22nd June 2021| Since January 2021 the footbridge across the Rookhope Burn, approaching the finish of section 3, has been closed and fenced off because it is unsafe. The vehicle bridge is privately owned and is also barriered. Until the footbridge can be repaired, Durham County Council has instituted a diversion from the gate on the railway path NY 940420.
The diversion is pleasant and straightforward, being partly way-marked ‘WW’. It drops down the fell, from the railway path, to cross a stile into Church House Farm, leaving the the property via the big gate beyond the barn. The dogs, if you encounter them, are friendly as is their owner who is ‘pro-walker’; to help keep it that way please be nice and make sure you close the gate behind you.
After leaving the property, cross the Rookhope Burn via a footbridge, continue on Churchgarth Lane past the cemetery, turn R to the road then turn L and continue for a short distance into Rookhope. If you don’t want to visit Rookhope, turn R on the road and continue ~700 m to a stile <WW> over the wall on the L, to another footbridge over the Rookhope Burn (on the published route for Section 4).
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