8.0 miles

Explorer Map No 307, Consett & Derwent Reservoir

A thoroughly enjoyable walk, though it helps to have fine weather in order to be able to enjoy some spectacular views.
The outward leg of the walk is up the valley of the Waskerley Beck, and is straightforward in terms of navigation or difficulty of walking.
The walk continues through the woodland of Backstone Back Woods, - a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the half-way point is a spot overlooking the reservoir which makes an ideal picnic spot.
The return leg of the walk is over Wolsingham North Moor, and follows a very clear track. The only difficulty here is that much of the track has been "weather proofed" by bricks and rubble. This makes for some uneven walking.

A map of the route followed has been plotted on the Ordinance Survey mapping website, By selecting the ink below you will be taken to this map, - complete with distances and heights marked on the route.

OS Link

The route shown is on a standard map. To view the route on an Ordinance Survey map, select the icon in the lower right of the screen. If the route is displayed on a 1:50 OS map, zoom in to see the details on a 1:25 OS map.
There is also the option to view the route in a satellite image.

Start from the Demesne Mill Picnic Area car park in Wolsingham (NZ07580 37513).
From the picnic area take the footpath which heads West and then North beside the Waskerley Beck.
Continue on this very clear footpath until you cross a small stream. Just past this crossing, the footpath turns sharp left and follows the edge of a field.
At the end of the field, take the footpath on the right that heads in a Northerly direction to High Doctor Pasture Farm.
Continue Northwards (with a caravan park on your right) to meet the minor road just past Bishop Oak House.
Continue Northwards on the road until you come to the dam at the Tunstall Reservoir.
Cross the dam, then take the footpath Northwards through the Backstone Bank Woods.
When you leave the woods, turn left then follow the footpath beside the Tunstall Reservoir.
There is a beach, with a memorial bench, which makes an ideal picnic spot.
Just a bit further along is an "official" picnic area, beside the reservoir, with picnic tables and benches.
Return by the footpath to the woodland, then continue uphill on the track.
At the top of the hill the track meets the remains of what had once been some railway workings.
At this point, turn right and head Southwards over Wolsingham North Moor using a well-defined track.
Where the track meets a minor road, continue on this road for a short distance before turning right along the farm road towards Baal Hill House Farm.
At the farm, take the track and then footpath due South to meet a minor road .
Just to the left of where the footpath meets this road you will find the Holy Well of St. Aelred and St. Godric.
Turn right and a short distance along the road is a footpath that returns you to Wolsingham and the Demesnes Picnic Area.