Rainton Meadows - Dragonfly Route and Joe's Pond

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A short, accessible walk taking in Joe's Pond, a deep pond fringed with reeds. There are plenty of viewing points along the way to look for wildlife. Look out for common teal, common pochard, and tufted duck in winter and, in summer, great crested grebes. This walk is along well-made paths and boardwalks suitable for all abilities.

Details

n°85960230
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 54 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 43 m
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Description of the walk

Start: Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre Car Park, Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 6PU. what3words.com - ///suggested.stud.mammals

(S/E) Take the footpath heading east from the northern end of the car park. This bears left through a gate and then heads east again.

(1) At the information board, take the first path on the right and follow this southwards (this should be signposted Dragonfly Route).

(2) Turn left through the kissing gate and then take the first path on the left before the stream. Follow this to the viewpoint at the southern end of Joe's Pond.

(3) Continue to follow the path around to the left of the pond, the accessible route is to the left at the bottom of the steps. Enjoy the view of the pond to your right as you walk alongside it.

(4) On reaching the information board, turn right and take in the view of the pond, then retrace your steps to (1) and follow the path back to the visitor centre car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 48 m - Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 46 m - Welcome to Rainton Meadows Information Board
  3. 2 : km 0.47 - alt. 54 m - Kissing Gate
  4. 3 : km 0.61 - alt. 51 m - Viewpoint for Joe's Pond
  5. 4 : km 0.84 - alt. 46 m - Information Board
  6. S/E : km 1.2 - alt. 48 m - Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre

Notes

Transport: There is a car park at the visitor centre, buses 20A and X20 (GoNorthEast) serve the industrial estate next to the reserve.

Facilities: The Visitor Centre is open daily from 10:00-16:00 and has a cafe and toilets.

Accessibility/Terrain: Good paths and boardwalks, but you will need a radar key for the gates, which can be borrowed from the Visitor Centre.

Worth a visit

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