The Teesdale Way traces the course of the River Tees from its gathering grounds in the windswept hills of the North Pennines , the preserve of grouse, curlew and hardy black-faced sheep, to the pretty village of Gainford , where the river leaves the confines of the dale and begins meandering through fertile farmland to the sea.

Highlights of the trail include the rare arctic-alpine flora of Upper Teesdale; the dramatic waterfalls of Cauldron Snout, Low Force and High Force, England's largest waterfall; the traditional dales town of Middleton-in-Teesdale, once the archetypal 'company town', owned lock, stock and barrel by the Quaker-run London Lead Company; the charming villages of Egglestone, Romaldkirk and Cotherstone; Romaldkirk church, the 'Cathedral of the dales'; the Fairy Cupboard miniature caves; Woden Croft, one of the infamous 'Yorkshire Schools' described by Charles Dickens in 'Nicholas Nickleby; the romantic ruin of Egglestone Abbey; Mortham Tower, an imposing 15th century manor house; the Meeting of the Waters, an idyllic corner immortalised by poets and painters; and the old market town of Barnard Castle, with its fine castle, elegant French-style chateau housing a famous museum and many other fascinating buildings like the octagonal Market Cross, once used as town hall, courtroom and gaol.