Causey Arch and the River Team Walk
County Durham
Causey Arch is the world's oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge, a 100 foot sandstone span flung across a leafy gorge above the Causey Burn in 1726. The walk from the picnic area loops out to the arch, along both sides of the wooded ravine and back past the viewpoints, and it is a lovely dog friendly short outing with history to match the views. The Beamish Valley stretches away to the east and you can hear the steam trains of the Tanfield Railway on working days.
Keep dogs on the lead on the arch itself and on the drops along the gorge edge, and take care with younger dogs on the wooden steps that descend to the burn. There is no open livestock grazing but the site is shared with cyclists, horse riders and the railway volunteers. Paths are a mix of tarmac easy access from the car park and rougher stone and timber sections down into the gorge, and parking is free at the signed picnic area.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Picnic tables on site, nearest refreshments at the Tanfield Railway Cafe or Stanley.
- Parking
- Free car park at Causey Arch Picnic Area, signposted from the A6076.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Causey Arch and the River Team Walk dog friendly?
Yes, Causey Arch is a lovely spot for dogs, rated 7.5 out of 10 for dog friendliness on Wildpack Collective. The walk loops through a wooded gorge above the Causey Burn, with no open livestock grazing, making it a relaxed outing for most dogs. There are picnic tables on site and free parking at the signed picnic area, so it's an easy one to plan around.
Can dogs be off lead at Causey Arch and the River Team Walk?
Dogs will need to be kept on the lead on the arch itself and along the gorge edge where there are some significant drops. Away from those areas there is no livestock grazing to worry about, though the site is shared with cyclists and horse riders so it's worth keeping that in mind. The paths down into the gorge include wooden steps and rougher terrain, so lead control is sensible in those sections too, especially with younger or more excitable dogs.
What should I know before visiting Causey Arch and the River Team Walk with my dog?
The paths are a mix of surfaces — tarmac near the car park and rougher stone and timber steps descending into the gorge — so it's worth being prepared for a bit of varied terrain. Take extra care with younger dogs on the wooden steps down to the Causey Burn, as these can be tricky. The site is shared with cyclists, horse riders and Tanfield Railway volunteers, and on working days you may hear (or even spot) steam trains running nearby, which is worth bearing in mind if your dog is noise-sensitive.
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