Led by Pat

Nine LDWA members (eight from the Cumbria group and one unattached) met at the free car park next to Middleton-in-Teesdale social club, on what turned out to be a lovely day weather-wise.

Leaving the town behind, the route initially followed the mighty Tees downstream then followed a path across farmland to reach the old Tees valley railway line. Near Mickleton the route left the old track bed to follow a minor road up onto the moors from which a sometimes boggy path descended to Hury Reservoir.

After a snack & loo stop here, the walk continued along the length of the reservoir and then alongside the next one, Blackston reservoir. A brief stop was made here to look at the farm which Hannah Hauxwell famously made a hard living from for many years. Across to Baldersdale reservoir for a lunch break and it started to get busy, having seen very few people up to that time.

The final stages of the walk saw a climb then descent to Grassholme reservoir followed by a climb then a long descent on the Pennine Way back to our starting point, two members of the group electing to avoid the last part of the climb and met us where the Pennine Way joins the road just above the town.

Reservoirs and bogs were promised and delivered!

Walk stats: 16 miles (10km) with 1,900ft  (580m) of ascent