Weardale Way - Westgate to Eastgate via Rookhope

The second section of the Weardale Way involves a fairly steep climb up Heights Pasture, above Westgate, before dropping down into the old mining village of Rookhope. The famed poet WH Auden once visited Rookhope as a child and he drew inspiration for many of his works from the North Pennine landscape. From Rookhope the trail heads back down into the Wear Valley following the Rookhope Burn all the way to small village of Eastgate. Eastgate marks the boundary of the former woodland where the Prince Bishops of Durham hunted deer.
Wildflowers in Ashy Bank wood near Eastgate © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy

Location: 

Starting from the car park at Haswicks in Westgate.

Distance: 

13 km

Terrain: 

  • Boggy ground
  • Off road sections
  • On road sections
  • Steep sections

Area: 

Access: 

  • Car parking
  • Public transport

Interests: 

Facilities nearby: 

  • Pub
  • Toilets