There are about 2.5km (1.4 miles) of public rights of way in Pelaw Wood providing a variety of interesting walks as illustrated on our map board in St Giles Close.
The Wearside Way & national cycle routes 14 and 70 alongside the river are now open again (July 2017) after the landslide.
For details of all the footpaths in and around Pelaw Wood & Durham go to OpenStreetMap or the County’s Definitive Map of public rights of way.
You can enter the Wood from the riverside path from either opposite the bandstand or near Old Durham. Or enter from Gilesgate, crossing Pelaw Wood Beck ravine by the Silver Link Bridge and either turn right towards the river; or left and then right through one of the glades towards Old Durham.
All these paths add interest to walks from the City into the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately due to the steepness of the ground only the riverside path is wheelchair friendly.
The Friends of Pelaw wood have an ongoing programme to improve access through the Wood by maintaining the surfaces and steps. In addition to our members’ efforts we have also gratefully received support from the Durham County Rangers and the County’s Parish Path Partnership. Links to these organisations may be found here.
Revised 21 August 2015
