Langdon Beck to Bowlees - Durham Round Trail

Start : The Langdon Beck YHA (DL12 0XN) Grid ref. NY 859 304

(S) From the Langdon Beck YHA, walk South-East along the B6277 for 850m until you see a farm track to Birk Rigg Farm and fingerpost sign to your right.

(1) Take this track heading South-West. Pass Birk Rigg Farm and continue on the path heading towards the next group of buildings.

(2) After you have passed the barn on your right you will come to a track junction, turn right. At the end of the track follow the path around to your left (South-West) until it joins a wider track. You are now back on the Pennine Way.

(3) Cross the River Tees and turn left taking the track that runs along the banks of the river heading South. After 420m or so, pass Cronkley Farm and continue for a further 800m until you reach a track junction.

(4) Turn left (East-South-East) towards the river. The path will now hug the river bank.

(5) After crossing the footbridges over Skyer Beck and Dry Beck, you should see some ancient earthworks to your left on the river bank. Walking further you should see a quarry across the river. Cross a further footbridge over Blea Beck, then continue to follow the river as it turns North-East.

(6) After 1 Km or so, reach High Force waterfall. After you have viewed High Force, continue to follow the path East, there is another viewpoint just off the path.

(7) Continue past the Saur Hill footbridge and along the riverbank to Low Force waterfall.

(8) After viewing Low Force and the Stone Sheep, turn left across the Winch Bridge and follow the path North-East through the trees and across the field to the B6277 at Bowlees. Cross the road and continue into Bowlees if you wish to visit the Visitor Centre (E).

Start : The Langdon Beck YHA (DL12 0XN) Grid ref. NY 859 304

Transport: There is a small parking area at waypoint (1). There is a larger car park at Bowlees Visitor Centre, a smaller layby at Bowlees and also a large car park at High Force.
Buses operate between Bowlees and Langdon Beck on Wednesdays only operated by Hodgsons, they also provide Taxis throughout the area if required on other days (01833 630730).

Facilities: There are no facilities along the route until you reach Bowlees where there is a Visitor Centre and toilets. The High Force Hotel has a restaurant and bar. Food and other services can be found in nearby Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Accessibility: This route includes hills and terrain including fields and rocky footpaths. It is therefore not classed as accessible.

Accommodation: There is a YHA in Langdon Beck as well as the Langdon Beck Hotel. There is another hotel At High Force.

• The highlights of this section are High Force and Low Force. If accessing High Force from the north bank of the River Tees then you will need to purchase a ticket from the High Force Hotel. There is also a charge for parking here.
• Also check out the Bowlees Visitor Centre which provides information about the area and the UNESCO Global Geopark.