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

July

Date	Name of walk	Details
Wednesday 24 July	Dipton and Derwentcote	11.00am (four hours) 7.5 miles,level 2, David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Car park next to Colliery School, Dipton, A692, DH9 9 DA. GR NZ 154537. OS maps Lr88. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 26 July	One Hill at Wolsingham	10.00am (three and a half hours) 6.5 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby Start: Wolsingham Station Car Park, Weardale, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 075368. OS maps Ex OL31. Views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 31 July	Pont Viaduct	10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill Start: Lay by next to Linzford Garden Centre, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear, NE39 1 DG, off A694. GR NZ 143567. OS maps Ex307 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

August

Date	Name of walk	Details
Friday 2 August	A Dam Good Walk	10.30am (four hours) 7 miles, level 1, Jo Davies Start: Pow Hill, low car park, Derwent Reservoir, off B6306, DH8 9 NU. GR NZ 011516. OS maps Ex 307 Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 7 August	In the Footsteps of Pilgrims (2)	10.00am (five and a half hours) 10 miles, level 2, Brian Lander Start: Sunderland Bridge Old Road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS maps EX305 Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 9 August	All the Trimdons	10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 1, Peter Weighill Start: Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve, B1278, TS29 6NT. GR NZ 372374. OS map Ex305 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 14 August	Half Church of God, Half Castle, gainst the Scot. Durham City's Defences.	6.30pm (two hours) 2 miles, level 1, David Butler Start: outside Castle Gateway, Palace Green, Durham City, DH1 3RN. G R NZ 273423. OS maps Lr88 Ex308 Local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 16 August	Bollihope to Stanhope	10.00am (five and a half hours) 11 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby Start: Bollihope Car Park, minor road: Frosterley to Bollihope, DL13 2SZ. GR NZ 006349. OS maps EXOL31. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Saturday 17 August	No place to Co0operate Villas	10.00am (six and a half hours) 12.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davis Start: Eden Place Picnic Area, Beamish, off A693, DH9 0RG. GR NZ 220537. OS maps Ex 308. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 21 August	Upper Team Valley Circular	10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 3, Eric Borley Start: Eden Place Picnic Area, Beamish, off A693, DH9 0RG. GR NZ 220537. OS maps Ex 308. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 23 August	Penshaw Monument	10.00am (five hours) 10 miles, level 1, Peter Weighill Start: Slip road off A183 next to Penshaw Monument, nearest postcode: DH4 7NJ. GR NZ 333542. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 28 August	Beamish Circular	11.00am (four hours) 7 miles, level 2, David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Eden Place Picnic Area, Beamish, off A693, DH9 0RG. GR NZ 220537. OS maps Ex 308. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 30 August	Whinny Lane and the Elusive Path	10.30am (four hours) 7 miles, level 2, Jo Davies Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area, Ebchester, off B6309, DH8 OSU. GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307 Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

September

Date	Name of walk	Details
Wednesday 4 September	(Black) Diamonds are for ever. Durham City and the Coal industry	6:30pm (2 ½ hours) 3 miles, level 2, 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 6 September	Durham Ox	10:00am (4 hours) 7 ½ miles, level 2, Peter Weighill Start: The Green. Aycliffe Village, A167, DL5 6JU. GR NZ 285605. OS Ex 305. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 13 September	A Quarries Walk	.10:00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby Start: Wolsingham Station car park, Weardale, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 076368. OS maps Lr92, OL31. Views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 18 September	Hope Fell for a Puzzling Ham	10:30am (5 hours) 9 mile, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Baybridge picnic area, ½ mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS maps Ex307 and Ex OL43. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Sunday 22 September	Cotherstone and the Teesdale Way (NEW)	10.30am (4.5hours) 8miles. level 3, Ian Gray, Start: Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8BE. GR NZ 049166. OS maps Lr 92, ExOL31 History, packed lunch required, proce of walk £4.
Wednesdy 25 September	Byers Green, Binchester and Bishop's Park	10:00am (5 ½ hours) 10 miles, level 3, David Butler. Start: Layby off A688, adjacent to Park Head Farm, Coundon, DL14 8AL. GR NZ 231312. OS maps Lr93, Ex305. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 27 September	There's no place like Holmside 10:30am (4 ½ hours) 8 miles, 2 boots, Jo Davies. Start: Picnic site on Edge Lane, southwest of Burnhope, on the Burnhope to Maiden Law road, DH7 0DL. GR NZ 182478. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.	10:30am (4 ½ hours) 8 miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start: Picnic site on Edge Lane, southwest of Burnhope, on the Burnhope to Maiden Law road, DH7 0DL. GR NZ 182478. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

Date

Name of walk

Details

Wednesday 4 September

(Black) Diamonds are for ever. Durham City and the Coal industry

6:30pm (2 ½ hours) 3 miles, level 2, 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 6 September

Durham Ox

10:00am (4 hours) 7 ½ miles, level 2, Peter Weighill

Start: The Green. Aycliffe Village, A167, DL5 6JU. GR NZ 285605. OS Ex 305.