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Esh walks
Ushaw College to Durham Cathedral - Way of Light
Visorando Member
5.89 mi
+164 ft
-538 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Esh (County Durham)
The final section of the Way of Light walk starts in the tranquil setting of Ushaw College, once a seminary, but now a visitor attraction. Before leaving, ensure you check out the chapels which include elements designed by Augustus Pugin. The walk will pass through some of the villages surrounding the city before ascending to Durham Cathedral.
Way of Light Saints Trail Short Section - Ushaw College to Durham
4.95 mi
+177 ft
-545 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Esh (County Durham)
This walk begins at Ushaw College and ends at Durham Cathedral and follows The Way of Light for most of the way. Exploration of Ushaw College and Durham City itself will complement this walk through fields, along cycle paths and through the city itself.
Lanchester to Ushaw College - Way of Light
6.19 mi
+371 ft
-177 ft
3h 10
Easy
Departure from Lanchester (County Durham)
This 7th section of the Way of Light begins in the village of Lanchester and crosses farmland, passes nature reserves, the villages of Quebec and Esh Winning and finishes at the entrance to the impressive Ushaw College. This walk is across rolling green fields and passes many farms. It could also be called the walk of the many stiles, gates and cattle grids.
Bearpark
4.74 mi
+157 ft
-157 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
On the western outskirts of Durham. Good pathways through a mixture of the farming and industrial landscape.
The remains of Beau Repaire from the Broom Park car park.
5.13 mi
+249 ft
-246 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
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.
Durham Parks and Paths
3.77 mi
+223 ft
-253 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This circular walk around Durham takes in parks, old streets and a medieval hospital building. There are many viewpoints from which the River Wear, Durham Cathedral and Castle can be viewed. There are many steep climbs giving a really good feel for the hilly nature of Durham.
Durham Riverbank
4.43 mi
+161 ft
-154 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This is a relaxing walk around the River Wear in Durham City. The footpaths are mostly paved making this suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Where there are steps, alternatives have been provided. There are some lovely visitas from which the castle and cathedral can be viewed.
Kepier and Gilesgate Circular
2.87 mi
+190 ft
-190 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
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.
Views of Durham
3.06 mi
+164 ft
-161 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk starts in Durham City Centre, but takes a more unusual path around the city affording views of the castle and cathedral from several view points. The walk descends from the Market Place to the river bank and then passes the law courts and prison, Durham University, Durham School, then passes the listed buildings on South Street before returning to the start via the new Riverwalk Development.
Durham to Chester Moor Along the Great North Road
4.74 mi
+210 ft
-177 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
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.
Durham Round Trail
178.06 mi
+9,514 ft
-9,042 ft
10 days
Difficult
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This circular trail follows the borders of County Durham from the centre of Durham City to the Pennines, Durham's Heritage Coast before finishing back in the City Centre. County Durham is often overlooked but it offers some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes along with interesting towns and villages. Long sections of this walk follow former railways which are now cycle tracks as well as sections of other walks including the Teesdale Way and Durham Coast Path. Whether you want a challenge or are looking for a shorter walk, then explore the Durham Round Trail sections that interest you.
Durham City Centre to Finchale Priory - Durham Round Trail
4.79 mi
+141 ft
-262 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
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.
Colleges of Durham
4.86 mi
+364 ft
-364 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk follows some of the oldest and most historic streets in the city and passes all 17 Durham University Colleges as well as its visitor attractions. Throughout the walk are many visitas of the castle, cathedral and River Wear.
Durham Loop
3.82 mi
+210 ft
-190 ft
1h 55
Moderate
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This walk takes in the main visitor attractions in Durham, starting from the Howlands Park and Ride, visiting the Oriental Museum, Botanical Gardens, Castle, Cathedral and Market Place. There are some steep hills, but a bus can be caught from Elvet back to the Park and Ride.
Annfield Plain to Leadgate - Durham Round Trail
2.80 mi
+66 ft
-36 ft
1h 20
Easy
Departure from Stanley (County Durham)
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.
Durham University Loop
1.59 mi
+118 ft
-118 ft
0h 50
Easy
Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)
This short walk around the university showcases the best the campus has to offer. It is suitable for a lunchtime walk for staff and students, and for a longer walk taking in the Botanical Gardens and Oriental Museum. The walk is accessible, but be ready for a steep climb through the Botanical Gardens.
Chester Moor to Birtley Along the Great North Road
4.44 mi
+92 ft
-157 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from County Durham
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.
Sunderland Bridge to Durham Cathedral - The Way of Life
4.17 mi
+384 ft
-315 ft
2h 15
Moderate
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
This walk largely follows the River Browney and then the River Wear passing through managed woodland around the outskirts of Durham City before passing the university and St Oswald's Church before rejoining the banks of the River Wear finishing with a walk along the South Bailey to Durham Cathedral.
Weardale Way - Sunderland Bridge to Durham City Centre
5.35 mi
+279 ft
-295 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)
This walk is a little more challenging and includes some steep gradients but finishes with a more leisurely walk along the river banks in the city itself finishing at Brown's Boat House next to Elvet Bridge. Along the way the route passes several farms, Croxdale Hall with its Chapel and Shincliffe Hall. These are closed to the public but make good route points.
Weardale Way - Willington to Sunderland Bridge
4.80 mi
+7 ft
-36 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Greater Willington (County Durham)
This section of the Weardale Way follows the loops of the River Wear. It is a tranquil place with many vistas of the river along the way ending at Sunderland Bridge.
Great North Forest Beamish to Vigo
4.11 mi
+3 ft
-367 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.
Beamish to Chester-Le-Street - Angel's Way
4.28 mi
+36 ft
-449 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.
Beamish to Annfield Plain - Durham Round Trail
4.66 mi
+341 ft
-3 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
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.
Whitworth to Sunderland Bridge, The Way of Life
4.09 mi
+3 ft
-223 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Spennymoor (County Durham)
This section of the walk begins at Whitworth Hall Country Park with its deer, crosses farmland before passing through the pretty village of Tudhoe and then joins the Weardale Way for a short section before reaching the outskirts of Durham City.
Leadgate to Rowley - Durham Round Trail
3.52 mi
+75 ft
-66 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from County Durham
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.
Great North Forest Vigo to Lumley Castle
4.42 mi
+220 ft
-240 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from North Lodge (County Durham)
The path continues along the C2C cycle route then passes through the new village of Rickleton and the old village of Picktree before passing the Lambton estate with its ornate castle then winding its way through the grounds of Lumley Castle on the banks of the Wear.
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