| Teesdale Way | |
| Length: | from Dufton from county boundaries |
| Trailheads: | Dufton, Cumbria/Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham South Gare, Redcar |
| Use: | Hiking |
| Waymark: | 'Dipper Badge' |
The Teesdale Way is a long-distance walk between the Cumbrian Pennines and the North Sea coast of North Yorkshire in England. The walk is 100miles in length; it links in with other long-distance walks such as the Pennine Way and the E2 European Walk between Harwich and Stranraer.
The Teesdale way starts at Dufton in Cumbria as part of the Pennine way, but does not become its own path (with waymarkers) until it reaches Middleton-in-Teesdale.[1] The path ends at South Gare in Warrenby near Redcar, having passed through the heavily industrialised Teesside area, consisting of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Thornaby-on-Tees.[2] This gives a great insight into the once proud ship building and industrial heritage of the North East.[3] [4] [5] Between Middleton-in-Teesdale and Middlesbrough, the way runs for jointly with the European E2 path.[6]
Between Yarm and Croft-on-Tees the river goes through the meandering lowland section of the Tees Valley. As the river flows through Upper Teesdale, it passes through the historic settlements of Piercebridge and Barnard Castle.[7]
The route can also be seen as starting at the county boundaries between Cumbria and County Durham near to Cow Green Reservoir. Also in Upper Teesdale the walk makes a U-turn at Eggleston Hall, heading down the other side of the dale, back to Barnard Castle.
Thornaby and Bassleton woods are connected to each other. They are located in Thornaby, in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. A 4miles section of the way between Middlesbrough and Redcar was known locally as 'The Black Path' and was used by steelworkers.[8]
At, Thornaby Woods is a large area of ancient woodland and features trees such as oak, elm and wych-elm. Roe deer have been seen in and around Thornaby and Bassleton woods.[9]