Welcome
Chopwell Wood is a 360 hectare woodland in the Derwent Valley. Easily accessible by road and public transport from Newcastle and Gateshead, this wood provides fantastic walking and cycling opportunities on waymarked trails and the chance to get away from it all in stands of mature trees, enjoy some tranquility and spot some wildlife.
Level access
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
From the bus stop on the public road, access is along public highway tarmac footpath with no drop kerb for 100m, then a further 50m on a loose stone surfaced public footpath (with gradient) which leads to the tarmac public road into the forest. From here, the road can be followed or a further loose stone surfaced path for 300m to main car park. Vehicles can access main car park from the B6315 at High Spen. The car park connects directly into the waymarked trails network.
Getting around inside
Getting around outside
Easy Going Trail
Designated Walking Trail
Old Railway Footpath
This is a mainly level, moderately easy walk along wide forest roads and tracks. The route incorporates part of the old railway line that used to carry coal from Chopwell and High Spen Collieries to Derwenthaugh Cokeworks. A restored example of the railway trucks can be found where the forest road joins the railway line. Good walking surfaces with only one short uphill climb and one moderate descent make this the ideal first foray into the heart of the woodland.
Designated Walking Trail
Boundary Walk
The longest way marked walk in the Wood. The route tours the Wood from north to south, giving you an overall feel for the character of the woodland. Contrast the dappled light in old beech woods planted in the early 1900s with the deep summer shade cast by large blocks of maturing larch woodland planted after World War Two. The industrial heritage of Chopwell Wood is apparent as you cross the stone bridge over the old mineral railway line, which you will join for a short spell further along the trail. As you began the climb from the river Derwent back towards the car park, the trail guides you past a variety of woodland sculptures including a giant bird of prey, woodland guardians and the popular Chopwell ‘hands’, which are at the end of a stunning avenue of copper beech trees. A number of long descents and ascents and four sharp inclines characterise this walk and at times the path is unsurfaced and 'rooty'.
Customer care support
There is no staff member usually on site to provide customer care information