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County Durham villages and towns in new Roof of England walk
The Roof of England is a multi-day hike that covers a 301km (188 mile) circular route around the North East countryside, as well as Cumbria and corners of the Yorkshire Dales, such as England’s highest pub.
It can be completed in 14 days or longer in short breaks from locations accessible by public transport.
Keen walkers can expect to see the “far-flung corners” of the North Pennines from “high-level traverses across the moor tops and strolls through colourful hay meadows to relaxing riverside walking and woodland stretches”.
The Roof of England’s website continues: “Discover the area’s rich mining and industrial heritage and immerse yourself in its glorious nature. Experience unrivalled peace and tranquillity and marvel at sparkling clear, inky-black, night skies.
“Feel the wind on your face and the touch of northern rain – we have ‘proper’ weather in the North Pennines. Hear the dramatic and evocative calls of golden plover, curlew and lapwings as they bring the moors alive again in the springtime.”
The Roof of England County Durham and Northumberland locations
Just some of the sections of the Roof of England trail in the North East include:
- Alston to Haltwhistle – leg three (23.8km)
- Haltwhistle to Allendale – leg four (22.8km)
- Allendale to Blanchland – leg five (23.8km)
- Blanchland to Edmundbyers – leg six (8.4km)
- Edmundbyers to Wolsingham – leg seven (23.5km)
- Wolsingham to Stanhope – leg eight (17km)
- Stanhope to St. John’s Chapel – leg nine (18.4km)
- St. John’s Chapel to Saur Hill Bridge – leg 10 (22.8km)
- Saur Hill Bridge to Middleton-in-Teesdale – leg 11 (12.5km)
Highlights include High Force, Low Force, Cross Fell, High Cup Nick, the Nine Standards, dramatic Upper Teesdale, characterful Upper Weardale, Hexhamshire, historic Blanchland, and the Upper Derwent Valley.
The Guardian’s Rhiannon Batten recently took on a 50-mile stint of the walk and said “it’s like striding across the top of the world”.
You can take a look at all 14 sections of the Roof of England walk online.
The Roof of England website explains: “The idea of a grand walking tour of the North Pennines was originally dreamt up by the first chair of what was then the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Councillor Bob Pendlebury.
Top Winter Walks in the UK
“Bob was a leading light in Crook Ramblers, a keen walker and he was enthusiastic about developing a circular walk around the North Pennines – a landscape he loved.”
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Where does the Roof of England Walk start and finish?
The Roof of England Walk, which runs in a clockwise direction, starts and finishes in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.
The North Pennines, which is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, was also designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988.
In November 2023, the area changed its name to North Pennines National Landscape in recognition of its “national significance”.
