Over the moors to Weardale

 OS Grid Ref NY 859 453 Turn left out of the car park towards the Heritage Centre and The Hemmel, pop in for refreshments before your walk, turn right to pass in front of the Allenheads Inn onto a track. Turn left to pass the old forge on your right then continue up the slope through the trees, ignoring two tracks that go to the right. At the far side of the second plantation turn right to leave the track after a gate. Follow the footpath signs as you pass by various small farms and buildings to eventually reach a larger track just before Dodd Reservoir. 

 OS Grid Ref NY 847 460 Turn left onto this track that gradually ascends into the higher moors at the top of the East Allen Valley. Keep a lookout for a small indistinct path on your left, opposite butt 9, that needs to be taken before reaching the old shooting huts below the summit of Killhope Law. Keep on this path, to the left of a small cleugh, as it crosses the summit of the moors and descends into Wear Dale at the entrance to Killhope Lead Mining Museum. Go down the access road, over the river towards the car park, then turn sharp right almost doubling back on to the Weardale Way.

 OS Grid Ref NY 825 432 The route now follows the Weardale Way as it climbs above the valley and goes through the old mine workings that are scattered around nearly all the valleys of the North Pennines AONB. The path gradually descends back into the valley at Killhopeburn Bridge, at which you cross the burn to reach the road. Turn right along the road for a short distance until a footpath is signed along a track on your left just before a converted chapel. Remain on the track as it reaches open countryside above the hamlet of Lanehead. Eventually crossing a wall into open country and a faint footpath that continues to rise to a point near Clevison Currick, as the terrain flattens follow the path to the right passing Rowan’s Currick . Continue over a small watercourse to a wall that you will need to cross then walk alongside, with it on your right until reaching the road.

 OS Grid Ref NY 852 432 Turn left on the B6295 road  and follow the road back to Allenheads, you will be rewarded with some glorious views along the East Allen Valley and beyond. At the crossroads turn left into the village where the Heritage Centre will be seen on your left, refreshments can be taken at either The Hemmel or the Allenheads Inn, before returning to the car park