Westgate to Ireshopeburn - Durham Round Trail

Description

Start : Hare and Hounds, Westgate (DL13 1RX) Grid ref. NY 908 380

(D) From the Hare and Hounds, walk West along Front Street (A689) until you reach the Methodist Chapel. Turn right (North) and walk up the track for 130 m, then bear left through the farmyard and continue North along the track. The field boundary will be on your left. Cross the stile and head towards the farm.

(1) Pass the farm which will be on your left and join the more well-defined track, still heading North. You will now have the Crooked Well (stream) on your right. You will cross the stream and pass a ruined building (High Crooked Well) on your right, continue following the track North-West. The track will reach a gate by a building.

(2) Go through the gate and turn left (South-West) onto Side Head.

(3) After 600 m or so, at the cluster of buildings including Ashbrow Cottage, Side Head will turn Westwards.

(4) When you reach the ruined building and layby on your left, look for the wooden fingerpost and gap in the wall. Turn left through the gap and walk South-Westwards down the hill. Join the track for 100 m then go through the gate and cross the road. Look for a gap in the wall and continue South-West on grass footpath until you reach the track junction with the Weardale Way near the banks of the River Wear.

(5) Turn right and follow the Weardale Way Westwards, St John's Chapel will be visible on the other side of the river. When you reach the Pennine Lodge Campsite, ignore the bridge and continue on the north bank of the River Wear.

(6) At Coronation Bridge go through the gap in the wall. At this point, you can cross the bridge to visit the Weardale Museum which is to your left as you cross the bridge. Return across the bridge after your visit. Rejoin the Weardale Way on the left-hand side of the bridge.

When you reach the next bridge, leave the Weardale Way and turn left to cross the bridge and walk South down Anita's Wy to the A689. Turn right (West) and continue along the road until you reach the centre of Ireshopeburn where you will find the bus stop (A).

Alternative Route 1: From the Hare and Hounds you can follow the Weardale Way all the way to Iresheope Burn. From the Hare and Hounds, turn south and cross the River Wear. Cross the stile at the bottom and turn left following the path to the south of the River Wear. On reaching the ford at Burn Foot, turn left and cross the footbridge. When you reach the junction turn left and walk around the bend, look for the fingerpost on your left. Rejoin the route at (5).

Alternative Route 2 (Accessible): From the Hare and Hounds follow the A689 all the way to Ireshopeburn passing through the villages of Daddry Shield and St John's Chapel which has a number of shops. Although this follows the main road, there is a tarmac footpath albeit narrow in places and this allows an opportunity to explore the villages.