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

March

Swipe to see full table

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 Lintzford 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, Waskerley 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: Millennium Bridge (west end) Frankland Lane, Durham City, DH1 5TA. GR NZ 273429. OS maps Lr88, Ex308. Local history, price of walk £4.

April

Swipe to see full table

Date	Name of Walk	Details
Wednesday 2 April	A visit to St Thomas Becket	10.00am (5.5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, Yvonne Andrew. Start: Road side on Old Stockton Road (Cul-de-sac), turn off south side of A689 near Sedgefield, TS21 3HA. GR NZ 364281. OS map eX305, ex306 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Saturday 5 April	Ups and Downs round Haswell and Moorsley	10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Brian Lander Start: Littletown Village Green off crossroads on Coalford Lane, DH6 1PZ. GR NZ 339433. OS map Ex308 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 9 April	Durham Ox	10:30am (4 hours) 7.5 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill. Start: Aycliffe Village Green, DL5 6JU. GR NZ 285225. OS Map Ex304. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 11 April	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 A691near Lanchester, DH7 0RJ. GR NZ 133485. OS map Ex307 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Saturday 12 April	Mid-level Weardale	10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, David Butler. Start: Wolsingham Station Car Park, Wolsingham, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 076368. OS maps Lr92, ExOL31 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 16 April	Romans, Steel and Cut-throats	10.30am (5 hours) 9.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start: Ebchester Station Picnic Area, off B6309, DH8 0SU, GR NZ 107548. OS maps Ex307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 23 April	The Farms North of Waskerley Station	10.30am (4.5 hours) 7.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map Ex307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 25 April	To Witton Gilbert	10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, Dianne Hanaby Start: Deerness Valley Picnic Area, between Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning, off B6302, DH7 7PP. GR NZ 218428. OS map Lr88, Ex308 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Sunday 27 April	The Battle of Neville's Cross, 1346	1.30pm (2.5hours) 2.75miles, level 1, David Butler Start: Outside old entrance to Durham Johnston School, Redhills Lane, Durham City, off A167, DH14SU. GR NZ 260426. OS maps Lr88, Ex308 History, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 30 April	Abandoned Farms of Weardale	10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 3, Jo Davies Start: Lay-by on the B6278 going south, just before bridge coming from Stanhope, DL13 2JR. GR NY 985391. OS OL31 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.

May

Swipe to see full table

Date	Name of Walk	Details
Saturday 3 May	To Edmunbyers	10.00am (5.5 hours) 11 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley village, off Stanhope to Castleside Road, DH8 9DZ, . GR NZ 050453. OS map Ex 307 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 7 May	A Woodland Wander	10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Brian Lander Start: Sunderland Bridge, Old road over River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH15JL. GR NZ 26537. OS map LR93. Ex305 Packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Sunday 11 May	Stanhope Common and the Rookhope Railway	10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, David Butler Start: Parkhead Car Park, 2 miles north of Stanhope, off B6278, DL13 2ES. GR NZ 003431. OS map LR 87, Ex 307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 16 May	Derwentcote and Milkwell	10.00am (5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill. Start: Derwentcote Car Park, Hamsterley, off A694, NE17 7RS, GR NZ 130563, OS map ex307. Packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 21 May	(Black) Diamonds are Forever: Durham City and the Coal Industry	6.30pm (2.5 hours) 3 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 28 May	A Visit to Jeff and Deb	10.30am (5 hours) 8 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Blanchland, main car park -(a small charge applicable), DH8 9SS. GR NY 964504. OS map Ex307. Packed lunch required, local history price of walk £4.
Saturday 31 May	Wolsingham and North Moor	10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby. Start: Lay-by on B6297, Wolsingham to Tow Law Road, quarter mile east of junction with B6296 DL13 3HJ. GR NZ095380. OS map OL31. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.

June

Swipe to see full table

Date	Name of Walk	Details
Wednesday 4 June	Durham Railtrail	6.30pm, (2.5 hours) 3 miles, level 1, David Butler. Start: Grassed area opposite 32 Old Elvet, Durham City, DH1 3HN. GR NZ 279423. OS maps LR88, eX308 Local history, price of walk £4.
Saturday 7 June	In Search of Cronkley and Ridding Cottage	10.30am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Jo Davies Start: Pow Hill Low Car Park, Derwent Reservoir, off B6306, DH8 9NU. GR NZ 011516. OS map307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 11 June	Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon Roles	10.00am (4.5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Yvonne Andrews. Start: Free car park at Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve, off coast road, TS27 4AT. GR NZ 471387. OS maps EX306, EX308 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 13 June	Ramble around Rookhope	10.00am (4 hours) 7.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Lay-by near Rookhope Arch, on the Rookhope to Allenheads Road, DL13 2DE. GR NY 924430. OS map Ex307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 18 June	Supping with the Devil with a Pennypipe	10.00am (6 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Baybridge Picnic Area, half a mile west of Blanchland, DH8 9UB. GR NY 956499. OS maps Ex307, OL43. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Saturday 21 June	Sir Walter Scott's Rokeby: A Literary Walk	10.00am (5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, David Butler. Start: Entrance to Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP. GR NZ 055161. OS maps LR92 EXOL31 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 25 June	Penshaw Monument	10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill. Start: Slip road off A183 at Penshaw Monument, DH47NJ. GR NZ 334533. OS map Ex308 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.
Friday 27 June	Lintz: Mountsett and Friarside	10.30am (4.5 hours) 8.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davies Start:Layby next to Lintzford Garden Centre, NE39 1DG, Southeast of Rowlands Gill on A694. GR NZ 146569. OS map Ex 307 Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.