With its peaceful and unspoilt landscapes, Weardale is ideal for walkers and cyclists
Weardale offers a range of spectacular walks and cycle routes - to suit all abilities - and Frosterley offers an ideal base from which to explore them. You'll find information leaflets and route maps for a selection of them in the camping barn, together with an ordinance survey map.
In Search of Frosterley Marble
Three walks from Frosterley Railway Station of between 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes on which you can view various examples of our famous Frosterley Marble, a distinctive black fossil encrusted limestone.
When we did the second of these walks recently we spotted 15 different species of birds: swift, swallow, crow, wagtail, black-headed gull, bluetit, blackbird, magpie, thrush, pheasant, duck, heron, lapwing, oystercatcher, chicken. Can you beat our record?
Cycling in the North Pennines
Frosterley to Waskerley
This route is a 14.25 miles (23 kms) 'do in a
day' route for mountain and hybrid bikes, with 60% of the route off
road. Full details can be found in the Wheels to the Wild guide. A map showing the location of a number of cycling routes (including the National Cycle Network) can be found here.
C2C Cycle Route
We're very handy for the c2c cycle route as we're only 2 miles down the road from Stanhope. You'll find the barn very welcoming and comfortable after a hard day's cycling!
Hamsterley Trailblazers
This local organisation has worked hard to turn nearby Hamsterley Forest into a mountain bikers paradise! They helped raise funding to construct four cycle routes in the forest of varying levels so there is something for everyone, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Check out their website for details of MTB events and rides.
Wheels to the Wild
This three day tour of the North Pennines, 70 miles (122 kms) long,
follows surfaced roads, most of which are quiet lanes, with some
opportunites for off-road alternatives in some places.
One of the views across the dale from above Frosterley at springtime
Walking in the North Pennines
The Weardale Way
This long distance walk of 77 miles (124 kms) runs for the most part
along the River Wear, from its mouth at Sunderland to its source at
Killhope, and comes right through Frosterley. It treats you to some of
the most spectacular scenery Weardale has to offer.
Hay Meadow Walk in Weardale
A five kilometre (2 hour) walk following public rights of way, quiet country lanes and farm tracks near Ireshopeburn. It crosses some beautiful meadows, with superb views of the surrounding moorland and villages. The best time to go is between April and August.
Village Walks and Weardale Cycle Routes
There are many walks around Weardale's peaceful and picturesque villages,
including nearby Stanhope and Wolsingham, as well as St. John's Chapel
and Cowshill. And a whole range of cycle routes that take in our local villages as well as Bishop Auckland, Edmundbyers and Killhope. You'll find a copy of the Durham Dales Walking & Cycling Routes
in Wear Valley booklet in our camping barn for you to borrow during your visit.
The Bollihope Burn (left) and wild orchids (right) can both be seen on walks around Frosterley
Hamsterley Forest
This 2000 hectares of mixed woodland has several waymarked walks, cycle routes and horse trails. All levels and abilities are catered for.
Cromer House Camping Barn provides under-cover lock up cycle storage, facilities for washing down muddy boots and equipment, a washing machine and drying area, and cycle repair kits. If you want to hire bikes when you get here, we recommend you try Dale Bike Hire who will deliver and are based in the heart of Weardale or if you want to explore Hamsterley Forest by bike, try Wood N Wheels cycle hire.
More information in advance of your visit can be obtained via Tourist Information at the Durham Dales Centre, from the North Pennines AONB Partnership or from the Visit County Durham website.