Weardale Way

Durham, Tyne and Wear

A route following the River Wear from the sea at the Bede Memorial Cross, Roker to the headwaters in the east Pennines, keeping as close as is possible to the river. After leaving the initially urban surroundings of Sunderland it visits Lumley Castle, Durham (where the Castle and Cathedral forms a World Heritage Site), Bishop Auckland and Stanhope. After Stanhope the Way makes a northward loop to Rookhope to take in part of a tributary, Rookhope Burn.

The Way was upgraded and revised in 2006 with a change to the finish point, previously at Wearhead, now at Killhope. At Wearhead, Killhope and Burnhope Burns combine to form the Wear and the extension is up Killhope Burn.

The River Wear Trail (10 miles and shown on OS Explorer mapping) between Roker and Fatfield runs on both banks of the tidal Wear with parts coincident with the Way.


September 2025. There have been a few reports of problems along this trail. The Durham Cow website, listed below, is the best place to see updates on these issues. The website has a specific updates section.

September 2025. The footbridge at NZ024357, near White Kirkley has been declared closed and is awaiting repair by Durham County Council. As it happens, our available GPX file shows the old, original route in this area, which is actually a currently suitable diversion to avoid the closed footbridge. When the bridge is repaired, our GPX file will be changed to the new route shown on OS mapping.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Named green discs
Attributes:	Easy River Urban World Heritage Site
Start:	NZ407593 - Bede Memorial Cross, Cliffe Park, Roker, Tyne and Wear
Finish:	NY825431 - Killhope Lead Mining Museum, near Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Durham
Web Sites:	Durham CC - Weardale Way Durham Cow - Weardale Way Weardale Way [YouTube video]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Weardale Way Pocket Guide  (Walking Books  - 2021 )

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