Stanhope, Frosterley, Eastgate & Weardale Walking Map

Walking in the area of Stanhope, Frosterley, Eastgate, and the wider Weardale region offers a wonderful mix of upland moorland, tranquil river valleys, and fascinating industrial heritage. This part of County Durham lies within the North Pennines National Landscape (formerly AONB), and is traversed by the Weardale Way, a named footpath that follows the River Wear through varied terrain. Hill walks lead onto windswept heather moors, providing panoramic views and a real sense of wilderness. The River Wear itself offers gentler riverside trails, especially near Stanhope and Frosterley, where limestone cliffs and ancient woodland create a picturesque setting.

The Weardale Railway, a historic line partially restored, adds nostalgic charm with its scenic steam journeys through the valley. Notable historic houses and churches, such as St Thomas’ Church in Stanhope with its fossil tree, and medieval remnants in Eastgate, provide cultural interest. Though inland and upland, the area’s rich landscape, peppered with old stone bridges and viaducts, makes Weardale an outstanding destination for walkers seeking peace, history, and dramatic natural beauty.