We start at Allensford picnic area, next to the bridge that carries the busy A68 over the Derwent to the west of Consett. This is because this route takes us to the best pub on the walk just after the half-way mark.

Park in  the free car park, walk to the road and cross the river going north. You are now in Northumberland. Immediately after passing the farm on your right, look out for a narrow gate and path that leads to a bridge over a beck. Follow this through woods and alongside fields until it drops down to run alongside the Derwent.

Now that industry has gone from this part of the North East, it's a lot more attractive than it used to be, and the wildlife agrees. Look out for heron and other water-loving birds.

These woods are very atmospheric and this is as good a walk here as you are liable to see anywhere.

● Atmospheric ... the wood alongside the River Derwent (picture taken from Northumberland side).

Stay with the river, resisting the temptation to cross it on a footbridge to your right just after the weir. Later you'll have no choice, and must cross the river to a minor road (back in County Durham) that takes you a short distance to the B6278 on your left (you'll be back at these crossroads later). Take this and look out for some steps on your right giving access to a footpath which again follows the river, this time high above it.

The waymarks aren't exactly numerous, but use your map to follow the path which forks left and leaves the river to climb to the left to Panshield Farm.

● Hidden gorge ... watch your feet round here.

Pass in front of it and follow the path alongside hedgerows and through stiles to a small rocky valley that boasts a couple of small waterfalls and a lot of mud and undergrowth. You should eventually reach the hamlet of Newlands, where you turn right and follow the B6309 to Ebchester, cross the river and, still on the B6309, pass the Chelmsford pub on your left and climb to the Derwent Walk Inn (Jennings AND guest beers. They had Hobgoblin on draught when we were last there, and the food is good, too).

From the pub, descend and follow the Derwent Walk south for a mile or so to the Shotley Bridge picnic site, where you turn off and follow the B 6310 down to the crossroads you were at earlier. Again follow the B6278 for half a mile, passing the path on your right you took earlier, and look out for a footpath sign on your left leading you along a path which, if you use your map and follow the waymarks, should take you past several woods, through Horseshoe Plantation, round Bulbeck Cottage and to the car park of the Derwent Valley Hotel. But it can be confusing round here, so you may finish up walking along field edges rather than footpaths, but the hotel buildings are easy to spot and you should make for the right hand side of them.

When you get there, walk through the car park and follow the hotel road back to the A68, cross the bridge and return to the Allensford picnic area car park.