Almost flat: about 35 m of climbing and 36 m of descent; highest point 167 m.
History
The Old Railway Footpath uses part of the railway that carried coal from Chopwell and High Spen collieries to Derwenthaugh on the Tyne, and restored railway trucks stand where the forest road joins the line. The Tyne and Wear Historic Environment Record traces the line to the Garesfield Wagonway, which was first opened in 1801, redesigned in 1819 by George Stephenson and George Hill, and extended to High Spen in 1850. The Consett Iron Company bought it in 1889 and extended it to Chopwell in 1891. Working at Chopwell ceased in 1960, after which the line was used only between Winlaton Mill and Derwenthaugh, for the coke works.
HOOKERGATE LANE-CHOPWELL WOODS ROAD-S/B, 660 m from the start. Directions NZ 141 589HOOKERGATE LANE-BURNOP TERRACE-S/B, 690 m from the start. Directions NZ 141 589Hookergate Lane, 750 m from the start. Directions NZ 143 587
Car parks
Car park (free), 30 m from the start. Directions NZ 137 584Car park (free), 50 m from the start. Directions NZ 137 583Car park (free), 80 m from the start. Directions NZ 137 584
NE 1126Boundary Walk, Chopwell WoodStarts and finishes on this route at Chopwell Wood car park. This route starts and finishes on it at Chopwell Wood car park.
Route line: Forestry England, Recreation routes, under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Forestry England).
