Durham Dales, Stanhope Walk in Weardale

DISTANCE: 5.5 KM (3.5 MILES)
GRADE OF WALK: EASY/MODERATE
TIME: 2-3 HOURS
EXPLORER MAP:307

A potted introduction to a classic Durham Dales scenery and heritage. There are villages and attractions worth exploring nearby including Killhope award winning Lead Mining centre; Harehope Quarry environmental education centre; Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, the oldest chapel in the world; and the Weardale Railway.

START/PARKING

There is free parking at the Durham Dales Centre. OS Map Grid Reference NY996392

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

From the Durham Dales Centre turn left along the main road, through the Market Place and continue on along Front Street.

Just before you leave Stanhope turn left into Woodcroft Gardens.

Take the path to the right between the houses that leads across fields to reach Shittlehope Burn.

Cross the footbridge then turn left and follow the burn up-stream along a wooded path.

Re-cross Shittlehope Burn by way of another footbridge. Follow the path up to the left and cross
the stile out onto a field. Cross the field diagonally to the left to a wooden kissing gate, cross to
another wooden kissing gate, and go straight ahead keeping the stone wall on your left. Cross through fields to join a lane and turn right.

Where the lane bends up to the right, turn left along a steep path before Moor Edge Cottage.

The path becomes a grassy track above the houses - head straight on then follow the track round to the left passing above the enclosed plantation. Follow this clear, level track straight on along the top of Crawley Edge.

The track joins a road above the houses of Crawleyside through a gate. Turn left downhill.

Turn left before Campbell House along Field Row leading to Wear View.

Turn right, over two footbridges passing through the old quarries back into Stanhope.