9.16 miles.
Explorer Maps No 307- Consett & Derwent Reservoir
This walk starts from the centre
of Chopwell Woods, just outside Rowlands Gill and Gateshead. There is
a visitor car park, and several waymarked routes in these woods.
Our route starts with the "red route", but once the River
Derwent is reached the footpath to Lintzford and the Derwent Valley
walkway are used.
All walking is easy, and poses no particular problem.
In the autumn, the colours proved to be spectaular.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
The start of the walk is from the visitor Car
Park in Chopwell Woods, NZ1369558393.
Follow the "red route" East from the car park, until you reach
the River Derwent at NZ1435657363.
At this point, take the footpath South East to Lintzford Mill.
Continue in a South Easterly direction until you reach the Derwent Valley
walkway, the old railway track bed. Join the walkway and head North East
to the Derwent Bridge at NZ1660757901.
Here retrace your steps for a few yards, before taking the footpath into
Scaife's Wood.
(Caution : Soon after entering the wood, a large number
of discarded beer tins and alcohol bottles indicated that there was a
bit of a "party scene" here. No problem when we passed through,
but it may not be so at other times).
Follow the footpath to where the map shows it to leave the wood. at NZ164575.
At this point there is a plantation rather than the open field as shown
on the map. However, the footpath heading in a South Westerly direction
is fairly clear, and can be followed without any difficulty back to the
Derwent Valley Walkway at NZ154571.
Continue along the walkway until the footpath into Byerside Woods is reached
(NZ1278755965).
Here head in a North Westerly direction, crossing the main road, to reach
the Derwentcote Steel Works (ancient monument).
From the Derwentcote Steel Works, take the footpath to Blackhall Mill,
and then, - via Armondale Farm, to Chopwell Woods.
Once in Chopwell Woods (NZ1231357126), head North to the old railway track
bed, then East to the visitor car park.