This is route heads north from Cow Green reservoir to the top of Teesdale offering walkers some amazing views.

Circular  |  16.3km (10 miles)  |  Difficulty: Easy

Cow Green to Harwood Elevation

There is ample parking at the reservoir which makes it the obvious starting point as there is little parking elsewhere along the route.  The walk is fairly long but offers some amazing views.

1: The route starts at the Cow Green car park. Along the first stretch of the route walkers will see the reservoir, hills along the edge of the Eden Valley and a ‘golf-ball’ radar station. The route follows a single path which leads all the way from the reservoir to the B6277.

2: After reaching the B6277 walkers will need to follow it to the right.  Eventually walkers will notice a path which heads downhill from the road. Though this stretch of road is usually quiet walkers should take care, especially since national speed limit applies here.

3: Walkers will eventually notice a path on the right-hand side of the road which the route follow downhill.  The path then follows Harwood Beck.

4: The route passes trough some old buildings and farms before starting to turn back towards the reservoir.

5:  There is an optional shortcut here where walkers can follow a path over the moor back to the Cow Green car park, however the route sticks to the roads as there are better views along here.

6:  Along this final section of the walk walkers are rewarded with a great view down the Tees valley.  The route follows the road till it reaches the junction.  The route then follows the road to the right which heads up hill, back to the car park.

This is a good walk which we’ve followed several times.  By parking at Langdon Beck you can add an extra 3 miles to the route.  Following this route in the snow can make the walk easier than it would be with muddy terrain.  However, access to the reservoir may be cut off in deep snow.

Adapted from the Teesdale Way