Durham Round Trail

This 1rst section of the Durham Round Trail, around Durham area, is easy to access allowing interesting heritage discoveries. Starting at the Cathedral, the trail follows the River Wear around the peninsula before leaving the city climbing to Brasside and finishing at Finchale Priory.

This 2nd section of the Durham Round Trail walk heads away from Durham City, starting at the picturesque Finchale Priory, then meandering through woodland and crossing farmland to rejoin the banks of the River Wear at the magnificent Lumley Castle, before heading through Riverside Park to Chester-le-Street Market Place. The initial part of the walk involves a steep climb, then it is all downhill from Lumley.

This 3rd section of the Durham Round Trail walk, begins with an urban walk through the outskirts of Chester-le-Street before picking up the C2C cycle route making the walking easy going, however the entire route is uphill alll the way from Chester-le-Street to Beamish. Look out for sculptures along the way which relate to the industrial past as well as legend.

This 4th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cyle route though open countryside and then through towns and villages ending at Annfield Plain. Interestingly, the coop buildings from Annfield Plain were moved to Beamish Museum which is well worth a visit.

This 5th and short section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cycle route through villages and countryside. It can easily be combined with other sections on the route.

This is the 6th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. Continuing to follow the C2C cycle path, the first half of the walk is through urban landscapes, passing through Consett and then into open countryside, following the Saints' Trail the Way of Light to Rowley Station Picnic Area. Rowley Station itself is now in Beamish Museum.

This is the 7th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. County Durham is well-known for its towns including Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle as well as Durham City, however today's walk leaves behind the urban areas and heads out into the open countryside. This and the next few sections showcase the wilder side of County Durham. The section continues to follow the C2C cycle path/Waskerley Way and has a number of picnic spots along the way.

This 8th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues on the Waskerley Way/C2C Cycle Route and gives views across the moorland towards Waskerley Reservoir.

The 9th section of the Durham Round Trail continues deep into the Pennines. This area was well known for lead mining and there is evidence of this along the trail. This part of the trail initially follows a ridge gradually uphill, giving amazing views across the Pennines. This showcases County Durham at its wildest. The final section of the walk drops steeply down to the pretty village of Rookhope.

The 10th section of the Durham Round Trail links the pretty villages of Rookhope and Westgate. Leaving the coast to coast cycle route, the trail follows a section of the Weardale Way along the route of the Rookhope and Middlehope Railway as it winds its way through the Pennines to the banks of the River Wear.

The 11th section of the walk follows a ridge above the River Wear affording stunning views down to the villages and river in the valley below. This walk is covers a relatively short section but can be extended by returning to Westgate via one of the alternative routes which allows exploration of the route or by joining with other sections of the route. There are a number of attractions in the area so this may be a good place to use as a base for a few days.

The 12th section of the Durham Round Trail is one of the more challenging. Leaving the village of Ireshope burn behind begin the long climb up to the grouse moors. This is probably the wildest, most desolate section of the trail, but is still beautiful and well worth the effort.
⚠️A part of the route goes straight through grouse moorland so it may be closed during shooting season. An alternative route is available.

The 13th section of the Durham Round Trail is short and can easily be added to the previous section. The section starts with a walk down through fields which affords good views of the surrounding land. The route then climbs again across farmland and moorland until it reaches Cow Green Reservoir.

The 14th section of the walk begins at Cow Green Reservoir and passes the impressive Cauldron's Snout before joining the Teesdale Way for a while along the banks of the River Tees

The 15th section of the Durham Round Trail follows the River Tees downstream past the stunning High Force waterfall to the visitor centre in Bowlees. This is one of the most picturesque stretches of the River Tees as it passes through County Durham.

The 16th section of the Durham Round Trail begins in Bowlees, crosses the Tees once more, and then crosses moorland to the first of several reservoirs in the area. This section includes a climb for the first half of the walk which is rewarded with stunning views across the Pennines.

The 17th section of the Durham Round Trail walk begins to the north of Selset Reservoir, then continues across the Pennines following the Pennine Way towards Balsdersdale Reservoir. Views of the numerous reservoirs can be seen throughout the walk.

