🥾 Walking route
Mineral Valleys Walk: Rookhope (short)
County Durham
- 📏 4.7 km · 2.9 mi
- ⛰ +182 m
- ⏱ 1 hr 15 min
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance4.7 km · 2.9 mi
- Elevation+182 m
- Duration1 hr 15 min
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainMoorland tracks, farm paths and quiet lanes with one steady climb
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDog-friendly, but keep on lead near livestock and open moorland
About this walk
This short circular from the village of Rookhope makes a lively introduction to the North Pennines' mineral country. Setting off from the Rookhope War Memorial, the route climbs out of the valley and heads up towards Peg's Hole Reservoir, with wide views opening across the moors as you gain height.
From the reservoir the walk drops into Lintzgarth Cleugh and follows the line of the Red Burn, a quiet corner where the sounds of running water and moorland birds take over. The path passes Rimey Law Farm before curving back down towards the village, with Rimey Law itself rising to the south.
Back in Rookhope you finish near the Rookhope Inn, a welcome stop after the climb. Those with time to linger can explore the remains of the Rookhope Smelting Mill and the banks of Bolt's Burn, both reminders of the area's long industrial past.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
6 waypoints along the way
- 1
Rookhope War Memorial
- 2
Peg's Hole Reservoir
- 3
Lintzgarth Cleugh
- 4
Red Burn
- 5
Rimey Law Farm
- 6
Rookhope Inn
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Rimey Law
~441 m off the route
Rookhope Smelting Mill
~185 m off the route
Bolt's Burn
~209 m off the route
Rookhope Workingmens Club
~273 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).