Coast and countryside walks

Walks on the coast

Visit Durham Heritage Coast for information and leaflets on walking the Durham Coastal footpath.

Walks in the countryside

• Cowshill to Killhope, an extension to the Weardale Way (PDF, 493 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project in a series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Escomb, Witton Park and Etherley, steam, coal and countryside (PDF, 787 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Escomb, Etherley and Witton Park. In the series of leaflets promoting circular walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Frosterley, in search of Frosterley Marble (PDF, 658 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Rookhope fields and fells (PDF, 5 MB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes two circular walks around the Rookhope area.
• St John's Chapel farming, mining and Methodism (PDF, 2 MB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Ireshopeburn, St John's Chapel and Daddry Shield.
• Stanhope, exploring a legacy of lead (PDF, 966 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Tow Law, Thornley and Harperley (PDF, 455 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project, this leaflet promotes a series of walks in and around the villages of Tow Law, Thornley. In the series of leaflets promoting circular walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Wearhead, the River Wear starts here (PDF, 758 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way.
• Walking around Wolsingham (PDF, 826 KB) - produced as part of the Mineral Valleys Project. In the series of leaflets promoting walks leading from the Weardale Way.

The Weardale Way

A series of free downloadable PDF format maps of the Weardale way in County Durham are available via our The Weardale Way page.

North Pennines

General information about open access in the North Pennines area with five suggested walks - Open access in the North Pennines (PDF, 1 MB).

North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NPAONB)

General information about the NPAONB and open access related issues in the North Pennines area with six suggested walks:

Discover Open Country in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NPAONB) (PDF, 827 KB)

Railway Paths

Come and experience Durham's railway legacy. The railway paths - former railway lines - are attractive countryside routes that can be used by walkers. See our Railway paths page for more information.

Woodland Trust walks

A series of walks around woods:

• Woodland Trust walk - Bog Pit Wood (PDF, 3 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Coal Hill Wood (PDF, 1 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Floaters Wood (PDF, 2 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Harvey Wood (PDF, 2 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Miners Wood (PDF, 2 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Robins Den (PDF, 2 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Toad Grove (PDF, 2 MB)
• Woodland Trust walk - Woodgate Wood (PDF, 2 MB)

Northern Saints Trails

There are six  Northern Saints Trails, regional trails led by Visit County Durham, which are based on ancient pilgrimage routes and portray the region's saints and their stories.

Report a problem with our paths

You can report a problem with a coast or countryside path online.