Bowes to Rutherford Bridge - Durham Round Trail

Start: Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall. Grid ref. NY 995 135

(S) From the village hall, walk South down the road and cross Gilmonby Bridge.

(1) After 50m, look for a gate to your left. Go through the gate and cross the field in a South-Easterly direction, heading for the corner of the wooded area. You will pass through 2 field boundaries. The path then skirts the wooded area to the left before entering the trees.

(2) As you enter the trees, look for the footbridge over Tom Gill. Follow the path out of the trees and continue walking South-East crossing the farm track at the field boundary. After 50m you will cross How Low Gill, continue walking across the field towards the buildings. Skirt around the building to your right onto the farm track.

(3) Ignore the farm track to your right and continue walking in the South-East direction towards the bend in the wall ahead, go through the wall and continue walking towards the group of trees and Plover Hall.

Alternative Route: Turn right onto the main drive and walk to the road. Turn left onto the road and continue South-Eastwards until you reach the waypoint (5).

(4) On reaching Plover Hall, turn right onto the road and follow the road South-West.

(5) At the road junction, turn left and go through the gate. Follow this path South-East again between the 2 fences.

(6) At the end of the fenced area, go through the gate and stay on the same trajectory walking across the field. After 300m the path will turn East, continue making your way across this moor until you reach the boundary. Continue East heading towards the farm building.

Alternative Route: During grouse season there may be shooting here. If this is the case, take the path to your left which skirts around the boundary of the moor passing West Ling before rejoining the main route at waypoint (7).

(7) As you pass High Barn, join the well-defined track, still heading East. Cross Eller Beck to reach the farm. Keep right walking around the curved driveway and through the gate.

(8) Turn left onto Rutherford Lane and walk North-East to Rutherford Bridge where you can take in the river and waterfall (E).

Start: Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall. Grid ref. NY 995 135

Transport: Park the car in Bowes and arrange for a taxi to pick you up at the end of the walk. Try Hodgsons. There are no buses on this route.

Facilities: The only place to eat is the Ancient Unicorn in Bowes. There are no facilities on theis route.

Accessibility: There are a number of tight gates and stiles on the route and the path crosses fields, this route is therefore not classed as accessible. Terrain may be wet and muddy underfoot.

• Bowes Castle - The impressive ruins of Henry II's 12th century keep, on the site of a Roman fort guarding the approach to strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines.
• Gilmonby Bridge
• Rutherford Bridge and Waterfall