Durham walks

This North Pennine walk inlcudes Harter Fell and Grassholme Reservoir and a section of the Pennine Way. The start is Middleton-in-Teesdale and the walk includes a variety of scenery. Descending into the Lune Valley the walk continues alongside Grassholme Reservoir before using a section of old railway track back to the start.

A short and enjoyable walk from Bowes Museum to Egglestone Abbey, following the River Tees. At the time of writing (July 21) Bowes Museum is still operating a time ticket entry. If you time your visit correctly you can combine a visit to the museum followed by the walk or vice versa. Please note the gates to the museum close at 5:00. If you think you will arrive back later then park your car outside the museum grounds.

The full tour of Castle Eden Dene taking in all the best parts with varied and interesting scenery:- Old buildings, open country, ancient woodland, the North East coastline, a magnesium limestone dene with its craggy outcrops, a meandering river and steep-sided gorge. There is a multitude of flora and fauna; if you are quiet you may see squirrels and/or deer. Starts and finished near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food.

A lovely circular walk with a variety of interest. From the popular waterfall of High Force through upland pasture and then the more desolate upland landscape of Thistle Green before descending to the River Tees and following its course with a final leg through farmland.

Easy and circular walk around High and Low Force Waterfalls.

A walk with lovely views in this beautiful peaceful dale following Hudeshope Beck up past the old lime kilns, over the miners bridge, through the wood and fields to Coldberry mine, then back down the beck on the other side.

A picturesque walk along the river Greta, abounds with history and nature.

Nice and circular walk passing by Hudeshope Beck & Aukside.

This is a fairly undemanding walk through a wild North Pennine landscape. The route visits two outstanding natural features - High Cup Nick and Cauldron Snout - using a section of the Pennine Way. There are no route finding issues even in poor visibility.

This Durham walk explores the area made famous by Hannah Hauxwell. The landscape is wild and never boring and this walk uses the Pennine Way for exploration.

A lovely circular walk around Cronkley Scar via High Force.

A varied and interesting circular walk from Castle Eden. It starts and finishes near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food. Explore the lesser known denes that lie to the south of the village via the disused railway which is now a bridle path and part of the national cycle network. Traverse the coastal path north before dropping to the beach and then heading back via the better known Castle Eden Dene.

A short and relatively easy walk which explores the lesser known Durham Denes that lie to the south of Castle Eden Dene.

A circular walk from Bowlees. Following the river Tees downstream to Middleton-in Teesdale before climbing out through open moorland via the mysterious corpse of ancient Kircarrion, with wonderful views over Lunedale before descending the dramatic Holwick scar back to base.

On the western outskirts of Durham. Good pathways through a mixture of the farming and industrial landscape.

A walk in the North Pennines using a section of disused railway, moorland paths and tracks. The route traverses scenery typical of the area with some views across Teesdale also to be enjoyed.

A pleasant circular walk starting and finishing at Barnard Castle. It follows the Teesdale Way on the south side of the River Tees and crosses the river via a footbridge north of Cotherstone village. It then heads back on the opposite side of the river. The walking is mostly flat and passes through farm land and riverside woodland.

A pleasant circular walk starting and finishing at Eggleston Hall Nursery and Cafe. It follows the Teesdale Way on the north side of the River Tees and crosses the river via a footbridge north of Cotherstone village. It then heads back on the opposite side of the river to pass through the delightful village of Romaldkirk before the final leg back to Eggleston Hall. (It can also be started from Romaldkirk or Cotherstone)

This is an interesting walk which starts in Stanhope and passes through the west end of the town to Stanhope Hall and then ascends the pleasant dene. After crossing the beck the path passes below old limestone quarries to the remans of the fluorspar plant before ascending to the Park Plantation and following the boundary wall of Stanhope Park, the return leg passes through pleasant farmland to the dene and back into Stanhope.

The final 10th section of the Way of Learning leaves the tranquil Finchale Priory the heads towards Durham City Centre passing HMP Frankland, Brasside Ponds and following the River Wear once more before ending at Durham Cathedral.

This is the 9th section of the Way of Learning. Beginning in Chester-le-Street, the walk begins in the urban town centre, then retraces the route back to Riverside Park with a walk along the banks of the Wear. Passing by Lumley Castle again, the walk continues on the opposite bank of the river before climbing up through farmland to the village of Great Lumley. Leaving the village the route continues along country lanes before descending through woodland to Finchael Priory.

This section of the walk begins at Whitworth Hall Country Park with its deer, crosses farmland before passing through the pretty village of Tudhoe and then joins the Weardale Way for a short section before reaching the outskirts of Durham City.

A gentle walk through Auckland Park taking in the River Wear, River Gaunless, Walled Garden and Deer House.

This walk largely follows the River Browney and then the River Wear passing through managed woodland around the outskirts of Durham City before passing the university and St Oswald's Church before rejoining the banks of the River Wear finishing with a walk along the South Bailey to Durham Cathedral.

