Walks you can reach from Heighington by train

Stockton Station to Middlesbrough Station (Durham)

45m direct from Heighington.

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

Darlington Station to Stockton Station (Durham)

15m direct from Heighington.

Tough: 23km. Gentle ascents.

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

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Darlington Station to Yarm Station (Durham)

15m direct from Heighington.

Tough: 24km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Middlesbrough Station to Redcar Central Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Heighington.

A direct route from town centre to beach through a semi-industrial landscape full of wildlife, running close to the railway line in places. Mostly grassed path with some paved or gravelled sections, plus a metal bridge and steps and anti-bike chicanes; narrow in places and prone to flooding next to a bog. Recommended detours to the Tees Transporter Bridge, the Clock Tower and Locke Park, which has plenty of wildlife and benches.

13km. Moderate ascents.

A 50-metre boggy section is impassable without wellies or hiking boots even in dry weather, with no way to bypass it. The path runs very close to passing trains in places. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shildon Station to Darlington Station (Durham)

7m direct from Heighington.

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

Middlesbrough Station to Hartlepool Station (Yorkshire)

45m direct from Heighington.

19km. Gentle ascents.

This route relies on the Transporter Bridge to cross the River Tees; the bridge has been closed for repair with no reopening date, so you would need to detour to cross via the Newport Bridge (A1032).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bishop Auckland Station to Shildon Station (Durham)

7m direct from Heighington.

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

Billingham Station to Middlesbrough Station (Durham)

45m direct from Heighington.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

The Tees Transporter Bridge on this route has been closed since 2019 with no reopening date, making the route impassable as drawn; an alternative uses the Newport Bridge (A1032), which has footpaths alongside a busy road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route