Castleside - Crooked Oak - Muggleswick - Horsleyhope - Castleside

Alan Anderson

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This undulating route that straddles the borders of County Durham and Northumberland is located in the triangle bounded by Consett, Derwent Reservoir and the moorland of Muggleswick Common. The walk includes wooded gorges, open fields, farm tracks, quiet surfaced roads and moorland.

Starting from the elevated village of Castleside, the walk immediately encounters a wooded gorge before a little field- and road-walking brings you to the splendid River Derwent wooded gorge for a brief foray over the border into the county of Northumberland. To re-enter County Durham you must then ford the River Derwent, after which the route skirts the isolated Muggleswick Park Moor that provides the first of many great panoramic views.

From here the route travels along a winding, undulating farm track to emerge at Goldhill Farm, the highest point of the walk. The route then descends through fields to pass through the wooded valley of the Horslehope Burn before once again rising to provide more panoramic views. The last lap of the walk starts with a descent through fields, through the wooded valley of the Wharnley Burn, followed by a final steep rise back into Castleside.

Note that the River Derwent needs to be forded (i.e. waded across) at one point on the walk. If the river is high an alternative route is suggested.

England - North England - Durham - Derwent Valley

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Pub, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland

4/11/2016 - Dave Thirlwell

Thoroughly enjoyed this walk. Lots if interest and great views. A lot of stiles to negotiate some of which are dog needed help getting over. Couple of things to note. The stile in the wall at point no 22 was in a bad state of repair and looked like it would collapse if used, fortunately there was a gate to the right around corner that opened that gave access to the field. Further on at junctions 23 and 24 a diversion was in place so you cant follow the guide but its straightforward to navigate with good way markers. Finally the derelict Low Horsley Farm at 24 is not anymore and is a very nice residence with an odd path across to stiles into and out of the owners garden!