Tow Law walks

A lovely circular walk starting from Wolsingham village. It passes through farmland on good tracks and paths up to Tunstall Reservoir. After walking around the reservoir the route returns at a higher level through pastures before descending back to the village. Interesting scenery, great views and mostly well marked with yellow arrows.

This is the riverside walk in the Hamsterley Forest. The path is well marked (follow the blue signs) and very easy. It is pushchair friendly and perfect for little legs. It is dog friendly.  There are several others well marked walking trails and bicycle trails available in the forest. 

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.

This is the 7th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. County Durham is well-known for its towns including Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle as well as Durham City, however today's walk leaves behind the urban areas and heads out into the open countryside. This and the next few sections showcase the wilder side of County Durham. The section continues to follow the C2C cycle path/Waskerley Way and has a number of picnic spots along the way.

This 7th section of the Way of Light begins in the village of Lanchester and crosses farmland, passes nature reserves, the villages of Quebec and Esh Winning and finishes at the entrance to the impressive Ushaw College. This walk is across rolling green fields and passes many farms. It could also be called the walk of the many stiles, gates and cattle grids.

An interesting walk which allows you to explore and appreciate the industrial history of Weardale. You will pass beside old limestone quarries, the remains of a lead mine, lime kilns and climb up to the edges either side of the valley. An optional mid-way stop at the Durham Dales Visitor Centre is a good place of a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Mostly well signposted and following waymarked trails.

This section of the Weardale Way follows the loops of the River Wear. It is a tranquil place with many vistas of the river along the way ending at Sunderland Bridge.

This walk begins at Ushaw College and ends at Durham Cathedral and follows The Way of Light for most of the way. Exploration of Ushaw College and Durham City itself will complement this walk through fields, along cycle paths and through the city itself.

The final section of the Way of Light walk starts in the tranquil setting of Ushaw College, once a seminary, but now a visitor attraction. Before leaving, ensure you check out the chapels which include elements designed by Augustus Pugin. The walk will pass through some of the villages surrounding the city before ascending to Durham Cathedral.

This section of the Way of Light from rural Castleside to the pretty village of Lanchester passes through some of the rolling hilly landscapes of County Durham. The route first passes over the impressive Hownsgill Viaduct then follows the Lanchester Valley Path through farmland.

This short walk from Escomb to Bishop Auckland follows the River Wear. It affords a great view of the Newton Cap Viaduct and allows plenty of time to explore Bishop Auckland.

This section of the walk begins at Whitworth Hall Country Park with its deer, crosses farmland before passing through the pretty village of Tudhoe and then joins the Weardale Way for a short section before reaching the outskirts of Durham City.

This 5th and short section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cycle route through villages and countryside. It can easily be combined with other sections on the route.

This is the 6th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. Continuing to follow the C2C cycle path, the first half of the walk is through urban landscapes, passing through Consett and then into open countryside, following the Saints' Trail the Way of Light to Rowley Station Picnic Area. Rowley Station itself is now in Beamish Museum.

A gentle walk through Auckland Park taking in the River Wear, River Gaunless, Walled Garden and Deer House.

This section of The Way of Life is relatively short to enable you to fully explore Bishop Auckland Castle Park and Binchester Roman Fort, a short diversion from the path.

This shorter section allows follows the Auckland Way for a time before crossing farmland to Whitworth Hall and Deer Park.

The final section of the Gainford to Escomb section of The Way of Life continues across farmland and through small villages finishing at the ancient church in Escomb. A section of this walk follows the Etherley Incline, the route of the first passenger railway in the world. The last part of the walk shares a route with the Weardale Way.

The 5th section of the walk continues through villages in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty starting in Edmundbyers, passing through Muggleswick and finishing in Castleside on the edge of Consett. This section is about taking in the landscapes, open farmland and gentle woodland.

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 part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.

This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.

This 4th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cyle route though open countryside and then through towns and villages ending at Annfield Plain. Interestingly, the coop buildings from Annfield Plain were moved to Beamish Museum which is well worth a visit.