Walks you can reach from Chester-le-Street by train

Time: 6h30–12h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Waterway: three fifths beside rivers and canals.

Time: 2h–4h

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

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. Crossing the river at Scotswood Bridge is a little fiddly, walking beside the busy A695 traffic.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 6h–12h

Warnings: A track between roughly NZ4003 1630 and NZ4036 1628 may be blocked and impossible to walk; be prepared to divert.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 5h30–10h30

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.