The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL31, - North Pennines

This walk takes in some of Weardale's rich industrial heritage, but at the same time passes through some extremely attractive countryside.
There are no especial; gradients, and navigation is basically straightforward. However, a 1:25000 map is extremely useful in order to follow field boundaries. Although sections of the route follow the Weardale Way, some of the footpath signs and waymarks are conspicuous by their absence and a map is vital.
The walk is very rewarding, and in good weather when leaves are on the trees would be highly scenic.

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!!

Start from Wolsingham High Street (NZ07440 37206). Although there is a long term car park in Wolsingham (NZ076 375) we have found that there is usually space in the High Street.
Walk down the street to Wolsingham Bridge, and cross the river Wear.
Turn right and take the Weardale Way footpath to the Kingfisher Country Park.
As you approach the buildings of this park, there is a railway crossing on your left with a track to Landieu Farm.
Turn right into the farmyard and cross the farmyard to find the footpath waymark by a farm gate.
Follow the track until you come to a minor road near some quarry workings.
Ignore the permissive way footpath sign (which takes you into the old quarry workings) and instead continue uphill on the road. At the top of the hill, take the footpath on your right.
This footpath takes you to the old Harehope Gill Lead mines and the Bishopley Lime KIlns, then onwards to the hamlet of White Kirkley.
When you reach the road, turn right and in the dip of the valley take the signposted footpath on your left.
Follow this clear footpath beside the Bollihope Burn and old quarry workings until you reach a stone house.
Here turn right and ascend up the hill to Bollihope House Farm.
Immediately opposite the farm buildings, take the waymarked footpath back towards White Kirkley. You will need to follow the field patterns on your map to keep on track.
When you reach the hamlet of Low Bishopley take the waymarked footpath that takes you above the old quarry workings.
Continue on this footpath until you eventually drop down to the railway crossing.
Cross over the railway tracks, then take the footpath that takes you to the Kingfisher Country Park and onwards back to Wolsingham.