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 |
Friday 26 July | One Hill at Wolsingham | 10.00am (three and a half hours) 6.5 miles, level 2, Dianne Hannaby |
Wednesday 31 July | Pont Viaduct | 10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 2, Peter Weighill |
August
Date | Name of walk | Details |
---|---|---|
Friday 2 August | A Dam Good Walk | 10.30am (four hours) 7 miles, level 1, Jo Davies |
Wednesday 7 August | In the Footsteps of Pilgrims (2) | 10.00am (five and a half hours) 10 miles, level 2, Brian Lander |
Friday 9 August | All the Trimdons | 10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 1, Peter Weighill |
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 |
Friday 16 August | Bollihope to Stanhope | 10.00am (five and a half hours) 11 miles, level 3, Dianne Hannaby |
Saturday 17 August | No place to Co0operate Villas | 10.00am (six and a half hours) 12.5 miles, level 3, Jo Davis |
Wednesday 21 August | Upper Team Valley Circular | 10.00am (four and a half hours) 8 miles, level 3, Eric Borley |
Friday 23 August | Penshaw Monument | 10.00am (five hours) 10 miles, level 1, Peter Weighill |
Wednesday 28 August | Beamish Circular | 11.00am (four hours) 7 miles, level 2, David and Fiona Eltringham |
Friday 30 August | Whinny Lane and the Elusive Path | 10.30am (four hours) 7 miles, level 2, Jo Davies |
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. |
- Email countryside@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 264 589