(Image: Groundwork NE & Cumbria)
A County Durham mum has praised a historic North East walking trail after reviewing its safety as a solo woman walker.
36-year-old Amy Davison, known online as Adventures with Autism & a Bedipoo, posts lifestyle content on social media featuring North East scenic dog walks, family days out and life with her seven-year-old son, Joe.
Amy visited Land of Oak & Iron near Winlaton Mill, Tyne and Wear, and posted a video to social media on October 10 reviewing the trail's safety as a woman walking alone.
The Durham resident said: “I love getting out and exploring, but as a woman walking alone, I do like to feel safe.
“I want to go for a walk, not end up as a crime watch re-enactment.”
Amy's review said the route sees dog walkers, cyclists and families using it, which she said made her feel safer. She also said the mix of younger and older people helped her not feel lonely on the trail.
She praised the autumn scenery along her walk, and ended at the site's dog-friendly café.
Amy said: “Honestly, not once did I feel unsafe.”
Amy said she factors in isolated sections, phone signal, busyness and visibility when deciding if a trail is safe, and tries to find places to walk with larger amounts of people regardless of season or time.
"If there's no phone signal, I tend to leave," she said, "just in case I need help."
She added that the café at Land of Oak & Iron had a “lovely selection of food,” and that she was always looking for more places to explore with her dog, Coco.
Amy said she prioritises finding walks where women walking alone can feel comfortable.
She said she would return to Land of Oak & Iron to explore the opposite direction, but told her followers she would not recommend visiting in the dark.
Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre is in the Derwent Valley. The area includes woodland, riverbanks and grassland, as well as industrial remains linked to iron, steel and coal mining.
The valley was once heavily industrialised, with wagonways built to carry coal. The site now includes wildlife such as otters, deer and red kites.
The review prompted discussion from other solo female walkers. One said: “This looks like a fab trail.”
Another said: “This is a beautiful walk. I feel unsafe at times, but this looks so good.”
Other trails praised by Amy for their safety include Derwent Reservoir, which she said was "always a great one, busy with walkers and cyclists," as well as Northumberlandia, Herrington Park and Penshaw Monument.
Amy's post focused on how the route felt for a woman walking alone, rather than offering formal safety advice.
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Visitors should always be aware of their surroundings, considering daylight, weather, their route and phone coverage before setting out.
The heritage centre and surrounding paths remain a place for walking, cycling and family visits, with the route offering access to the valley’s natural and industrial history.
The heritage centre is accessible via the Derwent Walk, Red Kite Trail and Coast to Coast Cycleway.