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

December

Date	Name of walk	Details
Wednesday 18 December	Simdy Shaw Reservoir and Whitehall Moss	10.00am (4.5 hours) 8.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map ex 307. Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.

Date

Name of walk

Details

Wednesday 18 December

Simdy Shaw Reservoir and Whitehall Moss

10.00am (4.5 hours) 8.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies.

Start: Waskerley Station Picnic Area, Waskerley village, off Castleside to Stanhope Road, DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 050453. OS map ex 307.

Packed lunch required, local history, price of walk £4.

January

Date	Name of walk	Details
Friday 3 January	A visit to the Monk's Retreat	10.30am (4 hours) 6.5miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start Broompark Picnic Area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor, DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS map Ex308. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 8 January	Consett Steel Works Heritage Trail	10.00am (4.5 hours) 7 miles, level 2, 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, price of walk £4.
Friday 10 January	Railways and Racecources around Durham City	10.00am (6 hours) 11 miles, level 2, David Butler. Start: Layby at the High Shincliffe off A177, DH1 2PE. GR NZ 294401. OS maps Lr88, Ex305. Local history, packed lunch, price of the walk £4.
Wednesday 15 January	The Anchorage	10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill. Start: High Flatts, road between South Pelaw and Pelton. GR NZ 262526. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch, price of the walk £4.
Friday 17 January	Three Estates and a City	10.00am (4 hours) 7 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby. Start: Broompark Picnic Area, ½ mile from Stonebridge roundabout on B6302 towards Ushaw Moor, DH7 7RJ. GR NZ 250415. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 22 January	A Walk in the Park	10.00am (4 hours) 7.5 miles, level 3, Brian Lander. Start: Sunderland Bridge, old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377.OS map Ex305. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Friday 24 January	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 A691 near Lanchester, DH7 0RJ. GR NZ 133485. OS map Ex307. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 29 January	Three in One	10.00am (5.5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Ebchester Station picnic area, Ebchester, off B6309, DH8 0SU. GR NZ 107548. OS map Ex307. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.

February

Date	Name of Walk	Details
Wednesday 5 February	Romans, Marley and Mills	10.30am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start: Lay-by opposite West Farm Lane north-east of Medomsley, off B6310, DH8 6TZ. GR NZ 122545. OS map Ex307. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Saturday 8 February	Local Naure Trail	10.00am (5 hours) 10 miles, level 3, Brian Lander. Start: Road to Finchale Priory opposite Frankland Prison, Brasside. GR NZ 288460. OS Map Ex305. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 12 February	Causey Arch	10.00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill. Start: Eden Place, Beamish, off A692. GR NZ 220537. OS map Ex308. Packed lunch, price of the walk £4.
Saturday 15 February	Ice and Coal	10.00am (5 hours) 9.5 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, packed lunch, price of the walk £4.
Wednesday 19 February	Snowdrops and World War II	10.00am (5 hours) 9 miles, level 2, Yvonne Andrews. Start: Free car park on cliff top at Easington Colliery, Seaside Lane. SR8 3RU. GR NZ 439440. OS map Ex308. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Friday 21 February	Wonderful Weardale Wolsingham to Harperley	10.00am (5 hours) 9.5 miles, level 2, Jo Davies. Start: Wolsingham Station car park. Weardale, DL13 3BL. GR NZ 076368. OS maps Ex OL31, Ex305. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Wednesday 26 February	Here we go round the Hollybush (extended version)	10.00am (6 hours) 10.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davies. Start: Malton picnic area, one mile south-east of Lanchester, off A691, DH7 0TH. GR NZ 178464. OS map Ex307. Local history, packed lunch, price of walk £4.
Friday 28 February	Three Villages	10.00am (4 hours), 7.5 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby Start: Sunderland Bridge old road over River Wear, Croxdale, off B6300, DH6 5JL. GR NZ 265377. OS map Ex305. Packed lunch, price of walk £4.

March

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