Lanchester Valley Railway Path
County Durham
The Lanchester Valley Railway Path is a 12 mile traffic free route tracing the old Consett branch line between Broompark, just outside Durham City, and Consett, passing Bearpark, Langley Park, Lanchester and Knitsley along the way. It is the sort of dog friendly walk where you can pick your distance: a two mile taster from Malton, an out and back to a village pub for lunch, or the full twelve mile stretch end to end with transport at both ends.
Off-lead is generous on the open sections between villages, but keep dogs on the lead where the path runs beside livestock fields and around the road crossings at Bearpark, Langley Park and Lanchester village. Livestock grazing is common in the surrounding farmland but fenced off the path. The surface is a consistent hard-packed cinder and stone suitable for paws, buggies and bikes, with small car parks at Broompark, Malton, Lanchester and Hurbuck Cottages.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 19.5 km (12.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 5 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Historic
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Village shops, pubs and cafes at Lanchester and Langley Park; no facilities on the path itself.
- Parking
- Free small car parks at Broompark, Malton, Lanchester, Hurbuck Cottages and Lydgetts Junction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lanchester Valley Railway Path dog friendly?
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.
Can dogs be off lead at Lanchester Valley Railway Path?
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.
What should I know before visiting Lanchester Valley Railway Path with my dog?
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.
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