The Grey Panthers

This walk starts from the village of Middleton-in-Teesdale, and initially passes through a gentle landscape of the Hudeshope Valley, - with woodland and tumbling waterfalls. Further up the valley, though, the land beside the Hudeshope Beck becomes a mixture of rough pastureland and land scarred by earlier lead mining.
After climbing up to the Coldberry Mine Workshops, the walk continues over rough pastureland to a point which looks down into the Coldberry Gutter.
The route descends down the Western section of the gutter, and then returns along a quiet road back into Middleton-in-Teesdale.
There are superb views on this walk, and this is one reason for keeping the walk for fine weather with good visibility. Another reason for walking in good weather is the presence of open mine shafts above the Coldberry Mine Workshops.
The initial climb up the Hudeshope Valley is not too demanding, but the climb up the Coldberry Mine Workshop, and then onwards up the rough pasture, is fairly steep.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers web site, - just use QUO!!

Park In Middleton-in-Teesdale. Although there is a car park in the town centre (NY94771 25391) this is meant to be for Short Term stays only. There are Long Term Stay car parks in nearby Bridge Street (the former Outdoor Studies Centre) and the former Workingmen's Club car park off Rose Terrace.
Head up the road past the church. Ignore the first roadway exit on your left, but take the second exit instead.
Follow the road up the Hudeshope Valley until you reach the remains of some limekilns.
Take the footpath that is to the rear of the limekilns, and follow this Northwards, initially through woodland, but then over pastureland. The path then crosses rough pasture land, with old industrial workings, to emerge at the road between Pikestone Brow Farm and Lodge Sike Farm.
Turn left, cross the Hudeshope Beck, and head up to the Coldberry Mine Workshops (initially follow a track, but then follow with a scramble over old industrial remains).
Behind the Workshop (and beside the old mine entrance) is a gate leading to a footpath. Head Westwards at va bearing of about 260 degrees to reach a stone wall. Follow the wall until you come to the summit above the Coldberry Gutter.
Descend into the Gutter, where there is a gate to allow you into the Western section of the Gutter.
Head Westwards down the Gutter and continue past a track that is on your left (ignore this track).
You will emerge at a farm track and field gate.
Take the farm track South Westwards. THis track emerges at a minor road, just past a flooded quarry.
Turn left at the road, and follow it back to Middleton-in-Teesdale.