Great North Forest Path
The route circles the North East of England covering parts of County Durham and the former Tyne and Wear showcasing some of the best countryside the area has to offer from woodlands to the coast, passing through towns and former mining villages villages, the variety of landscapes passed on the way is constantly changing.
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Activity: Walking
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Distance: 110.07 km
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Calculated time: 7 days
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Return to departure point: Yes
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Vertical gain: + 905 m
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Vertical drop: - 902 m
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Highest point: 174 m
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Lowest point: 3 m
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District: Hetton
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Start/End: N 54.831453° / W 1.494829°
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Step by step walk
This walk needs several days, find the details below:
Useful Information
This walk is based on the Great North Forest Heritage Trail, once a long distance path, but now no longer classified. It links up with and overlaps many other long distance paths in the North East so you may well be in the company of other walkers or cyclists following their own route. The key to enjoyment of these stages is to enjoy the views, the landscape and places of interest along the way.
Amenities will be noted for each section of the walk. These sections have been kept to around 5 miles (8 km) to make them more accessible. The entire route is approximately 110 km (68 miles) and could be done in as little as 3-4 days, or in the smaller sections over a number of visits. This is slightly longer than the orginal route as some sections deviate from the original route because of infrastructure development and diverting the route to pass points of interest.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Rainton Meadows
Hetton Lyons Park
Herrington Country Park
Penshaw Monument
River Wear
Washington Wetlands Centre
Hylton Dene and Castle
Whitburn
Souter Lighthouse and Lizard Point
River Don
Causey Arch
Tanfield Railway
Beamish Museum
Vigo Woods
Lumley Castle
Other walks in the area
Great North Forest Rainton Meadows to Pittington
Departure from Hetton (England)
This section walk starts at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and climbs up to the village of East Rainton before crossing fields to pick up the Pittington Way Railway Path to Low Pittington. As this route involves a climb you will have views back down towards Rainton Meadows.
Coalfield Way
Departure from Hetton (England)
The Coalfield Way is no longer a designated Long Distance Footpath, but still affords some spectacular views across former mining villages. The circular route passes through 2 country parks, Rainton Meadows and Hetton Lyons which are worth spending some time in. The route includes a climb from Rainton Meadows to Moorsley after which the route becomes more level. To enjoy the country parks, this could be enjoyed as a full day excursion.
Houghton-le-Spring to Bournmoor - Way of Learning
Departure from Sunderland (England)
Leaving St Michael's and All Angels' Church behind, the route heads through a park, past housing developments into open countryside before returning to villages ending at the Floater's Mill pub.
Houghton-Le-Spring Town Walk (Accessible)
Departure from Sunderland (England)
A short circular walk around Houghton-Le-Spring Town Centre passing some of the oldest buildings along the way. This walk has some gentle slopes but is on paved surfaces throughout.
Weardale Way Short Section - Fencehouses to Cox Green
Departure from Little Lumley (County Durham)
This short section of the Weardale Way winds through Biddick Woods and along both banks of the River Wear giving views of the Victoria Viaduct. It is gently downhill or level for most of the route and paved for most of the way making it a good walk after rain. There are a number of pubs along the river to while away a wet afternoon or enjoy a summer drink at the end of the walk.
Bournmoor to Chester-Le-Street - Way of Learning
Departure from Little Lumley (County Durham)
This 8th section of the Way of Learning follows the meandering route of Lumley Park Burn from Bournmoor to the River Wear at Chester-le-Street. The majority of the walk is through woodland, Lumley Park Wood, circles Lumley Castle finishing at the church of St Mary and St Cuthbert in Chester-le-Street centre.
Cocken Wood Loop
Departure from Framwellgate Moor (County Durham)
This short walk gives some wonderful views of Finchale Priory (English Heritage). It is especially nice in summer when the slow walk through the woods is cooling under the trees. This is one of my favourite places, an idyllic stretch of the River Wear.
Weardale Way Short Walk - Finchale Priory to Fencehouses
Departure from Framwellgate Moor (County Durham)
This section begins at Finchale Priory with a climb up through Cocken Woods, it then passess through Great Lumley before crossing farmland down to the river. The path then circles Lumley Castle and then follows Lumley Park Beck to Fencehouses. This section includes steep climbs as well as farm tracks and stiles.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.