GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Chopwell Woods

3 miles (5 km)

Enjoy miles of cycling and walking trails in this large forest near Gateshead. There's 360-hectares of mixed woodland to explore on a variety of waymarked paths. Walkers can try four trails of varying lengths and difficulty.
These include an easy walk along the Old Railway Footpath which takes you through the heart of the forest on a well surfaced path. There are also longer, more challenging trails around the boundary of the forest and a riverside walk along the River Derwent. Look out for a number of woodland sculptures including the popular Chopwell 'hands'.
It's great for mountain biking too with a number of blue graded trails and one fast technical red grade trail.
To extend your walking in the area, head towards Stanley and visit the oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge in the world at Causey Arch. The site includes a lovely woodland gorge, interesting geology and views of the Tanfield Heritage Railway which runs through the area.

Postcode

NE39 1LT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Chopwell Woods OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Chopwell Woods Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head west into Chopwell village and you'll find a number of pubs for post walk refreshment.

Dog Walking

As you'd imagine the woodland trails are ideal for dog walking. You'll probably meet other owners on your visit, especially on a fine weekend day.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

"Hands", Chopwell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 761061

"Hands", Chopwell Wood. Besides being an active forestry plantation the forest has also been developed as a major recreational resource for the people of Gateshead and surrounding areas. A number of wood carvings and other sculptures have been sited in the central part of the wood.

Chopwell Wood Car Park - geograph.org.uk - 761060

Car Park at the site.

Woodland track,Chopwell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 2336536

A dog poses for the camera on one of the woodland trails. Look out for wildlife including deer on your walk.

"Fern", Chopwell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 761055

Fern sculpture

Bridge on the old Chopwell and Garesfield Railway, Chopwell Wood - geograph.org.uk - 761058

Bridge on the old Chopwell and Garesfield Railway. The Railway was opened in 1894 - the last mineral railway to be opened in the Durham coalfield - and provided a direct link from the mines at Chopwell to the coal staithes on the River Tyne. The railway was closed in 1961.

Bridleway along old railway near Chopwell - geograph.org.uk - 397633

Bridleway along old railway. This bridleway is very difficult to follow, and little sign is left of the disused railway which it follows. The railway apparently ran from Wickham at the mouth of the Derwent valley up to a site near Wood House. It is not certain whether the line terminated at a coal mine or some other form of mineral extraction.

Chopwell War Memorial - geograph.org.uk - 2840642

Chopwell War Memorial in the village which lies just to the west of the woods.

View over Chopwell - geograph.org.uk - 2840653

View over the village.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Chopwell Wood.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Chopwell Wood.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)