CONTENTS

EDMUNDBYERS is the only complete example, but other route plans are accessible.

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THE WALKS

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1. ALLENSFORD SHORT CIRCULAR. Time: Around 2 hours, Distance: 5.7km (3.5mls), Map: Explorer 307 or Landranger 88.
Starting at Allensford picnic area, parking next to the A68, a few hundred metre away there is more parking, and a shop and toilets next to the camping/caravan park. A pleasant half-day or summer evening walk. The first part of the walk is along the wooded valley of the river Derwent, mature beech trees with garlic and bluebells in spring. Expect to see wagtail, dipper and maybe the shy heron. Hundreds of years ago this area resourced the local sword making industry, and evidence of this industrial past can still be made out. Leaving the valley you walk through woods and fields, lots of birds, as well as deer and hare may be spotted. Views over the Derwent valley, the impressive Hownsgill viaduct (part of the next walk), and the moors in this part of the North Pennines, are all available. This walk is just outside the AONB border, but deserves inclusion.
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK       PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION
2. ALLENSFORD / WASKERLEY WAY. Time: 3 - 4 hours, Distance: 12.5km (7.8mls), Map: Explorer 307.
 Starting as in '1' above. This is a lovely walk through woodland, quiet country lanes, cycleway and riverside. With panoramic views of the Derwent valley and North Pennine moors for much of the way. This substantial route is also a good 'poor weather' option, utilising track, road and good footpaths, never too remote, but very much a country walk. NB if you are afraid of heights the walk across Hownsgill viaduct (120 ft high), though broad, safe and well fenced, may not be to your liking.
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK       PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION
3. BAYBRIDGE / BULBECK COMMON. Time: 2 - 3 hours, Distance: 8km (5mls), Map: Landranger 87.
Starting at Baybridge picnic area, near Blanchland. An initial steep climb of 1km on a tarmac access road gives way to a wonderfully flat route, with wide views across heather grouse moor. It can be boggy in places at certain times. There is a gradual descent through woodland, pasture, then private road (public footpath).
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4. BAYBRIDGE / RIDDLEHAMHOPE. Time: 3 - 4 hours, Distance: 10km (6mls), Map: Landranger 87.
Start at Baybridge picnic area, near Blanchland. The walk begins with an ascent along a private tarmac road (public footpath) to the hamlet of Newbiggin. You then follow a good farm track along the side of the valley, with lovely views over Beldon Burn. The half way point, just past the ruin at Riddlehamhope, takes you across heather moor, where the path may be indistinct in places, so please read the directions and look at the relevant photos. The sense of space and the views down the valley of Devil's Water are worthwhile.
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK        PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION
5. EDMUNDBYERS LEAD MINING TRAIL. Time 4 - 5 hours, Distance 12.4km (7.7 mls), Maps: Landranger 87 & Explorer 307 
Starting from the lower, Stanhope road end of Edmundbyers, the good farm track (except for a wet 100m near the start), takes you along the fellside in the direction of Bolt's Law. Except for 1 steep incline the route is virtually flat. Instead of crossing the Stanhope - Blanchland road to Bolt's Law,  turn back to take the higher level path back to Edmundbyers across heather moor on the Lead Mining Trail.
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK        PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION
6. HOLWICK / HIGH FORCE / LOW FORCE. Time: around 3 hours. Distance: 10.4km (6.5mls) Maps: Landranger 92 or OL 31.
Cross the R. Tees at Middleton in Teesdale, 400m after the bridge take the road to Holwick on your right. Pass the Strathmore Arms after 3 miles when the road climbs a hill. Shortly after the road levels there is a sharp right bend, you go straight on to park by the side of the road in the shadow of Holwick Scars. The walk continues on this track, up into the moorland, before descending down into the Tees Valley, passing both High Force and Low Force. The moorland section can be boggy and the rivers treacherous in wet conditions. 
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK        PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION
7. HOLWICK - MIDDLETON in TEESDALE. Time: 4-5 Hrs. Distance: 15.5 km(9.6 miles), Maps: Landranger 92 or OL 31 
The first section takes you onto the high fells, south of the R.Tees, excellent views of upper Teesdale, then Lunedale with the two reservoirs, Selset and Grassholme, then a Birds-eye view of Middleton itself. After descending towards Middleton the route follows the Pennine Way upriver along the south bank of the Tees. This is a riot of flowers, especially in May and June. You leave the riverside at Low Force to go back to Holwick and the impressive Holwick Scar. 
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8. STANHOPE / FROSTERLEY. Time: 3 - 4 hours, Distance: 10km (6mls), Maps: Landranger 92 & Explorer OL31.
Parking at the Dales Centre, A689, Stanhope. The market town of Stanhope, leading to Upper Weardale is well worth a visit in its' own right. This route takes you past the newly opened steam railway, running from Wolsingham to Stanhope, (with plans for future expansion). Following alongside the line on a quiet country road , to Frosterley village, where there is a station. You then climb up onto the fells overlooking  Upper Weardale and Stanhope. There is a whole range of upland birds and plants, as well as uncountable rabbits. The path crosses the moor before descending to a woodland glen, before crossing pasture back to Stanhope. 
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9. STANHOPE / CRAWLEYSIDE. Time: 2.5 - 3 hours, Distance: 7.5km (4.5 mls), Map: Explorer 307.
Parking at the Dales Centre, Stanhope. This is a pleasant half-day or summer evening walk. The early stages take you through mature woodland, resplendent with bluebells, wild garlic and primroses in spring. After passing through the remnants of a fluorspar mine, you go up to the heather-clad grouse moors, beautifully purple from August to September. Crossing the B6278 at your highest point, then following the track of Crawleyside incline towards Crawleyside. You then contour east along the edge of the moor, overlooking Stanhope and the Wear valley, before descending back down to Stanhope town. 
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10. WASKERLEY / MUGGLESWICK. Time: 4 - 5 hours, Distance: 12km (7.4 mls), Maps Landranger 87 & Explorer 307
Parking opposite the Moorcock Inn or at Waskerley picnic area. Mainly undulating grouse moor, lots of bird life, fantastic views of moors and the Derwent valley. Very few walkers, remoteness within reach. Can be boggy. Not advised in foggy conditions. 
INTERACTIVE MAP         START VIRTUAL WALK        PRINTABLE ROUTE PLAN & DESCRIPTION

 

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