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 us 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

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

June

Date	Name of walk	Details
Friday 21 June	A Hopeful Journey - from Bollihope to Harehope and back	10.30am (five hours) 9 miles, easy. Jo Davies Start: Bollihope parking area, minor road Frosterley to Bollihope, DL13 2SZ. GR NZ 006349. OS map ExOL31. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Sunday 23 June	Great Aycliffe Way Organised by Great Aycliffe Town Council	10.30am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, easy. Ian Gray and Steve Cooper of Great Aycliffe Town Council Start: Car park next to Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices, School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6QF. GR NZ 268240. OS Maps Ex305, Lr93. Nature, local history, packed lunch required, free.
Wednesday 26 June	Cockfield and Butterknowle	11.00am (four hours) 8 miles, easy. David and Fiona Eltringham Start: Cockfield War Memorial on Front Street. GR NZ 243123. OS map Ex92. Parking in village. Park with consideration. Local history and hay meadows, nature, price of walk £4, packed lunch required.
Thursday 27 June	Five Bridges in Teesdale	10.00am (five hours), 9 miles, moderate. David Butler Start: Entrance to Bowes Museum, Newgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP. GR NZ 055161. OS maps Lr92, ExOL31. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.

July

Date	Name of walk	Details
Wednesday 3 July	Banks, Braes, Bulbeck and Beyond	10.30am (four hours) 7.5 miles, easy, 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 required, price of walk £4
Friday 5 July	Deserted Medieval Villages	10.00am (five hours) 9 miles, easy, Yvonne Andrews Start: Wynyard Woodland Walk car park off the south side of the A689, TS22 5NW. GR NZ 403284. OS map Ex306 Local history, social, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 12 July	Durham Woodlands: Old and New	10.00am (five hours) 10 miles, moderate, David Butler Start: Sunderland Bridge (old bridge over river Wear) off the B6300, Croxdale, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS maps Lr93, Ex305. Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Saturday 13 July	Kelloe and Raisby	10.00am (five and a half hours) 10 miles, easy, Brian Lander Start: Littlewood Nature Reserve car park, opposite Cassop School on B6291, DH6 4RA. GR NZ 340383, OS maps OS Ex305 Local history, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 17 July	Highs and Lows of the Durham Coast	10.30am (four and a half hours) 7 miles, easy, Yvonne Andrews Start: Easington Colliery car park, Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3RU. GR NZ 439440. OS maps Ex308. Local history, social, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Friday 19 July	Fir Tree and Pea Hill (new)	10.00am (four and a half hours) 8.5 miles, moderate, Dianne Hannaby Start: Witton-le-Wear, high road, near church, DL14 0AZ. GR NZ 147312. OS maps Ex305. Views, packed lunch required, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 24 July	Dipton and Derwentcote	11.00am (four hours) 7.5 miles, easy, 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, easy, 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, easy, 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, very easy, 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, easy, 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, easy, 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, easy, 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, moderate, 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, moderate, 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, moderate, 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, easy, 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, easy, 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, easy, 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.