Autumn is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of the year as the countryside landscape is transformed into a sea of russet, red and orange-leaved trees.
And what better way to enjoy the beautiful autumnal hues than to lace up those walking boots and get out into the great outdoors?
Luckily for us in the North East, there are a plethora of beautiful walks showcasing the region’s breath-taking landscapes.
Some of the most stunning are in the two national parks; the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
The authorities responsible for each park have a wealth of information on their websites detailing routes across the moors and dales – from short two-mile strolls to day-long hikes – and we’ve listed some of the best below.
Meanwhile, thisisdurham.com is a great source of information for walks in County Durham and we've picked out eight of the best walks for you to enjoy in the region, whatever the weather.
For further information and maps of all the walks visit thisisdurham.com, yorkshiredales.org.uk and northyorkmoors.org.uk
High Force and Bowlees
This four to five mile circular walk, from Bowlees Visitor Centre or High Force Hotel car park, will introduce you to some of the special features of the landscape around High Force and Low Force waterfalls.
From Bowlees car park and Visitor Centre you follow the path down to the impressive Wynch Bridge.
Following the River Tees you pass Low Force, a series of gentle waterfalls, and then on up to High Force, England’s largest waterfall and an area of fascinating geology.
The route will then lead you up into Upper Teesdale, and area of rich and important flora (the most famous being the Blue Gentian), rare bird life such as grouse, lapwing, curlew and redshank, and ancient juniper woodland.
On the return part of the route there is the option to walk to the bottom of High Force, before completing the circle back to Bowlees car park.
Cow Green Geological Trail
Approximately four kilometres each way, this linear trail uses well-marked footpaths and minor roads.
A longer (12km) circular route can be made by continuing past Widdy Bank Farm to the Cow Green road. Allow a full day for the complete walk.
At stop 7 there is a steep, scrambly descent. If you do not want to negotiate this then turn around at the top of Cauldron Snout and return to the car park. (The route is wheel/push chair accessible to this point) - This makes a gentle alternative walk of about 5km.
Stout boots, warm clothing and good waterproofs are advised, as even in summer the weather of Upper Teesdale can be harsh.
This route incorporates Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve. In places the route passes old mine workings, parts of which may be unstable.
The trail will introduce many of the rocks which make the Teesdale landscape so special and which make the dale a haven for rare and interesting plants. Do examine the rocks, minerals and plants you will see along the way but please do not collect them: leave them for others to enjoy.
Hutton le Hole and Lastingham
Enjoy quiet fields, country lanes and moorland tracks on a lovely four-mile circular walk connecting the two moorland villages of Hutton le Hole and Lastingham.
You return across the Spaunton escarpment for some lovely sweeping views.
This walk can easily become a full day out since each village also has an inspiring attraction – namely the fascinating open-air Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton and Lastingham’s St Mary’s church, with its atmospheric eleventh-century crypt.
Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey
The route from the market town of Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey is a well-trodden one, but it never loses its capacity to delight and inspire.
This seven-mile circular route climbs gently for sweeping views of town and castle before dropping down through charming bluebell woods to reach the peaceful village and tranquil ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.
From Rievaulx Abbey, return the same way back to Helmsley.
Lord Stones Walk
It might only be a shade under three miles, but this is a real adventure walk for all the family, with some awe-inspiring views into the bargain.
There’s a striking panorama of Middlesbrough, the Cleveland plain, Roseberry Topping and Cook’s Monument, which you’ll see both on the outward leg and then – after a stiff, stepped climb – on the return section that follows the Cleveland Way National Trail across Cringle Moor.
The start of the trail is in the privately owned Lord Stones Country Park, where there’s access to the ancient stone that gives the walk its name – as well as parking, a café-restaurant and local produce shop.
Staithes and Port Mulgrave
Get some sea air on this four-mile circular walk, starting at the atmospheric old fishing village of Staithes, with its harbourside cottages, cobbled streets and winding alleys.
Leave the sheltered harbour and follow the Cleveland Way National Trail for the first half of the walk, tramping across the high cliffs to Port Mulgrave and enjoying wonderful coastal views.
The return is across fields and through woodland, via the small hamlet of Dalehouse.
Grosmont to Beck Hole
Enjoy the signs of spring on a circular walk of just under five miles from Grosmont that starts with a shady woodland stroll through the bluebells of Doctor’s Wood and Crag Cliff Wood.
Halfway point is the charming riverside hamlet of Beck Hole, before returning alongside the tumbling waters of the Murk Esk, following the line of the original Whitby to Pickering railway – now preserved as ‘The Rail Trail’ (between Goathland, Beck Hole and Grosmont).
Grosmont itself was transformed by the railway, and steam trains are still seen here on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
As the Esk Valley Railway also calls at Grosmont, this is a walk you can access without a car from Whitby, Pickering or Middlesbrough stations.
Aysgarth woods and waterfalls
A short walk through the woods and returning by the spectacular Aysgarth Falls.
The first 500m of this 1.5km footpath runs through Freeholders’ Wood and has great views of the Middle Falls.
The surface here is compact aggregate and the width of the footpath is at least 100cm. All gates are fully accessible and there are benches along the route.
From here, a flight of 70 steps provide access to the Lower Falls. Alternatively, the footpath continues for a further 1km along an unsurfaced grass route.
A further 600m route can be followed from the start along an unsurfaced track through the woodland.
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