Durham Ranks 12 Walking Trails by Distance and Difficulty This Summer

Durham City Council released ratings this week for twelve local walking trails, sorting them by total distance and difficulty grades from easy to strenuous.

Interest in outdoor routes has grown since the council expanded its wellness programs in spring 2025, with more residents turning to nearby paths instead of indoor gyms during warmer months.

The ratings cover routes in Wharton Park and along the River Wear near Elvet Bridge, both maintained under the Durham Parks Trust upkeep schedule that began its latest round of path repairs on 1 June.

Short and easy options

The 2.4 kilometre loop inside Wharton Park earned an easy rating for its flat gravel surface and benches every 400 metres. Walkers start at the park entrance on North Road and finish near the café at the south end. A second easy trail, the 3.1 kilometre stretch from Elvet Bridge downstream to the old railway viaduct, stays level beside the water and passes the Durham University boathouse.

Moderate and longer routes

The 7.8 kilometre path through Flass Vale and Aykley Heads received a moderate label because of two steady climbs and some uneven ground after rain. It begins at the car park on Gilesgate and ends at the viewpoint above the cathedral. A tougher 11.2 kilometre option follows the Wear upstream from Neville’s Cross to Crook Hall gardens, with one steep section near the old mill and a total elevation gain of 185 metres.

The council guide records that 1,842 people logged walks on these trails during June, a 22 percent rise from the same month in 2024. Group sessions run by the Durham Wellness Initiative cost £4 per person and meet every Tuesday at 09:30 outside the Wharton Park gate.

Residents can download the updated trail map from the council website or pick up printed copies at the Durham Library on Claypath before heading out.