Rookhope to Westgate - Durham Round Trail

The 11th section of the walk follows a ridge above the River Wear affording stunning views down to the villages and river in the valley below. This walk is covers a relatively short section but can be extended by returning to Westgate via one of the alternative routes which allows exploration of the route or by joining with other sections of the route. There are a number of attractions in the area so this may be a good place to use as a base for a few days.

The 9th section of the Durham Round Trail continues deep into the Pennines. This area was well known for lead mining and there is evidence of this along the trail. This part of the trail initially follows a ridge gradually uphill, giving amazing views across the Pennines. This showcases County Durham at its wildest. The final section of the walk drops steeply down to the pretty village of Rookhope.

This is an interesting walk which starts in Stanhope and passes through the west end of the town to Stanhope Hall and then ascends the pleasant dene. After crossing the beck the path passes below old limestone quarries to the remans of the fluorspar plant before ascending to the Park Plantation and following the boundary wall of Stanhope Park, the return leg passes through pleasant farmland to the dene and back into Stanhope.

This is a nice circular walk which seems shorter than it is. The walk starts in Stanhope and explores Ashes Quarry before heading up to Crawleyside Incline, where the limestone from the quarry was taken on its journey to the Consett Iron Works. The walk then cuts away to pass beside Millstone Quarry and to the top of Collier Law, before descending around the rim of Fatherley Plain to Fatherley Hill Currick. The route then heads back to Stanhope via Shittlehope Edge and Burn.

The 4th section of the Way of Light passes through the North Pennines Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty, crossing from Northumberland into County Durham. The walk starts in the pretty village of Blanchland, crosses wild moorland sharing the route with a section of the Lead Mining Trail and finishes in the equally pretty village of Edmundbyers.

The 12th section of the Durham Round Trail is one of the more challenging. Leaving the village of Ireshope burn behind begin the long climb up to the grouse moors. This is probably the wildest, most desolate section of the trail, but is still beautiful and well worth the effort.
⚠️A part of the route goes straight through grouse moorland so it may be closed during shooting season. An alternative route is available.

An easy ramble around Derwent Reservoir from Pow Hill Country Park to the Millstone Picnic area and back. Very easy walking, well signposted and with well maintained paths. Popular with day trippers, take a picnic.

This 8th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues on the Waskerley Way/C2C Cycle Route and gives views across the moorland towards Waskerley Reservoir.