Durham may be very well known for its impressive Norman cathedral and excellent university but there’s plenty of gorgeous countryside to escape to outside the city. So where are the best walking routes in County Durham? This Is Durham has rounded up some of the best walks in the area.
Derwent Reservoir Walk
Distance: Two miles from Visitor Centre to Pow Hill Country Park. (3.5 miles to Millshield picnic site)
Grade: Easy
Walkers on this route can explore the wildlife and history of Derwent Reservoir while taking in breathtaking views.
The walk is easy, comfortable walking and is suitable for cyclists, walkers, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Durham Heritage Coast Walk
Distance: 11 miles
Grade: Moderate
The Durham Coastal Footpath is an 11-mile walking route from Seaham in the north to Crimdon in the south.
It leads through stunning clifftop scenery with links into coastal villages each with their own special stories to tell.
There are plenty of superb views to enjoy, for instance, out to Whitby from Nose’s Point on a clear day.
There are also the smugglers’ caves of Blackhall Rocks to ogle.
Low and High Force Waterfalls
Distance: Five miles
Grade: Moderate
This circular walk takes walkers through the stunning landscape of Upper Teesdale, within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The route includes Low and High Force waterfalls – the most spectacular natural features in the Durham Dales.
Weardale Way
Distance: 77 miles
A long-distance walk, this runs through the “Land of the Prince Bishops”.
The Weardale Way is steeped in history, beauty and a variety of landscapes – and is one of the Ways not to be missed.
As well as countryside it will take you past the World Heritage Site of Durham’s Cathedral and Castles plus sites of Roman and Norman settlements.
Teesdale Way
Distance: 92 miles
Grade: Moderate
If you’re after something even longer, there’s the Teesdale Way which, in its entirety, is a 92-mile route which follows the River Tees from its source at Dufton in Cumbria to the sea at South Gare in Teesside.
The part of the walk which crosses Durham county spans from Langdon Beck in the west to Piercebridge in the east.
Highlights include the dramatic landscapes of Upper Teesdale; waterfalls at Low and High Force; Middleton-in-Teesdale and the lovely villages of Egglestone, Romaldkirk and Cotherstone; Romaldkirk’s church (‘The Cathedral of the Dales’); the Fairy Cupboards; the Meeting of the Waters and Barnard Castle to name a few.
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