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Lead to Encourage Activities Participation and Sport
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WALKING
Introduction
Routes described below include short and middle distance walks. They are all wheelchair friendly but some assistance may be needed at certain points. Routes are based mainly along public footpaths and incorporate places of interest, both historic and cultural and of course the natural environment.
Working in partnership with Durham County Council, ‘Wear Walking for Health’ co-ordinator ensures a safe and enjoyable walk experience for all participants
This is an accredited scheme within the national Walking for Health programme and is a Natural England initiative
The ‘Wear Walking for Health’ co-ordinator and walk leaders along with the group have identified, listed and provided comments on walks completed throughout 2009 and 2010.
Equipment
Specialist equipment is not necessary for the walks but please wear suitable clothes for the time of year, sensible footwear and bring along waterproofs and a drink. Refreshments are optional as most walks have cafe / tearoom options available nearby
Recreational Walks
Derwent Reservoir
Derwent lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the second largest reservoir in the North East
There are a number of walk options available at the reservoir from the 3 of 5 car parking sites visited by the group
Free car parking with blue badge bays, information / leaflets, refreshments and accessible toilet facilities can be found at the main (north) Dam wall and Fishing Lodge area
Portaloos – including a disabled facility can be found at the car park at the south side of the Dam wall. There is also a self wind audio interpretation board here with information about the reservoir itself plus flora and fauna etc
The Pow Hill Country Park / picnic area has car parking facilities only
The group met and used facilities at the fishing lodge before continuing to the car park at Pow Hill to start the walk
The mainly flat linear route can be as long or short as required, however there is a steep incline near the start where independent wheelchair users may need assistance.
The 1mile linear walk can be extended across the Dam itself for spectacular views across the reservoir and nature reserves
The following audio and video clip is an excellent description of the trail.
Produced by the North Pennines AONB Partnership through its Living North Pennines project, in partnership with Northumbrian Water and Durham County Council, the clip reproduced below, provides audio and video description and information about the Derwent Water Trail and the bird life. Thanks go to the North Pennines AONB Partnership and Northumbrian Water, for adding subtitles to make it more accessible to the deaf.
LEAPS Rating = 4 
Good wheelchair access, though a bit steep in parts.
Good audible service on route and online.
Clear route maps and reasonable facilities at one site,although none at Pow Hill Country Park.
Wolsingham
This mainly flat walk followed the route identified in the ‘Wolsingham Family Walk’ leaflet produced by Wolsingham Wayfarers. It is available for a small fee of 25p from various shops and outlets in Wolsingham.
The 1.5mile circular route uses tarmac and hard-surfaced paths accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 3 Interpretation boards with a map and local points of interest are placed around the route at Demesne Mill, the Recreation Ground and along the riverside path
The walk utilises 2 riverside paths and also quaint streets within Wolsingham
Assistance may be needed for independent wheelchair users at a steep incline leaving Demesne Mill picnic area and also at Meadhope Street
There are several options for car parking in Wolsingham at Demesne picnic area (free), Market Place (2hour limited) and the Recreation ground (small fee payable). A toilet for disabled use is available at the Recreation Ground.
There are tea rooms / cafe in the Market Place.
See calendar of events for time and dates of future walks at Wolsingham
LEAPS Rating = 3 
Bishop Auckland Railway
This mainly flat linear route uses a section of the Bishop Auckland – Brandon Railway Walk. Being linear the walk can be as long or short as required, however there are a couple of steep inclines where independent wheelchair users may need assistance if walking for more than a mile
Follow the lane off the main road through Hunwick village at St Paul’s Church Parking is available at the ‘New Monkey’ car park at Hunwick Station with walking possible in either direction. However the path does narrow significantly if walking towards Willington.
Parking is also available at the Eleven Arches picnic area just off the Bishop Auckland / Toronto viaduct on the A689. There are no amenities on this cinder path route. This is a very well used pleasant walk / cycle / bridleway.
See calendar of events for time and dates of future walks at Bishop Auckland railway
LEAPS Rating = 2 
Hardwick Country Park
Hardwick Park is on the A177 Durham to Stockton road on the west side of Sedgefield
This excellent circular walk at Hardwick Country Park includes a lake, woodland and wildflower meadows as well as picnic areas. The 1mile route has recently been upgraded and is accessible to visitors of all abilities. A leaflet detailing the walks plus historical and environmental information is available from the Visitor Centre. The centre also houses an exhibition area, education room and toilets - all of which are fully accessible.
Interpretation boards are well placed around the walk at points of interest. A Ranger guide may be available for groups if booked in advance.
The surfaced route is mainly flat with no steps, any slopes have easier alternatives. Ample free parking with Blue badge bays available at the site. There is a cafe within the Visitor Centre which is open 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week.
See calendar of events for time and dates of future walks at Hardwick Country Park
LEAPS Rating = 5 
Low Barnes Nature Reserve
From the A68 turn into Witton le Wear and follow the brown signposts (Low Barnes Nature Reserve). From the A689 Crook to Bishop Auckland road follow the signs from High Grange
Low Barnes is one of Durham Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves with lakes and 4 bird hides. All paths including the boardwalk are well surfaced, wheelchair accessible and are described in leaflet available from the visitor centre
The 1.2mile circular walk from the visitor centre can include a short detour to visit the newest hide via an incline to which manual wheelchairs may require assistance. Some areas may become boggy in wet weather.
Interpretation and information boards can be found in the hides and at other points on the walk
The visitor centre is manned by volunteers and is open on weekends and bank holidays from 11am to 3.45pm and includes a coffee shop, toilets and display area. It may be open at other times. The reserve has parking on site near to the Visitor Centre.
See calendar of events for time and dates of future walks at Low Barnes Nature
LEAPS Rating = 4
Ramshaw Railway
This mainly flat linear route uses a section of the West Auckland / Spring Gardens to Ramshaw Railway Walk. Being linear the walk can be as long or short as required, however there is a steep incline where independent wheelchair users may need assistance if walking to Spring Gardens / A68 and beyond into West Auckland
Parking is available at a lay by over the bridge at Ramshaw. The group used parking and toilet facilities at the Bridge Inn, Ramshaw with permission and called back there for refreshments. Local information and interpretation boards are available at Ramshaw at the top of a slight incline and at the Spring Gardens Wetlands loop
There are no amenities on this cinder path route.
This is a very well used pleasant walk / cycle / bridleway
LEAPS Rating = 3
Great North Walk: A review by a participating member.
Three members of LEAPS took part in the Great North Walk in July 2010 to raise funds for LEAPS. The committee and other LEAPS members would like to thank them for their effort and time given up to walk the 10 mile route. The following statement is the view of one of the participants: (photographs to follow)
"The great north walk was situated in North Yorkshire, going around Roseberry Topping 'on a very hot day' ... So it wasn't the most suitable of weather conditions.
The walk was quite boggy in places, so you had to make sure you stayed on the track, because in places if your walking cane was wrongly placed, it could sink up to a foot or two in the bogs we were walking through.
The easiest part of the walk had to be climbing up to the top of Rosebery Topping. But then came the most difficult part of the walk, having to climb back down again.
Other than this the walk was OK, apart from the uneven footpaths, but fortunately I only fell down the once, apart from the stumbles coming down Rosebery Topping.