Walking in Weardale Guidebook

by: Keven Shevels
Weardale, the valley of the Prince Bishops, given shortly after the Norman Conquest to the Bishops of Durham to rule as their own, this rugged dale has a long and turbulent history.

Join the author in a series of nine walks as he explores the countryside of this dale from the lower grazing pastures surrounding Wolsingham up to the high, windswept moors of the Pennine watershed. Once heavily exploited for its mineral wealth, this now quiet and tranquil dale is a haven for the walker seeking to broaden their horizons and sample what the Bishops once ruled with a rod of iron.

Each walk chapter begins with a short description of the route plus practical data including distance, ascent, terrain, time, start point with grid reference, OS Explorer map sheet number and suitability for dogs. The route descriptions are clear and comprehensive with grid references given for major navigation points. Each walk has also been assigned a Ferguson Grading System rating and the book gives details of this system and how to interpret the grades. The book includes an informative introduction to the area and is illustrated with colour photographs. The coloured sketch maps that accompany the navigation text give only an outline of the route. We would recommend carrying the relevant OS Explorer map and a compass on these walks.

The walk locations are
Fatherley Hill & Wolsingham Park Moor - 9.5 miles
The Mineral Line & Windy Hill - 8.9 miles
The Bollihope Watershed - 9.4 miles
Back O'Five Pikes - 10.6 miles
Wearhead & Sedling Rake - 7.2 miles
Pawlaw Pike - 7.5 miles
Newlands & Fawnlees - 4.75 miles
Cowhorse Hush & Cuthbert's Level - 5.8 miles
The Quarries of Bollihope - 6.2 miles

ISBN 9781905444533 Pages 112 (2012) 148mm x 210mm