Molten volcanic rock solidified to create the Whin Sill, a thick sill of dolerite which is still a feature of the North East landscape to this day, resisting erosion and channelling the River Tees over steep drops, gentler slopes and stepped surfaces. By far the most dramatic waterfall in Upper Teesdale — and one of the most impressive in the whole of the UK — is High Force. The River Tees drops 70ft over the falls, crashing into the pool below. Thousands of visitors descend the maintained woodland walk at High Force every year to enjoy the stunning scenery.
In middle age, in fact, it is one of my top three places on earth. In our hall is an old railway poster, bought at auction for more money than was strictly sensible.
Barnard Castle is great. Not for nothing is the woodland along this stretch known as Paradise. Starting in Hamsterley Forest this lollipop-shaped mountain bike route takes you across the moors to Eggleston and back. Best ridden on a dry day when there has been a dry spell beforehand! External link: Eggleston Moors - Hamsterley Forest. Hamsterley Forest - Red Trail. A mountain bike trail for real adventurers who want to spend the day exploring the further reaches of Hamsterley Forest.
The route follows the Blue Trail to the Grove before heading into the wider forest on a mixture of forest road and singletrack. Superb views await at the top of the forest overlooking Eggleston Moor before returning to the Grove via the Euden Beck on breathtaking stretches of singletrack.
Distance: 22 km. External link: Red Trail - Hamsterley Forest. Hamsterley Forest - Skills Loop. This is a purpose built mountain bike training loop. It is designed with skill development in mind to push your mountain biking to a new level. The Loop contains a multitude of features and riding options, some built in stone to mimic natural trails and others from timber in the North Shore style.
Each feature has a skills tips board containing information to help perfect your technique. When you reach the bottom you can either exit The Loop or go back to the top via the climb trail. The training loop is aimed at anybody confident at riding Blue Grade trail or above, but beware it contains features of all grades from Blue to Black.
External link: Skill Loop - Hamsterley Forest. Hamsterley Half Century. The Hamsterley Half Century is a 50km Distance: 50 km. External link: The Hamsterley Half Century.
Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Horse. It's a ride of contrasts - in the forest and out over the open moor. Accessible toilets, Cafe, Playground, Toilets. Interests: Industrial heritage, Panoramic views, Woods. Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking. Hamsterley Trail Guide. Access: Car parking, Cycle parking, Pushchair. External link: Hamsterley Forest Trail Guide. Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve. Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve has some of the least improved and species rich upland hay meadows in upper Durham.
The meadows were previously farmed by Hannah Hauxwell, who managed the meadows using traditional methods that avoided adding artificial fertilizers or reseeding. By doing so the species rich habitat hay meadow habitat that evolved over centuries was maintained. When Hannah retired in Durham Wildlife Trust purchased her farm and they now manage it as a nature reserve.
An unmanned visitor centre at the site provides information about Hannah and her special meadows. Note facilities are located at Balderhead Reservoir car park. The reserve is adjacent to the public road a 1. The Pennine Way footpath runs through the reserve. The grid reference refers to the Balderhead Reservoir car park.
Interests: Built heritage, Hay meadows, Reservoirs, Wildlife. The meadows and pastures around Harwood Beck and Widdybank are some of the best places to see breeding waders and black grouse. If you sit quietly in your car you may be rewarded with the sight of a snipe shepherding its chicks through the vegetation or a precocious young lapwing chick pecking for food in the short turf.
Location: Static viewing from a grassy verge on the road to Cow Green Reservoir. Recreation opportunity: Bird watching, Nature watching. Interests: Hay meadows, Moorlands, Panoramic views, Rivers. Hayberries Nature Reserve. Hayberries is a reclaimed sand and gravel quarry which is now a haven for wildlife.
They set up home by burrowing into areas of hard sand found along the old quarry face to the west of the site. This part of the site is fenced to prevent disturbance to the birds. Please do not climb over the fence, the sand martins can be seen quite easily from the car park as they collect nesting material.
The sandy soil is a rare habitat which contains specialist plants as well as invertebrates such as solitary bees and wasps. The grassland has many native species of wildflowers colonising the bare ground.
