The Grey Panthers
3 October, - Rookhope & Allenheads
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12.4 miles

Explorer Map OL31, - North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale) / Explorer Map 307, - Consett & Derwent Reservoir

A walk taking in the industrial mining heritage of Weardale.
Although the walk is longer than many of the other "Grey Panthers" walks, it uses roads and tracks which make it somewhat easier underfoot.
The route crosses exposed moorland and summits at about 1600 ft. Although there are no problems with navigation, and there are no especially difficult ascents or descents, consideration should be given to the weather.
In these parts of Weardale, the weather can be a factor that must be considered.
The tracks used over the moor may not be rights of way, so the fact that we used them is no guarantee that they are rights of way.

Memory Map
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 website, - just use QUO!!

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Start from car park by the village hall in Rookhope (NY93732 42867).
Head West along the road from Rookhope to Allenheads. Although the road is usually quiet, care should still be taken.
When you come to the gates to Wolf Cleugh Farm, pass through the gateway. On your right is a track that runs beside the Rookhope Burn. This track takes you to the Groove Rake Mine.
(The track is where the mineral railway from the mine to Rookhope used to run. It may not be a right of way).
At the Groove Rake mine, cross the burn and continue along the moorland track to the mine buildings above Rookhope Head. Continue to the gate that leads on to the Rookhope - Allenheads road.
The gate may be locked, so that you need to climb over it.
Continue on the road into the centre of Allenheads.
There is a footpath that cuts out the section of road which runs through a plantation.
Due to the wet weather we didn't take this footpath, - it crosses some quite rogh ground, and the road offered an easier alternative (though great care is needed with traffic).
From Allenheads, retrace your steps back to Rookhope.