Skip to content
  1. Do it online
  2. Login
  3. Have your say
  4. My Durham

See our Changes to County Durham bin collections at Christmas page to find out when your bin will be collected over the festive period.

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 Countryside Service 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

  • Level one: The walk is suitable for most levels of fitness. There are good paths, relatively flat, possibly a few stiles. Stout shoes are needed.
  • Level two: The walk is  suitable for people with reasonable levels of fitness. It covers uneven ground, streams, inclines and stiles. Boots are essential.
  • Level three: The walk requires a good level of fitness. Walks are through some rough moorland with steep or strenuous climbs. Boots are essential.
  • Level four: 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

December 

DateName of walkDetails
Wednesday 4 December

Two Hills

10.00am (6 hours) 12 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby.

Start: park on road leading to St Michael's and All Angels Church, Witton Gilbert, DH7 6SU. GR NZ 235453. Os map Ex308.

Price of walk £4, packed lunch required.

Friday 6 December

Off to a Winning Start

10.30am (4.5 hours) 7.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Car park behind Co-op, Newhouse Road, Esh Winning on B6302, DH7 9HA. GR NZ 190416. OS maps Ex 307, 308,

Price of walk £4. Packed lunch required, local history.

Friday 13 December

Coal Barrons and Wagonways 

10.00am (4 hours) 7.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies

Start: East Castle (private car park at the side of the house) off A693, DH9 8PH. GR NZ 149520. OS map Ex307

Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 18 December

Simdy Shaw Reservoir and Whitehall Moss

10.00am (4.5 hours) 8.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map ex 307.

Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.

January

      Date Name of walk Details 
Friday 3 JanuaryA visit to the Monk's Retreat

10.30am (4 hours) 6.5miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start Broompark Picnic Area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor, DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS map Ex308.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4. 

Wednesday 8 January Consett Steel Works Heritage Trail 

10.00am (4.5 hours) 7 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Allensford picnic area, west car park, off A68, north of Castleside, DH8 9BA. GR NZ 077502. OS map Ex307.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 10 JanuaryRailways and Racecources around Durham City

10.00am (6 hours) 11 miles, level 2, David Butler.

Start: Layby at the High Shincliffe off A177, DH1 2PE. GR NZ 294401. OS maps Lr88, Ex305.

Local history, packed lunch, price of the walk £4.

Wednesday 15 JanuaryThe Anchorage

10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill.

Start: High Flatts, road between South Pelaw and Pelton. GR NZ 262526. OS map Ex308.

Packed lunch, price of the walk £4.

Friday 17 JanuaryThree Estates and a City

10.00am (4 hours) 7 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby.

Start: Broompark Picnic Area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor, DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS map Ex308.

Packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 22 January A Walk in the Park

10.00am (4 hours) 7.5 miles, level 3, Brian Lander.

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

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 24 January Brian's Browney Points. Hurbuck to Lanchester

10.00am (4.5 hours) 7.5 miles, level 1, Jo Davies.

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

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 29 January Three in One 

10.00am (5.5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Jo Davies.

Start: Ebchester Station picnic area, Ebchester, off B6309, DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS map Ex307.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

February

Date Name of WalkDetails 
Wednesday 5 FebruaryRomans, Marley and Mills

10.30am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

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

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Saturday 8 FebruaryLocal Naure Trail 

10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Brian Lander.

Start: Road to Finchale Priory opposite Frankland Prison, Brasside. GR NZ 288460. OS Map Ex305.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 12 FebruaryCausey Arch

10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill.

Start: Eden Place, Beamish, off A692. GR NZ 220537. OS map Ex308.

Packed lunch, price of the walk £4.

Saturday 15 FebruaryIce and Coal 

10.00am (5 hours) 9.5 miles, level 2, David Butler.

Start: Millennium Bridge (west end), Frankland Lane, Durham City, DH1 5TA. GR NZ 273429. OS maps Lr88, Ex308.

Local history, packed lunch, price of the walk £4.

Wednesday 19 FebruarySnowdrops and World War II

10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Yvonne Andrews.

Start: Free car park on cliff top at Easington Colliery, Seaside Lane. SR8 3RU. GR NZ 439440. OS map Ex308.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 21 FebruaryWonderful Weardale Wolsingham to Harperley

10.00am (5 hours) 9.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Wolsingham Station car park. Weardale, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 076368. OS maps Ex OL31, Ex305.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 26 FebruaryHere we go round the Hollybush (extended version)

10.00am (6 hours) 10.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davies.

Start: Malton picnic area, one mile south-east of Lanchester, off A691, DH7 0TH. GR NZ 178464. OS map Ex307.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 28 FebruaryThree Villages 

10.00am (4 hours), 7.5 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby

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

Packed lunch, price of walk £4.

March

DateName of WalkDetails
Wednesday 5 MarchAlong the River Wear 

10.00am (6 hours) 10.5 miles, level 2, Brian Lander.

Start: Sunderland Bridge old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS map Ex308.

Packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 7 MarchThornley and the Trig 

10.00am (6 hours) 11.5 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby.

Start: Wolsingham Station Car park, Weardale, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 076368. OS map OL31.

Packed Lunch, Price of walk £4.

Sunday 9 MarchThe Penine Way and Low Force

10.30am (4 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Steven and Janet Hutchinson.

Start: Middleton in Teesdale, in front of the memorial fountain, DL12 8LX . GR NY 948255. OS map Ex OL31.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 12 MarchRed Kites and Pots of Gold 

10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill.

Start: Outside Lintz Garden Centre, A694, GR NZ 146569. OS map Ex307.

Packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Sunday 16 March Bridge and Mills: Crossing and using the River Wear in Durham City 

1.30pm (2.5 hours) 2 miles, level 1, David Butler.

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

Local history, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 19 MarchSeaham to Burdon

10.00am (5.5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, Yvonne Andrews.

Start: Free car park at Seaham Town Hall, Seaham Town Park, corner of B1285 and B1404, SR7 0HP. GR NZ 408498. OS map Ex308.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Friday 21 MarchStandalone round the Baal Hill

10.00am (4 hours) 7 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: St Pauls Church Waterhouses, DH7 9AW. Park with care in village. GR NZ 181407. OS maps Ex307, Ex305.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Wednesday 26 MarchStanhope and Tyne Railway Walk 

10.00am (5.5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Waskerley station picnic area, Waskerly village, off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map Ex307.

Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

Sunday 30 March Low Newton and Frankland Wood 

1.30pm (3 hours) 5 miles, level 2, David Butler.

Start: Millenium Bridge (west end) Frankland Lane, Durham City, DH1 5TA. GR NZ 273429. OS maps Lr88, Ex308.

Local history, price of walk £4.

 



Share this page

Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on Twitter