Enjoy a County Durham walk to make the most of the autumn. Here are the guided walks in County Durham throughout October 2019.
As the leaves turn and the weather gets crisper, these walks are a nice way to mark the changing of the seasons. From photography walks and nature rambles through to all-day fitness hikes, there's a programme of regular County Durham guided walks taking place throughout the year.
Below we've listed all the official guided Durham walks for October 2019. You can also check out more local events in our what's on Durham section.
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Information for each County Durham walk
The County Durham walks are run by Durham 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 Durham County Council's Countryside Service on 03000 264 589 to check that the walk is going ahead.
Each of the guided County Durham walks 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 the County Durham guided walks are circular unless otherwise stated.
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County Durham walk #1: To Edmundbyers, Saturday October 5
Starting at 10am, this five and a half hour walk is 11 miles. It requires a good level of fitness and boots are essential. You'll also need to take a packed lunch. It's led by Dianne Hannaby and focuses on fitness and the views.
Meet at Waskerley Station picnic area in Waskerley village, off the Castleside to Stanhope road (DH8 9DZ), grid reference NZ 050453 and the OS map is Ex307.
County Durham walk #2: Photography Walk: Shiver me Timbers! Clarting About on the North Dock, Tuesday October 8
Starting at 10am, this two mile photography walk takes two hours and is led by Philip Nixon. It's suitable for most levels of fitness.
Meet at North Dock Lifeboat Centre, Seaham Harbour, postcode SR7 7EE. The grid reference is NZ 433494 and the relevant OS maps are Lr88 and Ex308.
County Durham walk #3: Coast and Country, Wednesday October 9
This new walk starts at 10am and covers 11 miles in six hours. Led by Dave Drinkwater, it's suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, and you'll need boots and a packed lunch. The focus is on local heritage.
Meet at Tonia's cafe, Seaham Hall beach car park (opposite Seaham Hall Hotel), North Road, Seaham, postcode SR7 7AG. Te grid reference is NZ 421507 and the OS map is Ex308.
County Durham walk #4: Wolsingham North Moor, Friday October 11
This four hour, eight mile walk starts at 10am. It requires a good level of fitness and boots are essential, as well as a packed lunch. It's led by Dianne Hannaby and focuses on fitness and the views.
Meet at the lay-by on the B6297, the Wolsingham to Tow Law road, a quarter of a mile east of the junction with the B6296, postcode DL13 3HJ. The grid reference is NZ 095380 and the OS map ExOL31.
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County Durham walk #5: Paradise Regained, Saturday October 12
Neville McDonnell leads this 11 mile, five and a half hour walk, which is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness. You'll need boots and a packed lunch, and the walk focuses on local heritage and nature.
Meet at the car park on West Green, West Auckland off the A68, postcode DL14 9HJ. The grid reference is NZ 182263 and the OS maps are Lr92 and Ex305.
County Durham walk #6: Sunderland Bridge and Coxhoe, Tuesday October 15
Starting at 10.30am, this walk is led by David and Fiona Eltringham and covers seven and a half miles in three and a half hours. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch, and it will focus on local heritage.
Meet at Sunderland Bridge, on old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off the B6300, postcode DH6 5JL. The grid reference is NZ 265377 and the OS maps are Lr93 and Ex308.
County Durham walk #7: From Romans to Railways in the Gaunless Valley, Wednesday October 16
Starting at 10am, this seven and a half mile walk takes five hours and is led by Derek Newby. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch, and it will focus on local heritage.
Meet at St Helen Auckland, behind Hollands Tractors, postcode DL14 9AX. The grid reference is NZ 194268 and the OS map Ex305.
County Durham walk #8: The Hisehopes, Friday October 18
This new walk starts at 10.30am, covering eight miles in four and a half hours. It's led by Jo Davies. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch, and it will focus on local heritage, fitness and the great views.
Meet at Waskerley Station picnic area in Waskerley village, off the Castleside to Stanhope road, postcode DH8 9DZ. The grid reference is NZ 050453 and the OS map is Ex307.
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County Durham walk #9: Wilkinson Cut and Collier Law, Saturday October 19
This six hour, 12 mile walk is led by Dianne Hannaby and starts at 10am. It needs a very good level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. Focused on fitness and the lovely views, this is a new walk in the programme.
Meet at the Durham Dales Centre (outside the coffee shop), at Castle Gardens, Stanhope, postcode DL13 2FJ. The grid reference is NY 996392 and OS maps are Ex307 and ExOL31.
County Durham walk #10: Stainton and Mount Eff, Sunday October 20
Led by Ian Gray, this eight mile, four hour walk starts at 10.30am. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch, and it will focus on local heritage, fitness and nature.
Meet at the Post Office, Galgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8BE. Grid reference is NZ 049166 and the OS maps are Lr92 and ExOL31.
County Durham walk #11: Photography Walk: Autumn at Hardwick, Tuesday October 22
This walk led by Philip Nixon is suitable for most levels of fitness, starting at 10am and covering two miles in two hours and focusing on photography.
Meet at Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield, TS21 2DN. The grid reference is NZ 346287 and the OS maps are Lr93 and Ex305.
County Durham walk #12: Limestone Landscapes, Wednesday October 23
This walk is about heritage, nature and the great views. It covers nine miles in five hours and starts at 10am, led by Neville Mcdonnell. It requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.
Meet at Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve car park, on the B1278 between Thornley roundabout and Trimdon, TS29 6NT. The grid reference is NZ 371374 and the relevant OS maps are Lr93 and Ex305.
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County Durham walk #13: Exploring Coxhoe and Cornforth, Friday October 25
This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. Starting at 10.30am, it's led by Dave Drinkwater and covers seven miles in three and a half hours. The focus is local heritage.
Meet at the Coxhoe Active Life Centre, which is signed from the traffic lights in the centre of Coxhoe, taking the first right after turning at the lights, DH6 4DW. The grid reference is NZ 317356 and the OS maps are Lr88 and Ex308.
County Durham walk #14: Shincliffe and Houghall Meander, Saturday October 26
Starting at 10am this walk covers 10 and a half miles in five and a half hours. It's led by Brian Lander and requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. The focus is local heritage and nature.
Meet at Sunderland Bridge, on the old road over the River Wear, Croxdale, off the B6300, postcode DH6 5JL. The grid reference is NZ 265377 and the OS maps are Lr93 and Ex308.
County Durham walk #15: Murder, Beer and a Football World Cup; A walk round West Auckland, Wednesday October 30
This walk starts at 10am and covers six miles in six hours. The focus is local heritage and nature and it requires a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. It's led by Derek Newby.
Meet at St Helen Auckland, behind Hollands Tractors, postcode DL14 9AX. The grid reference is NZ 194268 and the OS map Ex305.
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