Great North Forest Rainton Meadows to Pittington

(S) From Rainton Meadows Car Park follow the Shrew/Heron Route westwards towards Joe's Pond. The path will turn right, southeast and skirt the pond which will be on your left, take either path as the meet again at the end of the pond. After this path junction, continue to follow the Heron/Shrew route south.

(1) The Heron/Shrew route will turn right through a kissing gate, ignore this and continue south, following the path around first to the left and then the right, the path will continue in a southeast direction then ascend a hill to the A690. There are steps upto the road. Cross this with care and walk through the car park of the Highfield Hotel.

(2) Once through the car park, turn left onto Durham Road, at the fork in the road, bear right and follow the road around the bend into South Street. Take the fourth road on the left by the church into School Road.

(3) At the end of School Road you will see a track to your right signposted Public Footpath which heads in a southeast direct and then meets a footpath, turn right onto this footpath which heads due south. This path will cross Hazard Lane, watch out for traffic.

(4) At the end of the track you will see the Pittington Way cycle path, turn right and continue to follow this path to Moorsley Road parking area (E).

Transport: There is a car park at Rainton Meadows and a small parking area at the end of the walk in Pittington. To return to the start of the walk, when you emerge onto Moorsley Road, turn right and then right again onto Pittington Road. Walk to the junction of the A690 and cross the road to the bus stop. Take the Go North East Prince Bishops 20 to Rainton Bridge, Walk back under the A690 and you should see a path to your right back to Rainton Meadows.

Facilities: There is a coffee shop and toilets at Rainton Meadows - do check the opening times as the gates to the car park are locked at night. The route also passes the Highfield Hotel in East Rainton which has a good Thai Restaurant, The Star of Siam, and the Blacksmiths Arms is close to the end of the walk in Low Pittington. If walking along Pittington Road to catch the bus back to the start, the Homer Hill Farm Shop also has a cafe.

Accessibility: Steep inclines and steps are part of this walk and therefore it is not fully accessible. An alternative more accessible route would be to turn left where the paths meet at the end of Joe's Pond and follow the cycle path to the B1284. Turn right under the A690 and cross the road and turn right into Durham Road ignoring the footpath straight in front of you, a short distance along here you will see a bridleway to your left, this is the same one the track from School Road will join. From where you can continue to the end of the walk. Please note however there are low gates here, the type horses can step over.

Accommodation: If walking the entire route, accommodation can be found at the Highfield Hotel, the route passes through the car park.

• Rainton Meadows - explore these wetlands with its trails and boardwalks before you start the walk as the path goes right though the network of ponds.
• Pittington Way is one of Durhams Railway Paths which runs through woodland managed by Durham County Council. There are many of these railway paths in County Durham, these once served the many coal mines (pits) in the area which are all now gone. Look to your right as you walk along this railway path. At the time of writing there were opencast mining works to the right and you should see traces of it.