Hamsterley Forest
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Ascent: 239 metres
Start/finish: Forest visitor centre, DL13 3NL
This route follows the Three Becks Trail; a signed walking map is available from the visitor centre.
Take the trail north from the start, turning L on a forest track through Low Redford Wood. Follow this to the buildings at Low Redgford and turn R along Ayhope Beck. Turn L over a footbridge at NZ 071313 (1.4 miles/2.3km). Continue, trending R to a crossroads. Turn L then right past Euden Beck Cottage and south to a footbridge. Don’t cross the bridge but turn L and cross the bridge after that then turn right and cross the road, ascending to a track junction. Turn L here and go along the forest road then a surfaced road to a crossroads. Bear L and follow the same track north-east into Windy Bank Wood. Turn L and then R, heading downhill to the Bedburn Beck, then R to return to the start.