12.2 miles.
Explorer Map N0 304 - Darlington and Richmond
This can be a linear walk, as well as a "there-and-back"
walk which we did.
There are very few problems with the walk, which uses well signposted
footpaths. There are no especial gradients.
The only problems you may encounter would be after very wet weather,
when the riverside footpaths could be very muddy. There was also some
indication that flooding had occurred at some time in the past.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from Gainford village (NZ1700416816).
Head for the Church, and take the footpath behind the Church to a small
Millennium Park beside the River Tees. Follow the footpath upstream,
beside the river, to where the OS map shows a ford (NZ166165). It would
be extremely foolish to even think about crossing the river of foot
at this point nowadays. Instead, turn round and take the footpath back
to Gainford itself, and then up to the A67.
The Teesdale Way is clearly indicated between Gainford and Winston bridge
(NZ1423816280), and between Winston bridge and Whorlton suspension bridge
(NZ1068914580).
There is only one point where you can take a wrong turn and end up with
an annoying detour in order to return to the correct footpath. As you
head West past Osmond Croft farm (NZ1302515332), the footpath APPEARS
to follow a track down to the river. IT DOESN'T. There is a rather unobtrusive
waymark sign which needs to be looked out for, and which shows the correct
footpath.
DO NOT take the track down to the river at Dubock Pool,
- you will only have to climb all the way back up again!