Guided 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.
Walking levels
- 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.
Walks
| Date | Walk and leader | Level | Start time | Length | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 6 August 2021 | 3 Estates and a City (Dianne Hannaby) | Moderate | 10.00am (4 hours) | 7 miles | Start: Broompark picnic area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor. DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 251415. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. | Lunch |
| Saturday 7 August 2021 | Abandoned farms of Weardale (Jo Davies) | Difficult | 10.00am (5 hours) | 9 miles | Start: Lay-by on the B6278 going south just before bridge coming from Stanhope, DL13 2JR. GR NY 985391. OS map Ex OL31. | Local history, lunch |
| Wednesday 11 August 2021 | Bridges and Mills: crossing and using the River Wear in Durham City (David Butler) | Easy | 6.30pm (2.5 hours) | 2 miles | Start: Londonderry statue, Durham City Market Place, DH1 3NJ. GR NZ 274426. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. | Local history |
| Thursday 12 August 2021 | At peace with nature *New* (Derek Newby) | Moderate | 10.00am (3 hours) | 5.5 miles | Start: Low Barns nature reserve, Witton-le Wear. Followed by tour of reserve 1 mile, bring binoculars, DL14 0AG. GR NZ 162315. OS map Ex305. | Nature, lunch |
| Friday 13 August 2021 | The Farms north of Waskerley Station *New* (Jo Davies) | Moderate | 10.30am (4 hours) | 6.5 miles | Start: Waskerley station picnic area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map Ex307. | Local history, lunch |
| Tuesday 17 August 2021 | Ushaw Moor, Esh and Bearpark *New* (David Butler) | Moderate | 10.00am (6 hours) | 12 miles | Start: Broompark picnic area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor. DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 251415. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. | Local history, lunch |
| Wednesday 18 August 2021 | Waldridge Fell and Charlaw Fell (Eric Borley) | Moderate | 10.00am (5 hours) | 9 miles | Start: Waldridge Fell, first car park on left coming from Waldridge Village. DH2 3RY. GR NZ 252498. OS Map Ex308. | Local history, nature, lunch |
| Thursday 19 August 2021 | Sunderland Bridge and Croxdale (David and Fiona Eltringham) | Moderate | 11.00am (4 hours) | 7.5 miles | Start: Sunderland Bridge, Old Road over River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300. DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS map Ex305. | Local history, lunch |
| Friday 20 August 2021 | Consett Steel Works Heritage Trail *New* (Jo Davies) | Moderate | 10.30am (4.5 hours) | 7 miles | Start: Allensford picnic area, west car park, off A68 north of Castleside, DH8 9BA. GR NZ 078502. OS maps Lr88 Ex307. | Local history, lunch |
| Sunday 22 August 2021 | Byers Green, Binchester and the Bishop's Park (David Butler) | Moderate | 10.00am (5.5 hours) | 10 miles | Start: Western layby on A688 at Park Head Farm, Coundon, DL14 8AL. GR NZ 231312. OS maps Lr93, Ex305. | Local history, lunch |
| Wednesday 25 August 2021 | Hedleyhope Fell and Stanley Hill (Dianne Hannaby) | Difficult | 10.00am (6 hours) | 11.5 miles | Start: Hedleyhope Fell upper car park, B6301between Lanchester and Tow Law, DH7 6EX. GR NZ 149414. OS map Ex307. | Lunch |
| Saturday 28 August 2021 | Kelloe and the Raisby Way (Brian Lander) | Moderate | 10.00am (5.5 hours) | 10.5 miles | Start: Littlewood LNR Car Park, opposite Cassop School on B6291, DH6 4RA. GR NZ 340383. OS Ex305. | Local history, nature, lunch |
| Sunday 29 August 2021 | The Pennine Way and Lunedale (Steven and Janet Hutchinson) | Difficult | 10.00am (4.5 hours) | 8 miles | Start: Tourist Information Centre, Middleton in Teesdale, park in village, please park with consideration, DL12 0QG. GR NY 947254. | Local history, lunch |
| Friday 3 September 2021 | Snaw's Green and Stinky Burn (Jo Davies) | Moderate | 10.30am (4.5 hours) | 7 miles | Start: Ebchester picnic area, car park Ebchester, off the B6309. DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Lr88, Ex307. | Local history, lunch |
| Thursday 9 September 2021 | Dipton and Derwentcote (David and Fiona Eltringham) | Moderate | 11.00am (4 hours) | 7.5 miles | Start: Collierley School car park, Dipton on A692, DH9 9DJ. GR NZ 154537. OS map Lr88. | Local history, lunch |
| Saturday 11 September 2021 | Supping with the Devil with a pennypie (Jo Davies) | Difficult | 10.00am (6 hours) | 10 miles | Start: Baybridge picnic area, 1/2 mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS maps Ex307 & Ex OL43. | Local history, lunch |
| Wednesday 15 September 2021 | Barningham Moor (Eric Borley) | Difficult | 10.00am (5 hours) | 9 miles | Start: Barningham Village Green, Barningham, DL11 7DR. GR NZ 083 102. OS maps Lr92, Ex304. | Nature, lunch |
| Friday 17 September 2021 | A Wander to Sherburn House and Belmont (Brian Lander) | Moderate | 10.00am (4.5 hours) | 8.5 miles | Start: Layby off A177 at High Shincliffe, DH1 2PF. GR NZ 294401. OS map Ex308. | Local history, nature, lunch |
| Friday 24 September 2021 | In Search of Cronkley (Jo Davies) | Moderate | 10.30am (4.5 hours) | 9.5 miles | Start: Pow Hill low car park, Derwent Reservoir off B6306, DH8 9NU. GR NZ 011516. OS map Ex307. | Local history, lunch |
| Sunday 26 September 2021 | Locomotion Way and Shildon's Railway History (Ian Gray) | Moderate | 10.30am (5 hours) | 10.5 miles | Start: Middridge Village Hall car park, Walkers Lane, east end of village nearest to Newton Aycliffe. DL5 7JN. GR NZ 253260. OS Map Ex305. During the last year some of the historic buildings dating back to the 1820's have been refurbished, at the Western end of the Locomotion Museum's site. | Local history, lunch |
| Wednesday 29 September 2021 | In the Footsteps of Pilgrims (2) *New* (Brian Lander) | Moderate | 10.00am (5.5 hours) | 10.5 miles | Start: Sunderland Bridge, old bridge over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS maps Ex305, Lr93. | Local history, nature, lunch |
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.
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 see map or go to Ordnance Survey. Lr = Landranger, OL = Outdoor Leisure, Ex = Explorer.
Cost
The guided walks are being offered free of charge throughout August and September 2021.
Clothing/smoking
Boots and waterproofs are advisable on all walks. Jeans are not appropriate.
Walks are non-smoking.
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 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.
Existing health conditions
Please be advised that you will be asked to inform walk leaders of pre-existing medical conditions at the beginning of the walk and provide emergency contact details.
- Countryside Service
- Countryside Service
- 03000 264 589
