Bisshi one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Bisshi here.

Ii walked this from Shildon to Bishop Auckland. Easy well designated path as far as South Church. After this there were some steep ascents and descents before final climb into town centre.
Enjoyable walk.

On paper this didn't look like a great and I was tempted to just create and walk a route that looked better. However, this is a good walk that avoided too much road walking and found some excellent paths.

I walked from Bishop Auckland to Shildon. The routes starts at the functional bus station (pic 1) and quickly crosses town and drops down to the river, where there is an easy to miss path that follows the river (pic 2). The route is easy to follow except that the path down the side of the school is 300 metres further south. Follow the steps up to get back on track (pic 3).

The path drops down to the river and then climbs up steeply - so steep it was almost a scramble (pic 4) . At the top of the embankment there is a steep flight of yellow steps that takes you up the railway line level crossing (pic 5). Take care crossing the track. The route crosses a field and then climbs up to the A688. A footbridge takes you across safely (pic 6) and then down a footpath along the church yard (pic 7).

Back on the road, follow the route to the bridge and then a quick left and right brings you along a quiet road to the footpath (pic 8). The path is well made up (pic 9) and follows a direct route to the next village. A left turn and 300 metres along the road, a right turn takes on to a grassy path (pic 10). Top of the rise the paths bears left (pic 11) and then becomes much rougher under foot (pic12).

As you approach Shildon the path improves surface (pic 13) and then you hit the town centre. The road goes right and then after 400metres swings left and then you will arrive at the impressive Shildon arch where the route ends.

This is not a wheel friendly route - the scrambling and steps to get over the railway in Bishop Auckland coupled with rough route from Eldon Lane to Shildon. There are cafes and shops at either end, plus a pub and shop in South Church.

I enjoyed this walk. A good balance of well made up paths and lanes in a semi urban, post-industrial environment.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.