Rivers
The world famous rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees all have the birthplace high in the North Pennines.
Our rivers are home to otter, water vole, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Birdlife found here includes dipper, common sandpiper, kingfisher and grey wagtail, with gossander where woodland provides opportunities for nesting.
The rivers also have a diverse range of features, such as riffles, shingle banks and pools, which each support a range of plants and animals. Several North Pennine rivers have attractive and sometimes dramatic waterfalls, notably High Force, Low Force, Cauldron Snout and Ashgill Force. As well as being of considerable geological interest, they make an important contribution to a sense of place and are popular places to visit.
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)
Allendale: Hay Time Walk 1
![Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp044.jpg?itok=2eecV8J9)
Allenheads Geotrail
![Above Allenheads © NPAP Above Allenheads © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp020_0.jpg?itok=-pfccDSh)
Alston Training and Adventure Centre
Ashgill Force Waterfall
![Ashgill Force © NPAP/K. Gibson Ashgill Force © NPAP/K. Gibson](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp106.jpg?itok=SB-BpJae)
Baybridge Picnic Area
Blackton Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 14
![Oystercatcher © NPAP Oystercatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp015_0.jpg?itok=BI5KQ66e)
Blanchland
![Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp130.jpg?itok=7xxbbng6)
Blanchland Geotrail
![Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp021.jpg?itok=aLE7vyGV)
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)
Coatenhill Canoes
![Coatenhill Canoes © Coatenhill Canoes Coatenhill Canoes © Coatenhill Canoes](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_1.jpg?itok=_WcWVhCa)
Cow Green Geological Trail
![Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp051_0.jpg?itok=G9tP71fF)
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)
Dufton Pike Open Access Walk
![Dufton Pike © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Dufton Pike © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp096.jpg?itok=GIW-Llg4)
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)
East Allen Valley Wildflower Walk
![Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_0.jpg?itok=hTwX5Wt8)
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)
Eggleton to Romaldkirk - Silver Challenge Walk 3
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_74.jpg?itok=F6FJ53PT)
Epiacum Roman Fort (aka Whitley Castle): Alston through the ages
![Epiacum from the air © English Heritage Epiacum from the air © English Heritage](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp050.jpg?itok=_n2M5mEc)
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)
Harwood Beck and Widdybank: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 3
![Redshank © NPAP Redshank © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp018_0.jpg?itok=Z4bHEXJa)
High Force and Bowlees Geotrail
![High Force © High Force ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/test001.jpg?itok=xpFI-9VP)
Howden Burn (Weardale): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 13
![Lapwing © NPAP Lapwing © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp014_0.jpg?itok=KCb_zlsP)
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)
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)
Low Force River Access Code of Conduct
![Canoeists at Low Force © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Canoeists at Low Force © Natural England/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_56.jpg?itok=NsNeNWQ2)
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)
Middleton to Mickleton - Bronze Challenge Walk 3
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_68.jpg?itok=6SWfIdWq)
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)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Great Knipe
Open access walks in Cumbria: Talkin Fell
![View down the River Gelt Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy View down the River Gelt Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp091.jpg?itok=U47gMLD3)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Thack Moor and Black Fell
![Cottage near Hartside summit © NPAP/Simon Wilson Cottage near Hartside summit © NPAP/Simon Wilson](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp093_0.jpg?itok=SweW-1ZS)
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)
River Wear fishing
![Fly fishing tackle © NPAP/Simon Wilson Fly fishing tackle © NPAP/Simon Wilson](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp131.jpg?itok=jw0TI2wq)
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)
Spring Gentian
![Spring gentian © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Spring gentian © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp047.jpg?itok=9CXGhJxq)
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)
Tees Bank Flowers: Flowers and Ferns Holwick Head Bridge to High Force
Tees Bank Flowers: Flowers and Ferns Wynch Bridge to Scorberry Bridge
Tees Bank Flowers: Flowers between Wynch Bridge and Holwick Head Bridge
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)
Tyne Train Trails -Corbridge to Hexham
Tyne Train Trails: Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle
Tyne Train Trails: Hexham to Haydon Bridge
Upper Teesdale (Hanging Shaw): North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 12
![Black grouse © NPAP Black grouse © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp013_0.jpg?itok=CpHK4uO-)
Upper Teesdale Wildflower Walk
![Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_3.jpg?itok=55rOrfIh)
Walking around Wolsingham
![Hay meadow in Wolsingham © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Hay meadow in Wolsingham © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp066.jpg?itok=X2WXd93q)
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 Adventure Centre
![Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_9.jpg?itok=T67DhAFx)
Weardale Way - Cowshill to Westgate
![Weardale Way marker © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Weardale Way marker © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp079.jpg?itok=ebxm0m_n)
Weardale Way - Eastgate to Stanhope
![Stanhope Bridge © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Stanhope Bridge © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp081.jpg?itok=JvW2yDgr)
Weardale Way - Stanhope to White Kirkley
![Footbridge over the Bollihope Burn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Footbridge over the Bollihope Burn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp082.jpg?itok=RUXR0EEh)
Weardale Way - Westgate to Eastgate via Rookhope
![Wildflowers in Ashy Bank wood near Eastgate © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Wildflowers in Ashy Bank wood near Eastgate © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp080.jpg?itok=C4wGFfW5)
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)
Wearhead: The River Wear starts here
![Brown Hare © Brian Rafferty/www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer.blogspot.co.uk/ Brown Hare © Brian Rafferty/www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer.blogspot.co.uk/](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp064.jpg?itok=7FCxF-4z)
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)
Whitesyke and Bentyfield Mine
![Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp101.jpg?itok=DneOXfpC)
Widdybank Fell Nature Trail: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp076.jpg?itok=8uVkjaco)
Wild Brown Trout - Balderhead Reservoir
![Fly fisherman © NPAP/Shane Harris Fly fisherman © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp072.jpg?itok=mQ08iWf5)
Wild Brown Trout - Cow Green Reservoir
![Preparing the net © NPAP/Shane Harris Preparing the net © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp074.jpg?itok=rFPQjN-V)
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)