Weardale is one of most beautiful parts of County Durham & indeed the whole of Northern England. The countryside is stunning and easily accessible and of all the ways to explore the area, walking remains the most popular. Criss-crossing the landscape, hundreds of miles of public footpaths, former railway lines and quiet country lanes provide an extensive range and variety of walking and cycling routes. From gentle routes suitable for families through to gruelling long-distance circuits for the serious enthusiast, the routes cater for everyone and will help you to discover all that the area has to offer.

Should you wish to stop along the way, you’ll find plenty to do and see. As well as the breathtaking views the area has numerous picturesque villages, all with the facilities you’d expect including public conveniences, tea-rooms, cafes, quaint public houses and specialist shops selling local crafts and produce.

REMEMBER TO BOOK YOUR ROOM EARLY AT THE FOSSIL TREE BED & BREAKFAST STANHOPE in WEARDALE, COUNTY DURHAM

1. From the Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope (directly opposite the Fossil Tree Bed & Breakfast) turn left along the main road, through the Market Place and continue on along Front Street.
2. Just before you leave Stanhope turn left into Woodcroft Gardens.
3. Take the path to the right between the houses that leads across fields to reach Shittlehope Burn.
4. Cross the footbridge then turn left and follow the burn up-stream along a wooded path.
5. 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.
6. Where the lane bends up to the right, turn left along a steep path before Moor Edge Cottage.
7. 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.
8. The track joins a road above the houses of Crawleyside through a gate. Turn left downhill.
9. Turn left before Campbell House along Field Row leading to Wear View.
10. Turn right, over two footbridges passing through the old quarries back into Stanhope.

THERE ARE A HUNDRED WALKS TO DO WITHIN THE WEAR VALLEY (Ranging in levels of length and difficulty)

For the more energetic walkers you may wish to complete :-

THE WEARDALE WALK

This long distance walk is 77 miles / 124 kilometres in length running through the “Land of the Prince Bishops”County Durham. Steeped in history, beauty and a variety of landscapes this must rank as one of the Ways not to be missed.
The Way follows principally the meandering line of the Wear River either from its mouth at Sunderland to close to it’s source in the North Pennines at Killhope or it can be walked in the opposite direction travelling in a general NE direction. Whichever direction, this walk offers some insight into the industrial heritage of Co. Durham, takes you past the World Heritage Site of Durham’s Cathedral and Castle, visiting sites of Roman and Norman settlements, and enjoys the unspoiled countryside of the river and dale that forms a part of the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE FOSSIL TREE B&B AVAILABLE (From £22 pppn including full "Weardale Breakfast)