Of particular note are a number of rare flowers of the Alchemilla family, commonly known as Lady's Mantle, some of which are only found in County Durham.
The ponds attract large numbers of frogs and toads during the breeding season, along with many aquatic plants and insects. The woodland at the eastern end of the site is mainly sycamore with a few old oak and elm trees.
You may see a variety of birds including long-tailed tits, woodpeckers, tree-creepers and heron. Buzzards circle the skies above, along with curlew and lapwing. Location: Hayberries is located on the B between Eggleston and Mickleton, approximately 1. Interests: Wildlife, Woods. High Force and Bowlees Geotrail. This 8km circular walk, from Bowlees Visitor Centre or High Force car park, will introduce you to some of the special features of the landscape around High Force and Low Force waterfalls.
You'll discover rocks with dramatic origins, ice age features, ancient settlements, lead mining heritage and wonderful wildlife. Access: Car parking, Cycle parking, Disabled. Accessible toilets, Cafe, Pub, Shop, Toilets. Recreation opportunity: Bird watching, Nature watching, Picnicking, Walking. Interests: Geology, Hay meadows, Moorlands, Rivers.
Distance: 7 km. Accessible toilets, Cafe, Pub, Toilets. The 4km walk will introduce you to some of the natural landscape features which make this one the most beautiful parts of Teesdale. Look out for interpretation panels along the way that highlight how the landscape has evolved. Distance: 4 km. Interests: Geology. Hudeshope Beck - Bronze Challenge Walk 1. Walk from Middleton-in-Teesdale exploring the Hudeshope Valley.
Distance: 10 km. Short family friendly walk from Middleton-in-Teesdale. Hury Reservoir. Hury is exclusively a fly fishery and is the ideal venue for traditional fly anglers who like to fish with wet and dry flies as well as lures. Stocked weekly, often with grown on fish from our Teesdale fish farm, Hury is a must for traditional fly fishing enthusiasts.
For non-anglers, there is a circular walk around Hury. There is a picnic and play area on the south shore next to the dam wall for you to relax at. Hury is suitable for disabled anglers. Please note, from Wednesday 5 September , day permits for Hury Reservoir are available to buy in person from Grassholme Reservoir, by calling or online at www. External link: Hury Reservoir. Access to Hury Reservoir is only available for stargazing during organised events see www. Hury is also a renowned fly fishery.
Kingsway Adventure Centre. A family run multi-activity centre based in Middleton in Teesdale. Minimum group size - 8 people.
Durham, DL12 0UU. Recreation opportunity: Bushcraft and adventure, Climbing, Outdoor education. External link: Kingsway Adventure Centre. Kirkcarrion - Bronze Challenge Walk 2. Short walk from Middleton-in-Teesdale exploring Kirkcarrion. Kirkcarrion was named after a Brigantean prince who was said to have been buried here in pre-Roman times, but it is thought much more likely that a Bronze-Age tribal chieftain was buried in the barrow. Distance: 5 km. External link: Kirkcarrion - Bronze Challenge Walk 2.
If you are combining the walk with refreshments at the Hotel you may be able to use their car park - please be sure to check with hotel staff before setting out. Distance: 9 km. Low Force Geotrail. This landscape, which has been million years in the making, has been shaped by tropical seas, molten rock, glacial movement and more recently by people. This circular walk will introduce you to some of the special features of this landscape associated with these processes.
By spotting clues in the fields, walls, crags and River Tees you'll find out how to read the landscape and discover more about its fascinating past. Interests: Geology, Hay meadows, Rivers, Woods. Code of conduct which aims to ensure that water sports enthusiasts enjoy Low Force responsibly.
Recreation opportunity: Canoeing and kayaking. Lunedale and Baldersdale - Gold Challenge Walk 4. This walk starting in Middleton-in-Teesdale is a grand tour of Lunedale and Baldersdale. Distance: 25 km. Mickelton - Grassholme Reservoir. This circular It was published as route 3 in the Discover mid Teesdale leaflet Micketon - Romaldkirk - Eggleston.
And finally let us not forget the quaint and pretty stone built country villages and market towns such as Romaldkirk, Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle. All in all, there is a veritable treasure chest to discover and explore from your holiday base at Mickleton Mill Caravan Park.
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