Staindrop walks

This section of the walk crosses farmland and follows country lanes starting in the village of Ingleton and finishing in West Auckland with its numerous interesting and historic buildings.

The Way of Life is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and takes in the religious centre of Bishop Auckland with its castle and art galleries. The trail passes through many County Durham villages from the banks of the River Tees to the banks of the River Wear. Evidence of County Durham's religious and industrial past can be seen throughout the walk including the Etherley Incline, an early railway, Medieval Durham, Escomb Saxon Church and Binchester Roman Fort.

The start of this walk begins at the historic St Mary's Church on the banks of the River Tees in Gainford and passes through farmland and pretty villages finishing in Ingleton.

A short and enjoyable walk from Bowes Museum to Egglestone Abbey, following the River Tees. At the time of writing (July 21) Bowes Museum is still operating a time ticket entry. If you time your visit correctly you can combine a visit to the museum followed by the walk or vice versa. Please note the gates to the museum close at 5:00. If you think you will arrive back later then park your car outside the museum grounds.

A pleasant circular walk starting and finishing at Barnard Castle. It follows the Teesdale Way on the south side of the River Tees and crosses the river via a footbridge north of Cotherstone village. It then heads back on the opposite side of the river. The walking is mostly flat and passes through farm land and riverside woodland.

A picturesque walk along the river Greta, abounds with history and nature.

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.

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.

A pleasant circular walk starting and finishing at Eggleston Hall Nursery and Cafe. It follows the Teesdale Way on the north side of the River Tees and crosses the river via a footbridge north of Cotherstone village. It then heads back on the opposite side of the river to pass through the delightful village of Romaldkirk before the final leg back to Eggleston Hall. (It can also be started from Romaldkirk or Cotherstone)

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.

The 20th section of the trail continues from the village of Bowes through the Greta Valley, following the River Greta to Rutherford Bridge and the waterfalls.

A walk in the North Pennines using a section of disused railway, moorland paths and tracks. The route traverses scenery typical of the area with some views across Teesdale also to be enjoyed.

Easy circular walk through Teesdale Railway Path and Romaldkirk Moor.

A diverse walk crossing open fields, following burbling brooks and a beautiful section of the river Tees incorporating part of the Teesdale way.

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

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 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.

A 100km circular ride starting in Richmond and passing through the Yorkshire Dales taking in the climbs of Kidstones Pass, Fleet Moss and Buttertubs Pass. Great scenery and places for refreshment stops.

A short circular walk along the banks of the River Swale with the chance to explore Easby Abbey, Richmond Castle and the lovely market town of Richmond.
Lots to see and do and you can make a short walk into a full day out. Great Ice cream parlour in the Old Railway Station for the return leg.
About 2 hours for the actual walking but longer if you are exploring.

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.

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 walk is a little more challenging and includes some steep gradients but finishes with a more leisurely walk along the river banks in the city itself finishing at Brown's Boat House next to Elvet Bridge. Along the way the route passes several farms, Croxdale Hall with its Chapel and Shincliffe Hall. These are closed to the public but make good route points.

This walk largely follows the River Browney and then the River Wear passing through managed woodland around the outskirts of Durham City before passing the university and St Oswald's Church before rejoining the banks of the River Wear finishing with a walk along the South Bailey to Durham Cathedral.

A walk of two halves. The first part ascends gently on good tracks, passing the remains of the Old Gang Smelting Mill, before crossing the stream and crossing Melbecks Moor and passing the spoil heaps from the long ceased lead mining industry. The path descends via one of the 'hushes' to the Bunton Level above Gunnerside Gill. The return leg is on grassy paths which contour Brownsey Moor and pass through farmland, often following dry stone walls and passing working farms and traditional barns.

On the western outskirts of Durham. Good pathways through a mixture of the farming and industrial landscape.

This circular walk around Durham takes in parks, old streets and a medieval hospital building. There are many viewpoints from which the River Wear, Durham Cathedral and Castle can be viewed. There are many steep climbs giving a really good feel for the hilly nature of Durham.