10.8 miles.

Explorer Map 305, - Bishop Auckland

Extensive use made of the Auckland Way, - an old railway track bed.
However, the route takes you through Bellburn Wood, which in times of wet weather can be extremely muddy. At other times of the year, this wood is a delight, especially in mid-may when the Bluebells are out.
The route also takes in Whitworth Parish Church, which has some fascinating churchyard memorials.
There are no especially severe gradients, - though there is a climb up some steps on the path heading to Bellburn Wood.

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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 availabe 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 the small car park at New Coundon, - just off the A688 Bishop Auckland - Spennymoor road (NZ22771 30088).
The entrance to this car park from the road is quite difficult to spot. Take care!
Initially, head Northwards along the Auckland Way, but after about 200 yards there is a footpath on your left (just before a wall). Take this footpath into Bishop Auckland.
In Bishop Auckland, continue ahead towards the entrance to the Castle and Palace. Continue ahead towards the River Wear (at the Batts).
Turn right on the riverside footpath and then continue along the road until you come to a signposted footpath in some woodland. THis path ascends uphill using a series of steps.
Follow the footpath towards Vinovium Cottage. Just before you reach the cottage, the footpath into Bellburn Woods is seen on your right.
Follow the footpath through the woods until you reach the Auckland Way (at a bridge over a track).
Now follow the Auckland Way until you come to where the Auckland Way crosses the Whitworth Road, just outside Spennymoor.
At this point, a track is found on the left of the Auckland Way, and leads to a new housing estate.
Before you reach the housing estate, another track leads to Burton Beck Farm.
Just past the farm, the track bears left before meeting a well signposted footpath that leads to the Whitworth Country Park.
When you meet the road, turn right and follow it for a short distance to Whitworth Parish Church.
Now take Hagg Lane (almost opposite the church entry), and follow it to Hagg Plantation.
Where you meet another footpath, turn left and follow this until you are returned to the Auckland Way.
Now follow the Auckland Way to your original starting point.