Cragside's Festive 5-miler
North East
Shake off the Christmas cobwebs on a refreshing winter walk through the grounds. This 5-mile waymarked walk winds along the banks of frost covered lakes and beneath towering trees as your follow the route up and down the hillside.
Near to
CragsideStart point
On the grass verge adjacent to the visitor centre buildings.Trail information
Follow the waymarkers
Follow the pink bauble waymarkers.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
On the grass verge adjacent to the visitor centre buildings.
Stage 1
This walk starts at the visitor centre and is marked with pink bauble waymarkers. You first waymarker is on the grass verge next to the picnic tables. Follow the winding road up hill, keeping Tumbleton Lake on your left-hand side. As you reach a group of trees at the top of the hill lookout for a waymarker pointing left down a gravel track. Keep following the gravel track downhill and cross a green metal bridge. Continue along the path, passing the welcome hut on the main entrance drive.
Stage 2
When you reach the road, turn left and walk across the dam. You will spot the spiralling Archimedes Screw on your right. Take the wide steps than run adjacent to this modern water-powered generator and cross the wooden bridge at the bottom.
Stage 3
You are now in the Debdon Valley. Stay on the undulating path. After a short distance you will see your first glimpse of Cragside House between the trees. As the path ends, take the wooden bridge across the burn, bare right and climb the stone steps that lead to the grand Iron Bridge overhead.
Stage 4
Turn right and cross the Iron Bridge. From here, you’ll get a spectacular view of the House sitting at the top of the Rock Garden. At the end of the bridge, take the set of stone steps on the right that lead under the bridge and follow the track towards another timber bridge which takes you into the Pinetum.
Stage 5
Follow the path under the towering trees. Don’t cross the stone bridge. Instead, bear left and follow the route that continues through the trees and part of the Rock Garden. The path comes out on a tarmacked road. Turn left heading towards the House and then take a hairpin bend right on to the start of the Carriage Drive. On the left is a set of rugged stone steps to climb.
Stage 6
Once at the top of the steps, turn right following the track to Slipper Lake. On arrival at the lake, go straight on. As you reach the top of the bank you will see a set of play equipment which is part of the trim trail. Just behind here is a gate. Walk around this gate and walk straight on, passed the play area. From here you can grab refreshments from Crozier’s kiosk and take a toilet break if needed.
Stage 7
Walk passed the Crozier’s kiosk towards the tarmacked Carriage Drive road and turn right, walking over the small stone bridge. At the small parking area on the roadside, turn left and follow the path along the banks of the Nelly’s Moss lakes, keeping the water’s edge on your left. Follow the path that loops around both lakes. You will eventually come out on to the Carriage Drive with a sign for Crozier’s car park in front of you. Walk back towards the play area. Walk back around the large gate you walked around previously but this time take the track to the right
Stage 8
After a short distance, look out for a waymarker that points left down stone steps. Follow the steps which zigzag down the hillside. As you walk down the steps, keep a look out for William Armstrong quotes carved into the rocky crag. At the bottom of the path Slipper Lake will appear. At the end of the path, turn right and follow the track between the trees. Keep going straight on until you see a track on the left. This path takes you around the back of the House where you can enjoy sights of the decorative chimneys.
Stage 9
As you reach the bottom of the path turn left and then take a hairpin right. This path road leads to the foot of the UK’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree where you can witness this 44.7-metre sparkling Giant Redwood dressed in 1350 multi-coloured lights. Once you have taken photos, keep following the road to a junction. Turn left and keep following the road to a fork in the road. Take the road on the right which leads uphill towards the visitor centre where the Festive 5-Miler ends.
Stage 10
Congratulations, you’ve completed our Christmas walking challenge. Don’t forget to strike a pose at the photo station bridge to celebrate the end of your walk. We’d love to see your photos. Share with us on Instagram and Facebook using @ntcragside.
End point
This walk ends at the visitor centre. Here you will find toilets, a tea room and the shop. You can also plan you next walk at the map room in the Stables.
Trail map
Take on the challenge of Cragside's Festive 5-miler | © Cragside
