The Heritage Trail project was conceived to create and enhance a footpath to celebrate Consett’s heritage and industrial history. In linking our tourism and heritage assets across the town to the stunning countryside, the Trail encourages both visitors and residents alike to explore North West Durham.
Taking in existing footpaths and following parts of the C2C cycle route, the Heritage Trail has magnificent views across areas of outstanding natural beauty and as Consett is close to world-renowned tourist attractions such as Beamish Museum and Durham City, it is the perfect place to visit.
The Project Genesis trust is known locally for developing the community assets across the town, including the Consett Urban Park, Fawcett Part, improvements to the C2C route and the Grove Ponds site.
As the Trail is a circular route, walkers can start at any point. Consett town centre is linked to the Derwent River Valley, via the Hownsgill Viaduct and up through the Grove Ponds. All the footpaths have been improved or created with ample signage for locals and tourists to find out more about our Industrial Heritage.
Improvements to the car parks and the addition of picnic tables at specific points on the Trail, mean walkers can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the stunning countryside and access sites such as the former steelworks pumphouse and the Hownsgill Funicular Railway which had been lost to public access and awareness for several decades.
Walking the Heritage Trail
Length of route: 6km (without detours)
Time to walk: approximately 3 hours
Parking is available adjacent to the Trail at Lydgetts Junction and at Pemberton Road. It is a short walk to the Trail from Allensford car park. There are dedicated Heritage Trail way markers throughout the walk. Follow orange arrows for a clockwise route, and green arrows for anticlockwise.
The Trail is unsuitable for cycles, except where it coincides with the National Cycle Routes 7 and 14.
The paths have mostly been surfaced; unsurfaced paths may become muddy and therefore suitable footwear should be worn. Any steep sections of the trail are marked as such, but they are not very long. Please take care on sections of the Trail where the path narrows or becomes steep.
