Three Rivers - NCN 14 - Durham to Consett

After crossing the very busy A167(T) road at the Toucan Crossing - turn right on shared use path (SUP) 200m - pass the "Pot & Glass" PH (L) then bear left into Toll House Road. (road signed Bearpark / Ushaw Moor)

All the busy roads are now left behind.

After passing houses (R) and trees (L) turn left down steep lane (signed NCN14) - cross footbridge over River Browney and uphill through Baxter Wood Farm. Slow down through farm.

After the farm, bear right onto the gravel path, sign-posted as a cycle route, through gate and turn right on to the Lanchester Way Rail Path.

Lanchester Valley Railway
This railway was built to carry iron ore to Consett Steelworks and coal from Langley Park.
A passenger service opened in 1862 and the line was closed to all trafic in 1965.

The track bed was purchased by Durham County Council and reclaimed for use as
a long distance cycle and walking route. From Baxter Wood the railway path
climbs 160 mtrs steadily towards Consett - average gradient approx 1:100

Contiune on the railway path through Bearpark and past the site of Witton Gilbert Station.

Further on take care at the steep dip in the track where a bridge has been removed - loose gravel.

After passing car park - cross road and up steep tarmac ramp onto railway path again and continue ahead - passing the Malton Picnic area - on to Lanchester.

The Roman "Dere Street" to Corbridge run northwest near here and there is an important Roman site - "Longovicium" just to the south west on the B6296 road.

After crossing river bridge - cross over B6296 road - past car park (site of Lanchester Station) over another road back on to railway path again.

After a steady climb for two miles the railway path swings right to cross Knitsley embankment over Blackgill Burn.

Knitsley embankment was originally a wooden viaduct but this was buried in colliery waste in 1915.
The wooden structure stills remains buried inside the embankment.

The next mile of railway has been lost due to open cast coal mining
and farming, the cycle route has had to make a short detour around this
with a gradual 45m climb followed by a steep 25m descent.

At the end of the embankment bear right uphill to barrier - turn left along lane to a gate and pass Hurbeck farm(L) and follow tarmac road straight on passing Hurbeck Cottages (R).

Cross the minor road and ahead on track that follows a stone wall alongside road. Take care crossing at farm track. Turn sharp left downhill then sharp right to cross road at the site of Knitsley Station (R).

You are back on the railway path again - further on - descend a steep ramp to cross Knitsley Lane and up steep ramp on the other side.

Pass under road bridge - bear right up and around a hairpin bend to arrive at Lydgetts Junction - Millennium Milepost (4-way) and the Smelt Wagon.