- START GR 220382 Small Car Park on railway path near Brancepeth
- Head SW along the railway path. After 3.5km the path passes through Willington. Keep straight on at all junctions through the built-
up area.. Stay on the path on an excellent surface to the viaduct leading into Bishop Auckland. - Cross the viaduct and turn left on the road past shops to the Castle gates. Join the A689, descend then climb up on the main road until it crosses over a railway bridge at (223296). Cross to the right hand side of the road and descend onto the railway path below.
- Turn left (NW) onto the Auckland walk. Follow this easily for 5.5km across a couple of minor roads until it appears to end at a T-
junction with a road (245337). Turn left and immediately right onto a farm track. Follow the track past a farm & caravan store to an estate road and housing. - Turn left at the estate road, but after 50m take a single-
track path down the left verge of the road which skirts round the left edge of the houses through two stiles. Turn right at the bottom onto a track which continues to skirt the housing before becoming a delightful woodland path. Descend steeply to the stream, cross the bridge and climb back out of the woods to a tarmac road. Turn right to a T- junction at (254360). The route continues straight ahead (5 metres to the left) along the edge of three fields climbing over the stiles provided. At the track to Coldstream Farm bear slightly left along the edge of the field (not much used) to a stile into the main wood. - Continue along good single-
track through the woods. After 500m dismount and climb down to a 2- plank bridge. Cross and climb following the track under a viaduct to a stone bridge at (265377). Cross the bridge and turn left along a bridleway, back under the viaduct and past Holywell Hall. Turn right at the next junction and follow the road up to the A690. Turn right then immediately left for 200m to join the railway path at (232388)
Turn left along the railway path for just over 1km to the start.
Mainly on OS Landranger Map 93
Easy cycling on two disused railway paths with two very nice woodland sections. Best in May when the bluebells are magnificent
Bishop Auckland & Brandon—29km—Easy
The site for off-
Cyclopaths
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