Rookhope to Westgate - Durham Round Trail

Start : The Rookhope Inn and bus stops. (DL13 2BG) Grid ref. NY 938 429

(S) From the Rookhope Inn and bus stops, walk South-West then West crossing Bolt's Burn. Turn left (South) immediately after the burn (signposted Weardale Way) and follow the road, crossing Rookhope Burn, to the garage building.

(1) Turn left (South-East) and walk in front of the garage building and then continue to follow the track South-East. Rookhope Burn will be on your left. Keep right at the path junction and continue following the track South. Cross the stile and continue on the same heading. You should then cross the second stile.

(2) On reaching Smailsburn Farm, continue ahead. The track bends to the South-West, you should still be on the Weardale Way.

(3) After 1.1 Km or so, look to your left to see the ruins of a building (High Bishopseat). This is the highest point on the walk and should afford good views of the countryside. Continue South-Westwards. The track will continue through cuttings and then cross another track.

(4) The track will turn left on top of an old embankment. Ignore the path which runs straight ahead and follow the main track South.

(5) After the quarry, the route will turn right again. The quarry will be on your right-hand side. The path should cross the road and run behind the small building, this is not well defined so walk along the road and turn left after the building on your left.

(6) Continue walking Westwards ignoring the tracks to left and right as you reach the small wooded area. The path will then turn North-West.

(7) After crossing Park Burn, turn left (South) until you reach a path junction then turn right (West). After the gate the route reaches a wider track, turn left (South) and then after 50 m turn right (West) onto Side Lane. After 300 m Side Lane will turn left and then right again. Follow the lane downhill.

(8) When you reach the junction continue straight ahead down Scutterhill Bank. You should be able to see Westgate down below. The road will bear left, then right then left again. At the junction with Front Street (A689) turn left to the Village Hall and Hare and Hounds Pub, the end of the walk (E).

Start : The Rookhope Inn and bus stops. (DL13 2BG) Grid ref. NY 938 429

Transport: There is a layby for parking in Westgate further along the street from the Hare and Hounds pub. Take bus 101 to Eastgate and then bus 102 to Rookhope (Weardale Buses). These are very few throughout the day and don't run on Sunday, so consider a taxi between the 2 locations.

Facilities: There are public toilets in Rookhope as well as the Rookhope Inn. Refreshments can be taken at the Hare and Hounds at Westgate. There is nothing along the route.

Accessibility: This route includes dirt paths which can be muddy, stiles and gates. This section is not classed as accessible.

Accommodation: The Barrington Bunkhouse in Rookhope and the Westgate Manor in Westgate. The Golden Lion also offers rooms further along the road in Daddry Shield.

• Look for evidence of the old railway and enjoy the views.
• Both Rookhope and Westgate are pretty villages worth exploring.