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Chester le Street Group

We are the Chester-le-Street Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
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Overview

Rowlands Gill to Low Spen circular: Sunday, 10th August.

A moderate walk of approximately 8.2 miles, enjoying the countryside and woodland of the Derwent valley. There will be plenty of shelter and shade provided as we progress through a mixture of woodland, field edges and some road walking.   

 

 

Starting in Rowlands Gill, we will head north east along the Derwent walk for a short while, before beginning a steady ascent north west towards High Thornley. We then turn west, enjoying views over the Derwent Valley as we head towards Spen Banks. We then descend south to Low Spen and our lunch stop with a view. After lunch we will cross into Chopwell woods to continue south to Lintzford and ascend to Middle Friarside. From here, we turn north east back down to our starting point, where the shop in the car park will be open for Ice cream!

 

Dave Marshall has kindly offered to provide an option for a shorter walk.

Sunday, 10 August 2025
Meeting time:
10:00 am
Start time:
10:30 am
Estimated finish time:
3:00 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
13.2km / 8.2mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
circular

Directions:

From Chester le Street, take the A693 north towards Stanley. Turn right at the main roundabout in Stanley onto Station Road and then sharp left at the small roundabout towards Tantobie. Carry on to the junction at Pickering Nook. Turn right and then immediate left towards Burnopfield. At the next junction turn right for approx 500 yards and turn left, immediately after the terrace houses on the left, down onto Link Road. Turn left at the junction and head down the hill to Rowlands Gill. After you cross the bridge, follow the road right. After approx. 400 yards turn right, just opposite Maquire's Fish shop, and follow the road down into the car park.

Meeting point

Grid reference:
NZ 27520 51929
Nearest postcode:
DH3 3UA
what3words:
icons.gazed.flat
Meeting time:
10:00 am

9.50 am for 10.00am departure at The old Civic Centre car park, Chester le Street, DH3 3UA

Starting point

Grid reference:
NZ 16912 58528
Nearest postcode:
NE39 1LG
what3words:
home.themes.loved
Start time:
10:30 am

The car park immediately in front of the Derwent Caravan park in Rowlands Gill (off Burnopfield Road), NE39 1LG What3words: home.themes.loved There are toilets available here!

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking