Westgate – Brotherlee – Swinhope - Curry's Allotment – Lingy Rigg – St John's Chapel - Daddry Shield - Windyside

Alan Anderson

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A slightly challenging but rewarding walk that explores four of the walled lanes that lie above Westgate and St John's Chapel on the southern slopes of Upper Weardale. Although the walk is categorised as medium because of its length, it is in fact fairly strenuous on the outward leg. By way of contrast though, one third of the route follows the fledgling River Wear as it meanders downstream.

From Westgate the route heads downstream on the north side of the River Wear before crossing the river at the hamlet of Brotherlee, where a little flat road-walking follows on a quiet road that carries very little traffic. The walk then starts to get serious as the route heads straight into the hills on the south side of the dale up the first of the wide and stony wall-enclosed lanes.

A change of direction follows as the route heads west and traverses the steep-sided gully carrying the Swinhope Burn. After further field-walking, the second enclosed lane is encountered that takes you up onto the lower slopes of Chapel Fell. After a little moorland-walking the route then heads to the valley floor down the last two enclosed lanes before the final section of the walk follows the river downstream to return to Westgate.

The route can be shortened to 6.5 miles by carrying on along the surfaced lane at Waymark 2 to pick up the route again at Waymark 8, missing out the flat section of riverside- and road-walking to and from Brotherlee.

England - North England - Durham - Weardale

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Pub, Public Transport, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

5/4/2023 - Bill Simon

A varied and quite strenuous walk in a beautiful area of Weardale. Although the shortish stretches of open moorland have no clear paths the terrain is generally easy to navigate and the route overall is straight forward to follow. Fantastic views of Weardale from the high ground and the riverside stretches at the start and finish make for a really enjoyable walk. Highly recommended.