The Grey Panthers

The highlight of this walk is a visit to the Church of the Holy Barn at Laithkirk.
The walk starts from the village green in Romaldkirk, and after visiting the church in Laithkirk the "half-way point" is the village of Middleton-on-Tees.
The majority of this walk is straightforward, and makes use of the Tees Railway Walkway.
From Middleton-on-Tees the walk continues along the Teesdale Way beside the River Tees.
Initially the walk follows an easy path beside the river, but then follow three steep "denes" where the path ascends and descends to sections beside the river via steps.
Further along, and near the end of the walk beside the river, the path has been severely eroded. In heavy weather, when conditions are wet, this may prove to be very difficult to pass, - it is tricky enough in dry weather.
Otherwise, this is a great walk for a Summer's day.

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 on the village green in Romaldkirk (NZ99508 22087).
Head out almost due West along the minor road. Just past the house with the railway signal, take the signposted Tees Railway Walkway to Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Where the Walkway ends, - at Lonton, on your right is a sign directing you on the footpath to Middleton-on-Tees. On the left, there is a "railway stile" which takes you to the footpath to Laithkirk. There is a fairly steep ascent up the bank to this stile. After crossing the stile, bear half left across the field to reach another stile. Here turn left to take the road to Laithkirk.
From Laithkirk, retrace your steps to the Tees Railway Walkway, then follow the clear signposts to follow the footpath to Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Cross the River Tees by the road bridge.
Head up the hill into the village of Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Turn right along the High Street until you come to the bend in the B6282.
Straight ahead is a street, off which a lane branches on your right. This lane leads to a caravan park.
Just before the lane ends, there is a footpath which takes you to the River Tees and the Teesdale Way.
Follow the Teesdale Way until it turns away from the river. Continue on the footpath that follows the river to the footbridge West of Ornella Farm. Cross the river by this bridge.
Continue on the footpath into Mickleton.
Take the lane into MIckleton. Where the lane meets Low Side, turn right and continue to Mill Lane.
Head up Mill Lane to the B6277 and turn left.
Opposite the Blacksmith's Arms pub, take the minor road that leads back to the Tees Railway Walkway.
Return to Romaldkirk via the Walkway.