County 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.

Easy and circular walk around High and Low Force Waterfalls.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

Nice and circular walk passing by Hudeshope Beck & Aukside.

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.

This loop will take you around the peninsula giving great views of Durham Castle, Cathedral and the River Wear. This relatively flat and therefore suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

A lovely circular walk around Cronkley Scar via High Force.

Circular walk around Holwick, Low Force and Gibson's Cave.

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.

This section of the England Coast Path begins at the popular holiday park at Crimdon and follows a more urban route to the historic Hartlepool Headland finishing at the old town walls.

This Tees circular walk from Bowlees takes in the spectacular scenery of Teesdale, Low Force, the Iconic view of High Force, the geographically famous Holwick Scars and views of the Royal residency at Holwick Lodge.

An easy circular walk around the historic Lambton Estate.

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

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.

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.

Circular walk passing by High Hurth Edge and the Upper Tees Valley.

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 short walk taking in the Houghall Estate, including the remains of the old colliery. Then up through the woods to the University Botanic Gardens for a pot of tea (and exploration of the grounds if you want to make the walk longer). Back to the woods and across to traverse beneath Maiden Castle (site of an iron age hill fort) then return to the car via a riverside walk.

This is the riverside walk in the Hamsterley Forest. The path is well marked (follow the blue signs) and very easy. It is pushchair friendly and perfect for little legs. It is dog friendly.  There are several others well marked walking trails and bicycle trails available in the forest. 

A lovely circular walk from Middleton in Teesdale following the Teesdale Way on the northern side of the river and the Tees Railway Path on the southern side.

A nice circular walk starting from the car park just before Broom Park. The walk uses two disused railway track walks and passes through farmland. The remains of Beau Repair are the highlight but you will pass beside the site of the Battle of Neville's Cross on the return leg.

An easy circular walk from Low Shincliffe beside the River Wear and up through Shincliffe Woods to High Shincliffe with a return leg via the old railway track.

This alternative section leaves the seafront and passes through some of the more charming parts of Seaham with its parks and streams before passing through the village of Dalton-le-Dale. The route continues past Dalton Park providing an opportunity to explore its shops, restaurants and footpaths before rejoining the original route.

An interesting walk which allows you to explore and appreciate the industrial history of Weardale. You will pass beside old limestone quarries, the remains of a lead mine, lime kilns and climb up to the edges either side of the valley. An optional mid-way stop at the Durham Dales Visitor Centre is a good place of a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Mostly well signposted and following waymarked trails.

A lovely circular walk starting from Wolsingham village. It passes through farmland on good tracks and paths up to Tunstall Reservoir. After walking around the reservoir the route returns at a higher level through pastures before descending back to the village. Interesting scenery, great views and mostly well marked with yellow arrows.

This is a short but interesting walk around Hawthorn Dene. In early spring look out for the carpets of snowdrops in the woods, later there will be wild garlic and bluebells.

The 7th section of the Along the Great North Road walk begins at the Chester Moor pub and then becomes an urban walk through small towns and past industrial developments. Throughout the walk you will see evidence of the route of the Great North Road through buildings and pubs, and also of the industrial history of the area. The route closely follows the East Coast Mainline so do look out for the Chester-le-Street viaduct which is an impressive structure.

The 6th section of the Great North Road walk begins in Durham, allowing plenty of time to explore the city, then follows one of the newer roads in Durham to the outskirts, passing through Framwellgate Moor before picking up the A167 again. The route continues through the countryside passing through the village of Plawsworth before ending at Chester Moor.

This 5th section of the Along the Great North Road, from Croxdale, starts in open countryside, then crosses the old Sunderland Bridge which once carried the Great North Road across the River Wear. The route then passes the landmark Cock o' the North roundabout, then follows South Road past the modern university buildings down New Elvet into the heart of Durham City finishing in the historic Market Place.

The 4th section of the Along the Great North Road walk joins two former coaching inns and roughly follows the modern day A167 through countryside, diverting into the former mining communities of Ferryhill and Chilton. Along the way is evidence of the old coaching route if you look out for it.

This walk will take you through the history and development of the districts to the west of Durham City. Starting at the modern developments on the river bank, past the medieval Kepier Hospital, through post-war housing developments to one of the older streets in Durham and finally past the ruins of a 13th Century chapel.

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.

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 37th section of the walk leaves Seaham seafront. The route follows the old South Hetton railway line up Stoney Cut Bank which gives a view back to the North Sea from the top. The route then passes through new developments still following the old railway line until it arrives in South Hetton. An alternative, more scenic, route is available via Dalton-le-Dale.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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