The 18th section of the walk begins in Hannah's Meadow, made famous in the documentary about Hannah Hauxwell who lived alone at a farm here. The route drops down and passes Balderhead and Blackton Reservoirs before climbing Cotherstone Moor finishing at the Roman Road.

The 19th section of the walk starts from the naturally formed God's Bridge to the ancient ruins of Bowes Castle, this route follows the banks of the River Greta through open farmland.

The 20th section of the trail continues from the village of Bowes through the Greta Valley, following the River Greta to Rutherford Bridge and the waterfalls.

The 21st section of the route continues to follow the River Greta from Rutherford Bridge through picturesque countryside to the pretty village of Greta Bridge.

This walk follows the River Greta and River Tees, taking in some beautiful countryside, ancient bridges and river view.

The 23rd section follows the banks of the River Tees from Winston through the pretty village of Gainford which is well worth a stop, then continues to the ancient settlement of Piercebridge with its Roman fort and bridge.

The 24th section of the route follows the Teesdale Way along the banks of the River Tees passing through villages along the way. The River Tees is very tranquil and picturesque here so there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the area.

The 25th section of the walk veers away from the River Tees today, crossing farmland and following bridle paths through the villages of Blackwell, Stapleton and ending at Croft-on-Tees.

The 26th section of the walk continues through beautiful countryside and the pretty villages of Croft-on-Tees, Hurworth, Neasham and Girsby giving occasional glimpses of the River Tees.

The 27th section of the walk is through open countryside and through woodland, crossing the River Tees midway through the walk and then following the river to Middleton One Row.

The 28th section of the walk takes in several villages before crossing open farmland before arriving in Sadberge. An alternative, more accessible route has been given which is equally as charming.

The 29th section is another walk through open countryside and farms finishing in the village of Stillington where evidence of the industrial past is evident through the rows of terraced houses and the railway which runs through the centre of the village.

The 30th section of the walk starts in Stillington and crosses open farmland until it reaches the Castle Eden Walkway Country Park at Thorpe Thewles. From there follows the Castle Eden Walkway, a cycle and walking route which follows the route of old railway lines.

This is the 31st of the Durham Round Trail which follows the Castle Eden Walkway (Cycle Path 1) from Wynyard Village to Station Town passing through agricultural land and affording good views of Hurworth Burn Reservoir. This section of the walk is accessible.

The 32nd section of the walk connects with the Castle Eden Walkway and the Hart to Haswell Walkway. A short section passes through the village of Station Town before descending to Hope Heads Dene. There are many denes along the Durham coast, these are steepsided valleys, usually with a stream at the bottom. After passing through the village of Castle Eden, the route then follows a well-made cycle path. An alternative, accessible route, has been given in the description.

The 33rd section of the walk begins in the village of Hesleden and follows an easy downhill walk along the Hart to Haswll Walkway (cycle path) to the coast. The route then follows the Durham Coast Path, allowing plenty of time to explore the dunes at Crimdon or Crimdon Dene.

Section 34 of the walk follows the Durham Heritage Coast along a section of the Durham Coast Path. Look carefully and you may see traces of the mining industry which was prevalent along this stretch of the coast. Along the way you will need to navigate several of the coastal denes and gills.

Section 35 of the walk takes in more of the beautiful County Durham coast finishing in Easington Colliery where some evidence of the mining past of the area is still evident. The beach is worth visiting now, but was once the dumping site of waste from the pit. A pit cage is visible in the nature reserve and the old pay office is now a cafe.

The 36th section of the walk continues along one of the most spectacular stretches of the Durham Coast Path giving a further opportunity to explore more of the denes along the coast, taking in Hawthorn Viaduct and finishing in the coastal town of Seaham providing further opportunity to explore the harbour and seafront.

The 38th section of the walk takes in some of the farming land and woodland between the former mining villages of South Hetton, Littletown and Pittington.

The 39th and final section of the walk continues through former mining villages of County Durham, leading to a final stretch along the River Wear with views of the castle and cathedral, the finishing point for this walk.