Best walks in Durham by train

Stockton Station to Middlesbrough Station

45m direct from Sunderland.

A direct town-centre-to-town-centre route, under 20% on roads with the rest flat and well-surfaced tarmac path mostly along the riverside. Passes through a semi-industrial landscape and runs close to the river.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Sunderland Station to Seaham Station

some fantastic views; the best and most scenic way to get to Seaham from Sunderland. A mostly flat coastal walk along the cliffs following the England Coast Path, on well-signed and fairly well-maintained paths, with city streets and an attractive park at the Sunderland end. A steep flight of stairs from North Beach at Seaham if you choose the beach option. Fields on the cliff stretch easily become waterlogged after rain and with patches of mud. Follows the England Coast Path, waymarked at points. A halfway detour to Grangetown services is possible.

Tough: steep ascents. 9km.

The clifftop sections between Ryhope and Seaham run very close to the edge and are very exposed, so take care in high winds; the fields here become waterlogged after rain. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blaydon Station to Newcastle Station

15m direct from Sunderland.

cracking views along the river. An urban route with a mix of green and built-up spaces, following the banks of the River Tyne and only leaving the river to skirt industrial units. Almost all tarmac or paving and accessible for wheelers and with a minor detour at a stepped railway crossing near Blaydon. A peaceful bridleway start; cracking river views. Follows the Hadrian's Wall National Trail (Hadrian's Way) and the Keelmans Way cycle path along the Tyne, rich in wildlife including the world's most inland kittiwake colony, peregrine falcon and shelduck (best at low tide). Information boards cover the history of industrial Tyneside; the 'Dunston Staiths' timber jetty is visible across the river.

8km.

Crossing the river at Scotswood Bridge is a little fiddly, walking beside the busy A695 traffic.

Lunch: The Italian bistro Liosi's is on the route; no toilet stops along the riverside.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Durham Station to Chester-le-Street Station

30m from Sunderland, with one change.

amazing views all the way; this gorgeous route. A gorgeous, largely traffic-free rural route reliably walkable year-round, on good ground with limited road walking on quiet lanes. Starts uphill out of Durham; the ground is mostly good but there is quite a lot of tarmac. The sections either side of Finchale Priory are briefly very steep, with a long and steep flight of steps and a footbridge over the river. Largely coincides with other waymarked routes. Finchale Priory is an English Heritage site.

12km. Moderate ascents.

The steps down to Finchale Priory are long and steep and can be tricky in wet weather; the quiet roads either side have no pavements and occasional fast cars.

Lunch: There is a cafe at Finchale Priory, roughly midway.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Stockton Station to Billingham Station

45m from Sunderland, with one change.

Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Darlington Station to Yarm Station

45m from Sunderland, with one change.

Tough: 24km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

East Boldon Station to Sunderland Station

8m direct from Sunderland.

A good route making use of a riverside path and off-road sections as far as possible through otherwise urban areas and including an attractive park. Some path closures near a quarry require short detours. Passes Fulwell Quarry, which has many alternative paths.

Tough: steep ascents. 7km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Billingham Station to Hartlepool Station

30m direct from Sunderland.

A lengthy route with substantial pavement sections at the start and end and narrow countryside footpaths in between. The section around Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park is the nicest but also the most challenging terrain. Can be muddy when wet.

14km. Gentle ascents.

The route crosses the busy A689; the safer crossing point is slightly east of the line shown, at the traffic lights. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shildon Station to Darlington Station

1h 45m from Sunderland, with one change.

lots of lovely nature and panoramic views. A long route mixing town road-walking with field paths and farm tracks across open country, with panoramic views and lots of nature. Many field paths are poorly maintained, lost or heavily overgrown with nettles and brambles and very wet and muddy after rain. Passes under the A1 near Darlington; there is an ice cream shop at Walworth a short detour off-route.

20km. Moderate ascents.

Many field paths are overgrown, lost or blocked and need hacking through nettles; some require detours around farms. Parts cross or run beside the busy A6072 and A1, and the A1 underpass can flood. Tough going for adults and impractical with wheels away from the towns. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bishop Auckland Station to Shildon Station

1h 45m from Sunderland, with one change.

A varied, enjoyable walk through fields and suburbs using riverside paths and alleys, in a semi-urban, post-industrial environment. A good balance of well-made paths and lanes, but with flights of steps, beaten paths, some steep and almost-scrambling ascents and descents over the river; a few neglected paths at the Bishop Auckland end. Cafes and shops at either end, plus a pub and shop in South Church.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

A very steep, almost scrambling climb up an embankment leads to a steep flight of steps over a railway level crossing; take care crossing the track.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route