Edmundbyers to Castleside - Way of Light

(S)  From St Edmund's Church, turn right onto Church Lane and then turn left onto the B6278 (northeast) passing the YHA hostel. Turn right onto a track at the side of the hostel (southeast) passing the caravan site on your right.

(1) Cross Burnhope Burn and turn right with the burn on your left. Cross another stream and follow the path around to the right and then left crossing a wider track. The path follows an easterly direction following the edge of the woodland for a short distance before turning southeast to reach the road.

(2) Turn left and walk along the road passing Dean's Farm. At the road junction turn right and follow the road to the village of Muggleswick. Pass the garage on the right and then turn right through a gate to walk up a grassy path to the church.

(3) Leave the churchyard by the gate in the southwest corner and walk south across the fields crossing a track to reach the road. Turn left and walk along the road passing Waverley Lodge on your left.

(4) Just past Haverley Lodge, turn left crossing the cattle grid and follow the road in a southeasterly direction. The road will enter Muggleswick Woods/Derwent Gorge.

(5) If you wish to explore the woods and the gorge turn left if not continue walking southeast along the road. The road will continue steeply downhill, follow the hairpin bends and cross Comb Bridges.

(6) Just after the bridges, look for the public footpath sign and small gate to your left. Go through the gate and continue follow the path northeastwards. This footpath emerges onto a narrow road, turn right and walk down the road.

(7) As you emerge from the trees, look for a public footpath sign (this may be difficult to find in the trees) on your left, go through the gate and follow the gravel track to Dean Howl Farm.

(8) Continue past the farm, this path will initially go east then turn southeast following the treeline and Wharnley Burn on your left. You should see Castleside Cemetery ahead of you, bear left and cross Wharnley Burn here before reaching the road.

(9) Turn left into Church Street and continue until you reach St John the Evangelist Church (E) .

Transport: It may be difficult to find on-street parking in Edmundbyers and Castleside as the streets are very narrow. As you will need to take a bus to Consett from the end point to return to Edmundbyers, it is recommended to park in one of Consett's town centre car parks. Take bus 773 from Consett bus station to Edmundbyers (twice daily Monday-Friday). Take bus X15 (hourly, daily) between St John the Evangelist Church in Castleside to Consett. On weekends, you will require a taxi.

Facilities: There are public toilets next to the village hall in Edmundbyers. Refreshments can be taken at the Fleece Inn in Castleside at the end of the walk. There are also public toilets and places to eat around Consett bus station.

Accessibility/Terrain: There are parts of the walk which are across fields which can be very muddy. Large parts of this walk are also on narrow country roads, care must be taken as there will be passing traffic.

Accommodation: If you are walking this as part of a multi-day walk, then there is accommodation at Edmundbyers YHA and around the Consett area.

• Enjoy the landscapes of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Explore the villages of Edmundbyers, Muggleswick and Castleside.
• Visit the churches of St Edmund (Edmundbyers), All Saints (Muggleswick) and St John the Evangelist (Castleside).