Around Baldersdale

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Walk directions

Head across the dam. At the far end, turn sharp left on a gravel track down to the former Youth Hostel of Blackton Grange. Through the yard, follow the ongoing grass track to a junction near Blackton Bridge. Turn right over Hunder Beck and climb through a gate along the Pennine Way. 

A short distance along, at a three-way signpost beside the first bend, leave ahead on a path across the hillside. Criss a stile in the corner and bear left across two more pastures before reaching a footbridge over How Sike. Climb towards the far top corner of the next enclosure and walk on parallel to the wall on your right. Maintain the same heading from field to field, passing below West Friar House to reach East Friar House. 

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Location
Additional information
  Terrain  - Tracks, field and moor paths and lanes, 19 stiles
  Landscape  - Moor and farmland
  Dog friendliness  - Farming country, dogs should be on leads
  Parking  - Car park by Balderhead dam
  Toilets en route  - None on route
About the walk
Baldersdale is a wild and harsh upland dale, with only a hint of green that surrounds the river impinging on the remote brown ridges of the Cotherstone and Hunderthwaite moors. To the east the river empties into the Tees; to the west just the rocky pork pie-like summit of Shacklesborough breaks the...
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About the area
If the Prince-Bishops of Durham had set out to make their cathedral the greatest tourist attraction in the northeast, they could not have done better. In a sense, that is exactly what they did set out to do.
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Around Baldersdale

Recommended by
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Tracks, field and moor paths and lanes, 19 stiles
  Landscape - Moor and farmland
  Dog friendliness - Farming country, dogs should be on leads
  Parking - Car park by Balderhead dam
  Toilets en route - None on route
About the walk
Baldersdale is a wild and harsh upland dale, with only a hint of green that surrounds the river impinging on the remote brown ridges of the Cotherstone and Hunderthwaite moors. To the east the river empties into the Tees; to the west just the rocky pork pie-like summit of Shacklesborough breaks the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

About the area
Area image
Durham
If the Prince-Bishops of Durham had set out to make their cathedral the greatest tourist attraction in the northeast, they could not have done better. In a sense, that is exactly what they did set out to do.