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
Date | Name of walk | Details |
---|---|---|
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 January | A 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 January | Railways 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 January | The 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 January | Three 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 Walk | Details |
---|---|---|
Wednesday 5 February | Romans, 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 February | Local 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 February | Causey 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 February | Ice 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 February | Snowdrops 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 February | Wonderful 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 February | Here 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 February | Three 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
Date | Name of Walk | Details |
---|---|---|
Wednesday 5 March | Along 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 March | Thornley 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 March | The 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 March | Red 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 March | Seaham 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 March | Standalone 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 March | Stanhope 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. |
- Email countryside@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 264 589