{"id":1771,"date":"2023-12-06T00:59:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T00:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phoenixwalks.xyz\/?p=1771"},"modified":"2023-12-11T21:39:43","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T21:39:43","slug":"231201-ebchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/phoenixwalks.xyz\/index.php\/2023\/12\/06\/231201-ebchester\/","title":{"rendered":"231201 Ebchester"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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01-12-23\u00a0 \u00a0EBCHESTER<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Distance 14.2 Km\u00a0 (8.8 miles)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ascent\u00a0 341 m\u00a0 ( 1118 ft)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Average moving speed\u00a0 4.22\u00a0 Km\/hr\u00a0 (2.6 mph)\u00a0 \u00a0 Start\u00a0 10.21\u00a0 am\u00a0 \u00a0Finish\u00a0 15.02 pm\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>

This walk uses the disused Derwent Valley Railway line which carried passengers and goods between Newcastle and Consett.\u00a0 The line which opened in 1867, finally closed in 1962 and most of it was subsequently opened as a bridleway.\u00a0 After overnight snow and slippery side roads we wondered what lay ahead of us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Leaving the bus at the Red Kite, Winlaton Mill, our small group of 4 led by Peter Craig let Heinrich\u2019s group go ahead before following them on a snow covered footpath which headed down towards the R Derwent.\u00a0 We then skirted the Clockburn Drift which gave us nice views of a small ice covered\u00a0 lake.\u00a0 We then completed a loop around\u00a0 Goodshields Haugh, a pleasant walk alongside a tree covered R Derwent.\u00a0 This then brought us onto the Derwent walk.\u00a0 Heading SW we soon crossed the Nine Arches viaduct.\u00a0 After about 1 Km we arrived at a table with forms, an ideal spot for a coffee stop.\u00a0 After the stop we headed on towards Rowlands Gill.\u00a0 After a short distance along the path, I realised that I had left my walking poles at the coffee stop but Peter Webster, the youngest member of the group, hurried back and retrieved them.\u00a0 Thanks Peter<\/span><\/p>

Reaching Rowlands Gill we crossed the A694, failed to find the RoW, but used the grassy area adjacent to the road to reach the path leading to the bridge over the R Derwent.\u00a0 \u00a0Back on the Derwent Walk, we\u00a0 crossed the river and continued to head SW along a mainly straight and level track.\u00a0 With about an inch of snow underfoot the going was still fairly good as the snow was mainly soft and there was little ice around.\u00a0 Approaching Lintz Green railway station we stopped to look at a large wooden Paddington Bear complete with sandwich.\u00a0 All that remains of the actual station is a small section of the two platforms but this is useful as a seat although it has become more overgrown since. our last visit here.\u00a0 However, it was still adequate for our lunch stop.\u00a0 Continuing SW after lunch, we crossed another viaduct over the Pont Burn and shortly after Peter C looked for a path descending from the left side of the railway line.\u00a0 Well, he found it easily enough, but as it was very steep and covered with snow, he decided to forgo the route through Medomsley and continue on the Derwent Walk.\u00a0 Having seen the path, who were we to question his decision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0As we continued along the Walk, it was noticeable that there was only a light covering of snow but the going was still good and not slippery.\u00a0 On the rhs of the path at a somewhat lower level were some very attractive large houses, part of Hamsterly Mill.\u00a0 As the track bent slightly to the right and we left Byerside Wood there were some good views to the north with White Byerside Farm nearby. The track then swung to a southerly direction and climbed slightly (about 80 m from the Pont Burn viaduct) and this meant that there was a greater depth of snow but it still allowed for easy walking.\u00a0 With no trees on the NW side of the track, we had excellent views to the north, We soon reached Ebchester Bank and it was a very short walk up the road to our destination, the Derwent Walk Inn.<\/span><\/p>

Thanks Peter C for a very enjoyable walk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a0Click on any photo to view full screen.\u00a0 \u00a0 Move through the gallery using the\u00a0 \u00a0<\u00a0 >\u00a0 arrows.<\/p>