County Durham is a great place to go out walking and hiking, and there are plenty of guided walks too. Here's a list of County Durham guided walks for March 2019.

While there are plenty of paths and tracks to follow, and lots of guide books with suggested routes, a guided walk has several benefits: not only do you not need to worry about navigating, but you also get to learn about different aspects of the terrain you're walking through thanks to the expert guide leading the walk. And you've got plenty of fellow walkers for company to chat to on the way.

So pull on your walking boots and try out some of these walks taking place throughout March 2019.

Information for each walk

Each of the guided 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.

The 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 are 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.

Read next: Find out what's on in our county on the Durham events page.

Art walk Durham, Saturday March 9

This short walk led by Sophy Nixon starts in Durham city centre and covers two miles. The focus of the walk is art, so take a sketchpad, pencils and colours. It should take two hours and is suitable for most levels of fitness. Wear stout shoes.

Meet at 10am at the Neptune statue in Durham Marketplace.

Hallgarth Memories, Saturday March 9

This local history walk led by David Mitchell covers eight and a half miles and should take about five hours. Meet at 10am at Littletown Village Green, at the crossroads of Coalford Lane and Littletown Lane, postcode DH6 1PZ and grid reference GR NZ 339433. OS maps are Lr88 and Ex308. Bring a packed lunch.

Westgate to Rookhope, Wednesday March 13

Led by Dianne Hannaby, this new County Durham guided walk is a 12-miler and should take about seven hours to complete. You'll need a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience as well as strong boots. This walk is all about the views and fitness, and you'll need to bring a packed lunch.

Meet at 10am at the car park in Westgate; turn down the narrow lane next to the Hare and Hounds pub, signposted for Brotherlee, and it's over the bridge on the left. Postcode is DL13 1SG and grid reference GR NY 910380. OS maps are Ex307 and OL31.

An Introduction to Hardwick Park, Wednesday March 13

This gentler walk is led by Richard Gater and Geoff Hill. Meet at the Hardwick Park Visitor Centre in Sedgefield at 1.30pm. The postcode for reference is TS21 2DN.

This County Durham guided walk is aimed at fitness, covers two miles and should take two hours. It's suitable for most levels of fitness but, as usual, wear stout shoes.

Iveston Circular, Friday March 15

Led by Jo Davies, this eight mile walk should take about four and a half hours. You'll need to wear boots and have a reasonable level of fitness. It'll have a bit of everything, with some local history, good views, and fitness. Bring a packed lunch.

Meet at 10.30am at the car park next to the Collierley Primary School, Dipton, on the A692. Postcode is DH9 9DL and grid reference GR NZ 154537. The OS maps are Lr88 and Ex307.

In Search of a Treacherous Queen, Saturday March 16

As the name suggests, this County Durham guided walk led by Derek Newby is all about local history. It's nine miles, takes about five hours and needs a reasonable level of fitness, and boots. Bring a packed lunch.

Meet at 10am at Piercebridge near the Foxhole pub. Postcode is DL2 3SJ, grid reference GR NZ 212158. The OS maps are Lr92 and Ex304.

Winston, Wycliffe and Whorlton, Sunday March 17

Another local history walk, this County Durham guided walk is quite long as well, at eight miles, taking about four and a half hours. It's led by David Butler. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.

Meet at 10am on the old road east of Winston off the A67. The postcode is DL2 3QG, grid reference GR NZ 147171 and the OS maps are Lr92 and Ex304.

Photography Walk: Up the Underpass, Tuesday March 19

Led by Philip Nixon, this two mile walk should take about two hours. It's a photography walk, so bring your camera. It's suitable for most fitness levels, but wear stout shoes.

Meet at 10am at Hardwick Park Visitor Centre in Sedgefield. The postcode is TS21 2DN, grid reference GR NZ 346287, and the OS maps are Lr93 and Ex305.

Teesdale Way: Whorlton to Winston, Wednesday March 20

This walk led by Bill Gallon is 12 miles, and will take about six hours. You'll need a good level of fitness, a packed lunch and walking boots. This walk is focused on nature - of which there'll be an abundance on the Teesdale Way.

Meet at 10.30am at the Village Green, Whorlton (please park with consideration). The postcode is DL12 8XE grid reference GR NZ 106148. The OS maps are Lr92 and Ex304.

City’s Edge: Including Stepping Stones, Friday March 22

This walk goes through the Durham Woodland Revival Catchment Area. It's led by Dianne Hannaby and covers nine miles in approximately four and a half hours. It's focused on fitness; you'll need a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.

Meet at 10am at the Broompark Picnic Area, off the B6302. The postcode is DH7 7RJ grid reference GR NZ 251415. The relevant OS maps are Lr88 and Ex308.

Dara’s Delight: A walk in memory of Dara Dastur, Saturday March 23

This walk in memory of walks leader Dara Dastur is led by Neville Mcdonnell. It covers eight miles and should take about four and a half hours. It's got a bit of everything, with some local history, views and nature. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.

Meet at 10am at the Causey Arch car park, on the west side of the A6076 near Stanley. Postcode is NE16 5EJ, grid reference GR NZ 205562. The relevant OS maps are Lr88 and Ex308.

Whitworth, Bishop Auckland and Old Railway Paths, Tuesday March 26

David and Fiona Eltringham are leading this walk, which goes through the Durham Woodland Revival Catchment Area. It's focused on local history.

It covers 10 miles in about four and a half hours. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.

Meet at 10.30am at the public car park by the River Wear at Low Willington, off the road to Binchester. The postcode is DL15 0DJ, grid reference GR NZ 208345. The OS maps are Lr93 and Ex307.

Ham and Egg, Wednesday March 27

Led by Dianne Hannaby, this walk is about fitness and the views. It's also one of the longest walks, at 14 miles, and will take approximately seven hours. You'll need a very good level of fitness and previous walking experience.

Meet about 10am at the Blackling Hole car park at Hamsterley Forest. The postcode for reference is DL13 5NH. Do not enter through forest drive; use the Windy Bank road and enter half a mile south of Mayland Farm. The grid reference is GR NZ 053275 and the relevant OS maps are Lr92 and ExOL31.

Durham City: Riverside, Woodland and an Iron Age Fort, Friday March 29

This Durham city centre local history walk passes through the Durham Woodland Revival Catchment Area. Led by Dave Drinkwater, it covers six miles and should take three and a half hours. You'll need a reasonable level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch. Meet at 10.30am at the Londonderry statue in Durham Marketplace.

Romaldkirk in the Springtime, Saturday March 30

Janet and Steven Hutchinson lead this local history walk, which covers seven miles in approximately four hours. You'll need a good level of fitness, boots and a packed lunch.

Meet at 10.30am at the Church of St Romald in Romaldkirk village. Please park with consideration. The postcode is DL12 9EE, grid reference GR NY 995221. The relevant OS map is OL31.

Lost and Almost Found, Sunday March 31

The final County Durham guided walk of March 2019, this walk passes through the Durham Woodland Revival Catchment Area. Led by David Butler, this local history walk is suitable for most levels of fitness, but wear stout shoes. It will cover five miles in approximately two and a half hours.

Meet at the Londonderry statue in Durham Marketplace.