Walk stats
- Distance3.5 km · 2.2 mi
- Elevation+83 m
- Duration60 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainWoodland paths and field tracks, gentle undulations
- Best seasonSpring and autumn for woodland colour
- DogsDog friendly, keep on lead near livestock
About this walk
This gentle circular walk begins and ends at Houghall on the outskirts of Durham, following a well-trodden riverside route through a patchwork of woodland and reclaimed countryside. Setting out from Houghall, the trail leads past the former site of Croxdale Colliery, a reminder of the area's industrial past now softened by decades of regrowth.
The path winds through the peaceful Willow Arbour and on into Low Burnhall, a rewilded woodland where young trees mingle with open meadows and quiet field edges. The atmospheric Willow Tunnel forms one of the trail's more memorable moments, a living archway of woven branches that leads walkers back towards the start.
Along the way you are never far from the River Browney and the surrounding pockets of ancient woodland, including North Wood, Saltwell Gill Wood and Blaid's Wood. Durham Community Church sits nearby for those extending their visit. With modest ascent and a compact distance, it is an ideal short outing for an afternoon in the Durham countryside.
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
5 waypoints along the way
- 1
Houghall (start and finish)
- Start / finish
Start and finish of this circular route.
- 2
Croxdale Colliery
- 3
Willow Arbour
- 4
Low Burnhall
- 5
Willow Tunnel
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
River Browney
~397 m off the route
North Wood
~347 m off the route
Saltwell Gill Wood
~416 m off the route
Blaid's Wood
~482 m off the route
Durham Community Church
~349 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).