[1] Leave the Four Clocks Centre, turn left and walk down to the traffic lights where you are going to turn right. Use the crossing in front of the shoe shop then cross again.
[2] Turn right and walk to the next traffic lights then bear left down Kings Way and follow the signs for Auckland Castle.
[3] Cross the road and go through the arch into Auckland Caste & Grounds.
Take care when crossing the road as it is busy and has no designated crossing for pedestrians.
[4] Pass the castle entrance and go through the metal gate into the park. Turn left and follow the path round and down the hill. Don’t go up to the deer shelter.
[5] There is a path which bears left down towards the boundary walls (look to your left and see a really nice view of Newton Cap Viaduct) the path now straightens up and heads towards a stone packhorse type bridge. You will pass on your left, a circle of 6 trees with a seventh in the middle.
[6] Cross the bridge and then another bridge over a small stream.
[7] The path becomes indistinct and bears right. Ignore the obvious path going straight ahead. This lovely terrace path climbs gently up the hill to give beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
There might be horses in the fields.
[8] At the top of the hill go through a gateway and on your left there is a stile, cross this and follow the path until you reach a bridge which spans the Spennymoor/Bishop Auckland railway line (now a footpath / cycleway)
[9] Cross the bridge and you will see some steps which take you down to the railway track. Turn left and walk along this track until you are level with a golf “green”.
[10] On your right there is a small stile with a Wear Walking for Health sign. Follow this path. Keep the wall on your right. Keep going along this path, keeping an eye out for wayward golf balls!!
This path can be muddy at times.
[11] You will reach a narrow tarmac road which leads to the golf club, cross this and a tiny stile and go under a lovely ivy covered arch into a small wooded area.
[12] As you walk along this path there is a wall on your right and a wood beyond it. At the bottom of the slope there is a medium size stile, cross this and head over to your left round the end of the last house on the row.
[13] Cross a small stile and down a few steps and you are on the main road. Turn right and walk up the hill towards the castle again.
[14] On the corner where the road bears left, cross the road which leads up to the castle and retrace your steps back to the Four Clocks Centre.
Take care when crossing this busy road.