Woods
Upland woodland was once a much more common feature in the North Pennines landscape, but the remaining woodlands are important for their contribution to the landscape and for the biodiversity which they support.
There are approximately 5,000 hectares of woodland in the North Pennines . There are 930 hectares of ancient and semi-natural woodland, much of which occurs in steep gills, which have been difficult to graze with sheep or clear for agriculture. Others are found along river valleys, particularly the Allen and South Tyne. Conifer plantations make up a substantial proportion of the woodland cover of the AONB, but there are also mixed ash, oak and wet woodlands. Some of the conifer plantations support red squirrel populations such as at Killhope Museum. Some great woodlands to visit include Derwent Gorge and Muggleswick wood, Allen Banks and Staward Gorge and Hamsterley Forest.
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 3
![Pied flycatcher © NPAP Pied flycatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp004_0.jpg?itok=oYZTOkcP)
Allen Banks Geotrail
Blanchland: Along the river bank (A trail of three tails!)
![Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp056_0.jpg?itok=BwswrLzT)
Blanchland: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 5
![Dipper © NPAP Dipper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp006_0.jpg?itok=waqf8w5u)
Bowlees Visitor Centre
![Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_19.jpg?itok=Z9HzuFBE)
Derwent Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 6
![Redstart © NPAP Redstart © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp007_0.jpg?itok=O3Be9fbn)
Derwent Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 1
![Black headed gull © NPAP Black headed gull © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp016_0.jpg?itok=px8Gtxux)
Dufton Pike: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 11
![Wheatear © NPAP Wheatear © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp012_0.jpg?itok=p4o8vgsS)
Eden Outdoor Adventures
![Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp136_0.jpg?itok=W-LRsp8o)
Egglesburn Wood
![Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_20.jpg?itok=p65YJQi5)
Garrigill Round
![Moorland above the South Tyne Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Moorland above the South Tyne Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp084.jpg?itok=h22SX5HP)
Garrigill: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 10
![Common sandpiper © NPAP Common sandpiper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp011_1.jpg?itok=ZQmYTICm)
Hamsterley Forest
![Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_23.jpg?itok=lv-4Mgf-)
Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Horse
![Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_62.jpg?itok=BycqRZgn)
Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_61.jpg?itok=xGjHY5ko)
Hayberries Nature Reserve
![Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_21.jpg?itok=eyOq8F1O)
Ireshopeburn (Weardale): Hay Time Walk 2
![Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp045.jpg?itok=AmkldBH5)
Isaacs Tea Trail
![© Roger Morris © Roger Morris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_2.jpg?itok=33ii50L1)
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
![Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_24.jpg?itok=LWcNihY0)
Lambley and the South Tyne: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 1
![Curlew © NPAP Curlew © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp003_0.jpg?itok=7dxyoqjw)
Low Barns Nature Reserve
![Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp120.jpg?itok=dWH3XUfC)
Low Force Geotrail
![Low Force in Teesdale © NPAP/Simon Wilson Low Force in Teesdale © NPAP/Simon Wilson](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp001.jpg?itok=pCdl_FXs)
Mickleton to Middleton
![River Tees © NPAP River Tees © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_54.jpg?itok=BSIA-reP)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Geltsdale
![Binney Bank wood below Tarnmonath Fell © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Binney Bank wood below Tarnmonath Fell © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp090.jpg?itok=v1hop-oi)
Over the hill to Cowbyre Farm
![Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp055.jpg?itok=Ewo9LB_O)
RSPB Geltsdale Walking Trails
![Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp104.jpg?itok=8nBIeZZn)
Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail
![Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp022.jpg?itok=wP5ldXI9)
St John's Chapel: Farming, Mining and Methodism
![Coronation Bridge in Ireshopeburn, Weardale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Coronation Bridge in Ireshopeburn, Weardale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp063.jpg?itok=VDKJ9TGK)
Take a walk in the woods…
![Walker at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Walker at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp053_0.jpg?itok=Zx9mMNIq)
Taste Trails: Allendale to Whitfield Circular
![Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp124.jpg?itok=ewe2wHkb)
The Garden Station
![The Garden Station © The Garden Station The Garden Station © The Garden Station](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp144.jpg?itok=cNuKDBOf)
The National Trust - Allen Banks and Staward Gorge woodland walk
![Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp071_0.jpg?itok=czxoVU0w)
Tindale Tarn: North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 2
![Wigeon © NPAP Wigeon © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp002_0.jpg?itok=FxVIlCAi)
Tunstall Reservoir Walk
![Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp102.jpg?itok=KjB2b401)
Tyne Train Trails - Riding Mill to Corbridge
Tyne Train Trails -Corbridge to Hexham
Tyne Train Trails: Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle
Tyne Train Trails: Hexham to Haydon Bridge
Walks from Allendale Caravan Park
![River East Allen © NPAP/Shane Harris River East Allen © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp058.jpg?itok=vYYf0rAs)
Waterfalls and wildlife walk: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp077.jpg?itok=KCbxAI_v)
Weardale Way - White Kirkley to Wolsingham
![View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp083.jpg?itok=nVRDEkEi)
Wellhope Moor (Nent Valley): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 9
![Grey partridge © NPAP Grey partridge © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp010_0.jpg?itok=WnggNTDn)
Wild North Discovery
![Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_10.jpg?itok=gro1K41Y)