9.06 miles.
Explorer Map OL31, - North Pennines, Teesdale and Weardale.
A walk for all seasons. Although it had been raining hard
in the previous few days, there weren't too many muddy sections although
some of the rocks on the path by the river had become slippery. However,
the views from this walk are rewarding at any time of the year.
The first part of the walk is very straightforward, - along the Tees
Railway Walk to Cotherstone. Beyond Cotherstone, until you pick up the
Teesdale Way to return to Romaldkirk, you need to watch the map and
check the footpaths fairly carefully.
Once on the Teesdale Way, however, you basically just have to follow
the footpath markers to return to Romaldkirk.
There are some gradients, but nothing unduly challenging.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the Green at Romaldkirk. There is some limited
parking beside the Green (NY99501 22112).
Head South along the road out of Romaldkirk, and turn right onto the
minor road to Baldersdale. A short distance along this road the Tees
Railway Walk is clearly shown.
Follow the Walk along the old railway track bed to Cotherstone, where
you cross a minor road. St. Oswald's Church is a short distance along
the road into Cotherstone, and is worth diverting to have a look.
Cross the road to continue along the Tees Railway Walk. When you reach
what had been the Railway Station, now a private house, the path is
diverted over a field. When you reach the minor road.
Cross the road and continue along the old railway track bed for about
1/4 mile.
When the footpath clearly comes to an end, and you are forced to leave
this track bed, turn left and take the footpath to Grise Beck Wood.
From here, continue along the waymarked footpath towards Towler Hill
Farm.
Just before the farm, you meet the Teesdale Way. The footpath markers
for this are on a post which can be clearly seen if you are travelling
in the opposite direction. So keep an eye out for them!
Once on the Teesdale Way, simply follow the footpath markers all the
way back to Cotherstone.
From Cotherstone to Romaldkirk, again, follow the footpath markers.
The only point where you need to keep an eye on the map is at NZ007
210. Here the Teesdale Way dips down to follow the river bank for 1/2
mile or so. If you take the path over the field instead you will miss
some spectacular riverside scenery, - but at least will arive back in
Romaldkirk easily enough!