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Wolsingham Knitsley Fell, Cabin Hill and Dryerdale Tue 7 July 2026 Going ahead as planned
Wolsingham Knitsley Fell, Cabin Hill and Dryerdale Tue 7 July 2026 Going ahead as planned
Important: In the event of bad weather walks may be cancelled, changed or rescheduled for later in the same week. Please consult the weardale.uk website from 8am on the morning of the walk to confirm the walk is going ahead. Note we are often able to update the website the evening before.
Walk Route:
This walk provides a mix of woodland, farmland and moorland paths and tracks. There is a gentle descent and ascent, but nothing steep or sustained. In parts the footpaths are poorly maintained. At one point we have agreed with the farmer a possible short detour to avoid a field of cows with their calves.
The route heads west through open access woodland from the parking spot and after a short stretch of road heads through the Dryderdale plantation onto moorland. Turning south before St John’s Hall it passes through Doctor’s Gate and then east on a restricted byway to join and follow Stanhope Lane; across the Wolsingham-Hamsterley road we pass through Hoppyland Farm and turn north through fields to ford the Harthope Beck and reach West Shipley Farm. From there, there will be two options: 1.7 miles on field paths, or 0.7 miles along the road to return to cars.
Unfortunately, there is no obvious circular or easy return route for anyone wishing to walk say 2- 3 miles. Dogs are welcome but would need to be on a lead for much of the walk.
Date: Tuesday 7th July 2026
Start time: 10.00am Estimated finish time: 14:00p.m.
Distance c. 7.5 miles Height gain: 300m
Leader: Tim Contact details: 07929 888384 – Tim
Starting Point: Park on Howlea Lane by Knitsley Fell at NZ098343 (W3W: surely.chairing.frowns) where there are lay-bys on both sides of the road just north of the drive to Shipley Moss.
OS Map: North Pennines OS Explorer OL31 NZ 098,343
Walks cost £1 to cover costs and mountain rescue contribution.
Terrain: Mainly path, meadow and some open heather with a short section of quiet road.
Toilets: Wolsingham town centre.
Equipment for this walk: Walking boots and socks, waterproofs, small snack and drink. Long trousers and shirt would help to reduce insect nuisance – horse fly etc)
Dogs: Dogs on a lead are permitted on this walk. (restrictions apply in open access areas but OK for dogs under effective control on public footpath used in this walk)
Accompanied children under 16 and accompanied vulnerable adults are welcome.
Disclaimer: Everyone taking part in any of our group walks does so at their own risk. The group works on the same basis as a group of friends who go out walking together. Walk organisers accept no risk for anyone attending any walk and will not be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss occurring on a walk or in connection with travel to and from a walk. None of our leaders is qualified or has first aid training but a basic first aid kit is available. Participants must read the walk description carefully and assess whether the terrain, distance and height gain of the walk are within their own and their guests’ capabilities and whether their equipment is suitable.