County Durham Walk
The Derwent Valley is a beautiful wooded area very close to old mining and industrial towns in the North East of England. I walked in Pontburn Woods and on part of the Derwent Walk, which follows the path of a dismantled railway.
Much of Pontburn Woods is owned by the Woodland Trust. I parked on the road near Hamsterley and walked south through mossy green woods, with many oak trees and ferns. There was a small waterfall, but not much water. There are lots of paths through the wood, and I needed my compass to navigate.
Eventually the path emerges on to heathland with spectactular views across to Chopwell Woods, then crosses to a spinney. Each time I came out of the trees there were more ahead to aim for - welcome shade on a very hot day.
The route looped back via a couple of farms and then crosses the road to join the Derwent Walk. The Walk is used by many cyclists and has a good firm surface. The bit I walked on passes over old railway viaducts - I climbed down to the base of one of these, it looked very impressive from below. A seat beside the Walk commemorates a much-loved grandfather - what a good memorial.
I found the walk in an old copy of Country Walking magazine. Some details had changed in the 6 years since it was published, but it was still possible to follow without too much trouble.