. GR NZ 075375, OS map Ex OL31 Bring a packed lunch, cost. Easy walk |
- Countryside Service
- countryside@durham.gov.uk
- 03000 264 589
