9.65 miles.
Outdoor Leisure Map No OL31 - North Pennines, Teesdale and Weardale
A circular walk in the upper part
of Weardale.
The walk uses minor roads, farm tracks, old lead mining trails, and
farm footpaths.
There are no particular difficulties, though the walk is probably best
done in summer time in clear weather, - to allow for some fine views
of Weardale and the waterfalls along the Weardale Way.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from Weardale village (NY8574839717).
Leave the village heading upstream along the Weardale Way to Cowshill
village.
Cross the river using the Burtreeford Bridge and find the minor road
to Allenheads. Once on this road, at NY8560440575 there is a track leading
NNE uphill. Follow this track until it meets another track coming in
from the left. Just opposite, at NY8546741068, is a gate which opens
onto a mine track. Follow this track in an Easterly direction and you
will be led up to and along Sedling Rake, - an old mining track.
Continue along Sedling Rake until you meet the minor road at NY8847440476.
Follow this road SSW until you come to the broad gated path on your
left at NY883402.
Follow this path in a Southerly direction until you come to the minor
road. Turn left on the minor road, and when you get to Sidehead Farm
take the footpath South at NY8966538669.
When you get to Daddry Shield Bridge, cross the River Wear and return
to Wearhead usng the waymarked Weardale Way.