A full roundup of walks happening in May 2019

by Richard Fletcher

Guided walks take place regularly throughout the year. Here, we bring you all the walks we could find happening in May 2019.

Whether you're wanting to improve your fitness, make new friends, learn new photography and art skills or simply want to get out and about and see more of our beautiful county, there's a Durham ramble for you. Based around different themes, the Durham guided walks list includes walks in locations across the county and aimed at different levels of fitness, so there should be a walk with the distance and terrain to suit you.

Have a look below to see what walks you fancy in May 2019.

Information for each route

The walks are run by the County Council. The cost for each walk is £4 per person aged 16 or over and free for under 16s. Carers accompanying a disabled person can take part for free. Booking isn't required so just turn up; however, if the weather seems bad it might be worth contacting the County Council's Countryside Service on 03000 264 589 to check that the walk is going ahead.

Each of the routes below gives an indication of the general theme of the guided walk such as local history, photography or exercise, as well as how far it is, how long it's expected to take and what the terrain will be like. The postcode is for rough reference as in remote areas it probably won't give the exact spot.

All walks are circular unless otherwise stated.

Read next: See our Durham events page for full listings of what's going on in our county

Waskerley and Tunstall Reservoir, Saturday May 4

This walk requires a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience, and walking boots are essential. Starting at 10am, it lasts six hours and covers 10.5 miles. The walk leader is Steve Shippen and the aim is fitness and good views.

Meet at Waskerley station picnic area, Waskerley Village, off the Castleside to Stanhope road postcode DH8 9DZ. GR NZ 051454. OS map Ex307. Take a packed lunch.

Tilting at Windmills in Coal Measure Country, Sunday May 5

Starting at 11am, this five hour walk covers 6.5 miles and is led by John Burgess. The purpose is local history, nature and geology. Walking boots and a packed lunch are needed, and it's suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

Meet opposite the village hall in East Hedleyhope postcode DL13 4PT. GR NZ 156402. The relevant OS maps are Lr88 and Ex307.

There’s Gold in Them There Hills, Friday May 10

Jo Davies leads this seven mile walk, which starts at 10.30am and lasts four hours. Meet at Waskerley station picnic area, Waskerley village, off the Castleside to Stanhope road postcode DH8 9DZ. The grid reference is NZ 051454 and the relevant OS map is Ex307.

It's suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Walking boots and packed lunch are needed. This walk is about fitness and the great views.

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In Search of a Lead Mining Railway, Saturday May 11

This walk starts at 10am, lasting five hours and covering 10 miles. It needs a very good level of fitness, as well as boots and a packed lunch. It's led by Derek Newby and is about geology and local history. Meet opposite the Black Bull Inn, Bridge End, Frosterley, postcode DL13 2SL. The grid reference is NZ 023368 and the relevant OS map is ExOL31.

Brusselton Woods and Coppy Crooks, Sunday May 12

This new walk is about local history, fitness and nature. It starts at 10.30am and covers eight miles in 4.5 hours. Led by Ian Gray, it is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness. Boots and a packed lunch are required.

Meet outside Shildon Locomotion Museum, off Dale Road, Shildon, postcode DL4 2RE. GR NZ 239255. The OS maps are Lr93, Ex308.

Photography walk: Spring in Hardwick Park, Tuesday May 14

This walk led by Philip Nixon starts at 10am and covers two miles in two hours. Meet at Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield postcode TS21 2DN. The grid reference is NZ 346287 and the OS maps are Lr93, Ex305. It's suitable for most levels of fitness.

See walk leader for free parking pass.

Cockfield and Butterknowle, Tuesday May 14

This local history walk is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness. Take a packed lunch and boots.

It starts at 11am, covering seven and a half miles in four hours, and is led by David and Fiona Eltringham. Meet at the Cockfield War Memorial, Front Street, Cockfield, postcode DL13 5AF. GR NZ 127242. OS map Lr92.

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Burnhope Reservoir and Daddry Shield, Wednesday May 15

This new walk is all about fitness and views. Starting at 10am, it covers 10.5 miles in five and a half hours, and is led by Dianne Hannaby. It's suitable for people with a good level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed.

