Head out on a Sniffari - our dedicated dog-friendly trail, made for four-legged explorers who like to stop, sniff and take their time. 

The six-mile route follows the old railway line towards Cotherstone before returning alongside the river, with plenty of beautiful Durham Dales views for humans and an ever-changing mix of scents for dogs to investigate along the way.

Taking around two to three hours, the Sniffari winds through open countryside, woodland and riverside paths, with dogs encouraged to set the pace and follow their noses. 

We've also teamed up with Dogs Trust, so if you and your canine companion enjoy the route, you can choose to make an optional donation after completing your walk. See Dogs Trust - Rose & Crown Romaldkirk 

sniffari jpeg

The Route...

Old railway line to Cotherstone, returning via the river 
6 miles, 2 – 3 hours, walking boots required 

From the Rose and Crown door turn right and walk up to the T junction. Here take a left towards Barnard Castle. Take the first right along the Hunderthwaite road. Three hundred yards further on you will see a gate on the left taking you onto the old railway. 

Half a mile along the track there is a splendid viaduct over the River Balder followed a further half mile on by a road to cross. 

Continuing along the railway line you will pass under an old railway arch and around half a mile further on you will come across a stone ladder type style on the left, beware there is no sign post, if you reach the road you have missed it. Use this to cross into the field and then walk directly down the field to the gate in the bottom right hand corner. 

After exiting the gate follow the lane to your left down through the cottages to the road. Upon reaching the road turn left for a few metres and then take the lane on your right. Follow the lane down to the river passing a grass parking area and playing field. When arriving at the river follow the path to the left over a narrow foot bridge. On the other side of the bridge follow the path to the right along the Teesdale way. 

Take the path along the river bank until it opens out onto a slightly sandy bank, at this point the path heads away from the river into fields. 

Upon entering the field follow the right hand fence until you reach a stile which takes you back to the riverside. Follow the path along the river and across a footbridge. The path now heads back into fields. 

When entering the field head to the right then directly up the centre of the field over the brow of the hill, once over the brow head to your right and through the gate to the right hand side of the stone wall. Stick to the right of the next field and you will pass a farm house then come to a metal gate on your right. Pass through the gate and then walk on through the farm yard, passing the rental cottages and then a barn (usually with barking sheepdogs, don’t worry though they are penned in!). As you pass down the right hand side of the barn you will come to a gate taking you into a field. Stick to the right hand side of the field and you will come to another gate. After this gate again stick to the right hand wall and head down towards the woods.

The path will now take you along the river bank through the woods. The path heads down through the trees reaching the river before heading back up a stony bank which can be slippery, beware this area can also be very muddy. At the top of the bank you will cross a small beck with a stone wall before heading through another wooded area. 

At the end of the woods you pass through a wooden gate into a field. Stick to the right of the field until you near the derelict cottage, head up to your left past the front of the cottage where you will find the next gate. Pass through the gate and past the cottage on your right, follow the track for around 50 metres then head to your right, up the bank towards the small gap in the hedge. Pass through the hedge and cross the field diagonally heading to the far left corner where you will find another gate. Continue on the same angle across the next field and you will come to a wooden gate which takes you onto an enclosed lane. Follow the lane and you will arrive at Romaldkirk village green, take a left at the end of the lane to return to the Rose & Crown.