Weardale Way

Durham, Tyne and Wear

A route following the River Wear from the sea at the Bede Memorial Cross, Roker to the headwaters in the east Pennines, keeping as close as is possible to the river. After leaving the initially urban surroundings of Sunderland it visits Lumley Castle, Durham (where the Castle and Cathedral forms a World Heritage Site), Bishop Auckland and Stanhope. After Stanhope the Way makes a northward loop to Rookhope to take in part of a tributary, Rookhope Burn.

The Way was upgraded and revised in 2006 with a change to the finish point, previously at Wearhead, not yet reflected on OS mapping. At Wearhead, Killhope and Burnhope Burns combine to form the Wear and the extension is up Killhope Burn. Nine circular walks around villages, including Rookhope, St John's Chapel and Escomb, are being developed.

The River Wear Trail (10 miles and shown on OS Explorer mapping) between Roker and Fatfield runs on both banks of the tidal Wear with parts coincident with the Way.

FEBRUARY 2024: An impassable stretch of the Weardale Way has been reported at NZ 161310, where it abuts the bank of the River Wear near Witton Park, County Durham. The riverbank has reportedly been eroded away for ?a few years?, though there are reportedly no warning notices.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Named green discs
Attributes:	Easy River Urban World Heritage Site
Start:	NZ407593 - Bede Memorial Cross, Cliffe Park, Roker, Tyne and Wear
Finish:	NY825431 - Killhope Lead Mining Museum, near Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Durham
Web Sites:	Durham CC - Weardale Way Durham Cow - Weardale Way Weardale Way [YouTube video]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Weardale Way Pocket Guide  (Walking Books  - 2021 )

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