Lanchester Valley Railway Path

Yes, Lanchester Valley Railway Path is a great choice for a dog walk, earning a 7.5 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The 12-mile traffic-free route follows a former railway line through farmland and the Browney valley, so there's no road traffic to worry about for the majority of the walk. The flat, hard-packed cinder surface is comfortable underfoot for dogs, and the route is flexible enough to suit a short outing or a full day's adventure.

Off-lead opportunities are generous on the open stretches between the villages, making this a rewarding walk for dogs who love to roam. However, you should keep your dog on the lead where the path runs alongside livestock fields, and at the road crossings near Bearpark, Langley Park and Lanchester village. Livestock grazing is common in the surrounding farmland, though the animals are fenced off from the path itself.

There are several car parks along the route — all free — at Broompark, Malton, Lanchester, Hurbuck Cottages and Lydgetts Junction, so you can choose your starting point and how far you'd like to go. There are no facilities on the path itself, but you'll find village shops, pubs and cafes at Lanchester and Langley Park, which makes an out-and-back lunch stop a nice option. If you're planning the full 12-mile end-to-end route from Broompark to Consett, it's worth arranging transport at both ends.