Meet at the car park by Cattle Market, St Johns Chapel off A689, postcode DL13 1QF. GR NY 886379. OS map Ex0L31.

Birds of the Skerne Valley, Thursday May 16

Have your packed lunch in a bird hide in this nature walk. You'll visit Brightwaters Bishops Fen and Castle Lake Nature reserve. Starting at 9am, it covers six miles in four hours, and is led by John Olley. It's suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness.

Meet at Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield, postcode TS21 2DN. GR NZ 346287. OS maps Lr93, Ex305. See the walk leader for free parking pass.

Coal Barons and Waggon Ways, Friday May 17

This local history walk is also about fitness and the views. It starts at 10.30am, covering 7.5 miles in four hours, and is led by Jo Davies. It's suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed.

Meet at East Castle (the private car park beside the house) off the A693 postcode DH9 8PH. GR NZ 149520. OS map Ex307.

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Local Nature Trail, Saturday May 18

This nature trail is also about fitness and local history. Led by Brian Lander, it's suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed. It covers 12 miles in six hours.

Meet at 10am, on the road to Finchale Priory, opposite Frankland Prison, postcode DH1 5SF. GR NZ 288462. OS map Ex308.

Fairy Flax to Andy Capp: Crimdon to Hartlepool Headland circular walk, Sunday May 19

This local history and nature walk is free. You'll need a good level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. It lasts four hours and cover 8.5 miles, and is led by Deborah Hannaby. Meet at 10am at Crimdon beach car park, off the A1086 at Crimdon, postcode TS27 4BL. GR NZ 483371. OS map Ex306.

The Heritage Coast and Horden, Friday May 24

This new local history walk is suitable for people with a good level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed. It starts at 10.30am and covers seven and a half miles in four hours, led by Dave Drinkwater.

Meet at Easington Colliery car park, Easington Colliery postcode SR8 3RU. GR NZ 439440. OS maps Lr88, Ex308.

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Beginners Guide to Maps and Compasses, Saturday and Sunday May 25-26

This walk starts at 9.30am and lasts for five hours. It's led by David Butler and Ian Schofield and is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed. No dogs.

On day one, you'll cover the theory and practical of maps and compasses in central Durham. On day two, there'll be a six mile practical in Weardale.

A Silva-type compass and OS map ExOL31 - North Pennines are required. Full details are provided on booking. Call 03000 264589 or email countryside@durham.gov.uk to book. The course costs £35 per person for both days.

Three Denes in a Day: Seaham Dene, Rockhouse Dene and Hawthorn Dene, Sunday May 26

This free walk starts at 10.30am and covers nine miles in four hours. It's suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and boots are needed.

It's led by Louise Harrington and is about fitness and nice views. Meet at Tonia's cafe at Seaham Hall beach car park, which is opposite Seaham Hall Hotel, North Road, Seaham, postcode SR7 7AG. GR NZ 421508. OS maps Lr88, Ex308.

Photography walk: Secret Durham, Tuesday May 28

Led by Philip Nixon, this walk starts at 10am and covers two miles in two hours. It's suitable for most levels of fitness.

Meet at the North door of Durham Cathedral. GR NZ 273423. OS maps Lr88, Ex308.

I Bet it’s Bollihope, Wednesday May 29

This new walk needs a very good level of fitness, as well as boots and a packed lunch. It's led by Jo Davies and covers 11 miles in six hours.

Meet at 10am at Bollihope parking area, on the minor road from Frosterley to Bollihope, postcode DL13 2SZ. GR NZ 006349. OS map ExOL31.

On the Rocks, Friday May 31

This fitness and good views walk is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and boots and a packed lunch are needed.

It starts at 10.30am and covers eight miles in four and a half hours, led by Sheila Pinkney and Maria Todd. Meet in Hesledon Village at 17 Front Street, Hesledon, Hartlepool, postcode TS27 4PH. GR NZ 441382. OS map Ex308.

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