Slit Woods — Attraction in Stanhope

Great walk but was confusing to find as original Google Maps pin was totally off. I requested an edit which seems to have been accepted but if you’re unsure, you can use code: PVP2+RRW (directly in search bar on Google Maps) or what3words: ///sharpened.maternal.actual

This takes you to the actual start, which is next to the church (under repair when we visited April 2025), directly opposite the Weardale Holiday Home Park. Some parking is available down the side of the road. When we visited there was one way traffic semaphores as there’s building work. Going to the original Google maps location showed the walk in between the village housing which is not the best place to start.

Otherwise a lovely walk, not too steep, just a steady incline and lovely views at the top of the hills. Definitely take a picture of the map at the start. There are a couple of signs locals put up at the start as it does take you out the back of private houses, but there are no markers really once you clear the woods and no internet signal so having a picture of the map helped us to make sure we’re going the right way. It’s a straight walk through the woods, following the river. Once past the woods keep straight (can also walk up hill left to view reservoir before turning back), until you reach open field. Slight right to get onto a gravel road and then it’s following that all the way to the top of the hills. Will definitely be back now that we know...

Ideal day for a visit, have been a few times but we were the only visitors walking up Slitt Wood & saw nobody on the way back down. Weather was an additional bonus, path very wet in places but not surprising because of recent rainfall. Still one of our favourite sites to visit, lots of differing sized picturesque waterfalls. Also, at the top it opens out into what was the site of a lead mine & again the scenery was beautiful. Lovely autumn day & the tree colours were a mixture of many...

Absolutely stunning place to walk and relax. Really peaceful footpath along the river through the old mine area and further into the hills. The footpath has recently been repaired in places that were falling into the river, and the bridges have been replaced with new ones. Lots of work has been done to preserve the area and it shows. 10/10 will...