Frosterley and Five Pikes circular
3 people attending
12 places left
Total distance about 17kms (approx. 11 miles) with 300m (850 feet) ascent throughout. Approximately 5 1/2 hours, including lunch.
Starting from the charming Weardale village of Frosterley, this walk includes a range of delights. From several stretches of the River Wear to Limestone Quarries and exposed moorland with panoramic views, this walk is a joy.
The initial section of this walk is along the road, so care is required. After crossing the River Wear, we climb steadily towards Hill End. We take a short detour via a ford to enjoy the Low Bollihope quarry, before continuing our ascent. Most of the walk is on an estate track, so walking conditions are excellent. The peak of our walk is the Five Pikes trig point, which sits at 479 metres. We continue crossing open moorland and are likely to see grouse as we pass. There are stunning views across the North Pennines National Landscape towards Cross Fell. We take in the interestingly named "Elephant Trees" before descending down through White Kirkley. This stretch includes farmland, more former quarries and a final stretch back along the River Wear.
After the walk, there will be an optional trip to The Bay Horse Hotel in Wolsingham for anyone who would like a drink.
Dogs: Well-behaved, under control dogs are welcome at this event.
Dogs should be kept on a lead whenever signposted, whenever we are in the vicinity of livestock, and at the event leader's request. Many stretches of this walk include sheep roaming. You'll need to make sure you're carrying sufficient extra water for your four-legged friend. We will meet natural water on parts of the walk. If you're unsure, contact the leader for guidance.
If the event is fully booked: Please join the wait list as people frequently drop out during the week before an event, and you are likely to get a place on the walk.
If this is your first OutdoorLads walk event, we’ll make sure you feel welcome. Please check out the My First Event page, and don’t hesitate to drop me a message if you have questions or want to know more about this walk.
Image/photo credits: All leader's own images - with permission for OutdoorLads to use.
What to bring
Water: Bring at least 2 litres if possible. Hot drinks are recommended, as it gets cold quickly on the exposed moorland section.
Medicines: If you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments, etc.
Rucksack: A 20L day backpack or similar. They are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely.
Footwear: As we head towards winter, we may encounter boggy/muddy conditions at points, so please wear boots designed for hiking that are waterproof.
Socks: Proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters.
Layered clothing: Lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid-layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece).
Trousers: Ideally not jeans, which become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and easier to dry. On warm days, shorts are okay, but be prepared for wind when we reach the more exposed parts of our walk at higher elevations.
Gloves: Who knows what November's weather will bring! You may still need gloves on windy and wet days. Waterproof gloves are best.
Waterproof jacket: Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and drier.
Hat or cap: Hats will keep you warm and protect you from the wind, and give you shade if the sun is shining down on us.
Sunglasses: For any sunny day.
Sun cream: You need to protect your skin from the sun, even on cloudy days.
Snacks: Bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit, for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch.
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks. Plenty of water/juice, and ideally bring something warm/hot if the weather is going to be cold.
There is one local shop in Frosterley, where you may be able to get some supplies.
Once we leave Frosterley, there won't be any access to food and drink along the route until we return to the village.