The Way of Life - Gainford to Durham
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.
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 49.39 km -
Calculated time: 3 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Return to departure point: No -
Vertical gain: + 399 m -
Vertical drop: - 409 m -
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Highest point: 175 m -
Lowest point: 40 m
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District: Gainford -
Start: N 54.545228° / W 1.739286° -
End: N 54.773709° / W 1.576946° -
Step by step walk
This walk needs several days, find the details below:
Useful Information
The walk is made up of two sections each of which can be walked in a day by keen walkers, however, it has been cut into 8 sections here.
Transport: Details of parking and local bus services are detailed in each section of the walk, but bus service 6 from Durham to Barnard Castle connects many of the start/end points on this walk.
Facilities: There are few facilities on the walk so it is important to make the most of corner shops and village pubs along the way.
Accessibility: Large sections of this walk are across fields and the walk includes numerous steps, stiles and kissing gates. Much of the terrain will be very muddy during wet weather.
Accommodation: A number of recommended hotels and bed and breakfasts have been listed in each section of the walk. It may be sensible to spend a day or two in a town location such as Darlington, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland or Durham. There are a number of cottages for rent in the area too.
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
The walk is made up of two sections each of which can be walked in a day by keen walkers, the first is the Gainford to Escomb section, the second is known as the Camino Inglés and begins at Finchale Priory just outside Durham City and passes the Cathedral on the way to Escomb so look out for waymarkers for either Camino Inglés or The Way of Life.
There are many things to see along this walk and in the surrounding areas.
On the walk itself:
- Gainford Village Church
- Etherley Incline
- Escomb Saxon Church
- The Auckland Project - Auckland Castle, Walled Gardens, Mining Museum, Spanish Museum, Auckland Park and Kynren
- Binchester Roman Fort
- Whitworth Country Park
- Sunderland Bridge
- St Oswald's Church, Durham
- Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site including the Castle and Cathedral.
Around the area:
- Barnard Castle - castle and Bowes Museum
- Raby Castle
- Spennymoor Town Hall Art Gallery
Other walks in the area
Gainford to Ingleton - The Way of Life
Walker 5.57 km
+61 m
-20 m
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Gainford (County Durham)
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.
Ingleton to West Auckland, The Way of Life
Walker 6.71 km
+45 m
-51 m
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Ingleton (County Durham)
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.
River Greta Circular
Walker 11.48 km
+103 m
-101 m
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Brignall (County Durham)
A picturesque walk along the river Greta, abounds with history and nature.
West Darlington Circular
Walker 14.24 km
+15 m
-16 m
4h 05
Easy
Departure from Darlington
A diverse walk crossing open fields, following burbling brooks and a beautiful section of the river Tees incorporating part of the Teesdale way.
West Auckland to Escomb, The Way of Life
Walker 7.85 km
+63 m
-90 m
2h 25
Easy
Departure from West Auckland (County Durham)
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.
Family circular walk around the Western area of Darlington
Walker 12.69 km
+24 m
-26 m
3h 40
Easy
Departure from Darlington
A walk suitable for all ages, good well preserved footpaths, nature reserve, museum on the route, watching trout jump the weir on the river Tess, good opportunities for pub food and cafe snacks.
Bowes Museum to Egglestone Abbey: Circular walk beside the River Tees
Walker 
5.99 km
+44 m
-53 m
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Barnard Castle (County Durham)
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.
Teesdale Way Circular from Barnard Castle
Walker 
13.66 km
+79 m
-83 m
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Barnard Castle (County Durham)
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.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.