This shorter section allows follows the Auckland Way for a time before crossing farmland to Whitworth Hall and Deer Park.

This section of The Way of Life is relatively short to enable you to fully explore Bishop Auckland Castle Park and Binchester Roman Fort, a short diversion from the path.

This short walk from Escomb to Bishop Auckland follows the River Wear. It affords a great view of the Newton Cap Viaduct and allows plenty of time to explore Bishop Auckland.

The final section of the Gainford to Escomb section of The Way of Life continues across farmland and through small villages finishing at the ancient church in Escomb. A section of this walk follows the Etherley Incline, the route of the first passenger railway in the world. The last part of the walk shares a route with the Weardale Way.

This section of the walk crosses farmland and follows country lanes starting in the village of Ingleton and finishing in West Auckland with its numerous interesting and historic buildings.

The Way of Life is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and takes in the religious centre of Bishop Auckland with its castle and art galleries. The trail passes through many County Durham villages from the banks of the River Tees to the banks of the River Wear. Evidence of County Durham's religious and industrial past can be seen throughout the walk including the Etherley Incline, an early railway, Medieval Durham, Escomb Saxon Church and Binchester Roman Fort.

The start of this walk begins at the historic St Mary's Church on the banks of the River Tees in Gainford and passes through farmland and pretty villages finishing in Ingleton.

This walk follows some of the oldest and most historic streets in the city and passes all 17 Durham University Colleges as well as its visitor attractions. Throughout the walk are many visitas of the castle, cathedral and River Wear.

A short walk along the River Wear taking in St Oswald's Church, Prebends Bridge and the Count's House. This walk provides views of Durham Cathedral and the Fulling Mill on the peninsula and passes the one remaining gate in the city walls.

This is a nice circular walk which seems shorter than it is. The walk starts in Stanhope and explores Ashes Quarry before heading up to Crawleyside Incline, where the limestone from the quarry was taken on its journey to the Consett Iron Works. The walk then cuts away to pass beside Millstone Quarry and to the top of Collier Law, before descending around the rim of Fatherley Plain to Fatherley Hill Currick. The route then heads back to Stanhope via Shittlehope Edge and Burn.

This final section of the Way of Love feels like a pilgrimage walk, first crossing fields to the River Wear, then winding its way through the older parts of Durham finally arriving at the Cathedral. Glimpses of the Cathedral can be seen all along the route.

This is a largely rural walk, taking in the villages of Kelloe and Cassop. The walk follows field boundaries and woodland, giving a view of County Durham which would have been very different 50 years ago when the collieries were still operating. Keep a look out for evidence of the mining heritage of County Durham during your walk.

This stretch of path follows two railway paths across open farmland between the former mining villages of Trimdon Grange and Kelloe. A church can be found at each end of the walk, St Alban's in Trimdon Grange and St Helen's in Kelloe.

The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This 3rd section of the route passes through the former mining communitis of the Trimdons, Trimdon Station (Deaf Hill), Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Village and finishes in Trimdon Grange. The route now passes through woodland and rolling green fields, but you may be able to spot evidence of mining in the area as you walk.

The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This section connects Hesleden with Wingate, one of the larger villages in East Durham connecting the church of St Mary's in Hesleden with All Saint's in Wingate.

The path continues along the C2C cycle route then passes through the new village of Rickleton and the old village of Picktree before passing the Lambton estate with its ornate castle then winding its way through the grounds of Lumley Castle on the banks of the Wear.

This part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.

This walk begins at Causey Arch and ends at Beamish following woodland paths for the majority of the route with one small section across fields linking two historically important locations. Be sure to explore Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway before beginning the walk.

This circular walk starts out with a cliff top walk to Limekiln Gill, then follows the main road back to Crimdon Dene passing under the spectacular viaduct and following Crimdon Beck back towards the dunes providing views towards Hartlepool Headland and Steetley Pier.

This circular walk encompasses Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve and Cross Gill and provides opportunties to explore Blackhall Rocks beach with its caves. The cliffe top walk allows spectacular views of the Durham Coast.

This circular walk takes in a varied stretch of the Durham coastline and provides views of Denemouth viaduct and access to 2 nature reserves along a stretch of the Durham Coastal Path.

This fully accessible walk starts and ends at the town centre and winds its way through residentaial areas passing Shotton Hall, Victor Pasmore's Apollo Pavillion and several parks.

This out and back route takes in 3 of the lesser known gills (narrow valleys) along the Durham Coast National Nature Reserve following a short stretch of the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast Path providing stunning views of the coast.

This short circular walk passes the Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve and Passive Mine Water Treatment Plant then returns via the England Coast Path providing views out out to see.

This circular walk around Durham takes in parks, old streets and a medieval hospital building. There are many viewpoints from which the River Wear, Durham Cathedral and Castle can be viewed. There are many steep climbs giving a really good feel for the hilly nature of Durham.

This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.