Walks you can reach from Heworth by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Sunderland Station to Seaham Station (Durham)
15m direct from Heworth.
Scenic for most of its length, with a choice of walking high, low, or on the beach.
Tough: steep ascents. 11km.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Seaham Station to Horden Station (Durham)
30m direct from Heworth.
A quiet walk, separated from built-up areas, with several steep climbs and descents.
Tough: steep ascents. 14km.
Several steep climbs and descents.
Lunch: No food or drink en route after Seaham.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Horden Station to Hartlepool Station (Durham)
30m direct from Heworth.
A varied route through nature reserves and beaches.
Tough: steep ascents. 20km.
About two miles around the port alongside a main road.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Blaydon Station to Newcastle Station (Durham)
7m direct from Heworth.
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
East Boldon Station to Sunderland Station (Durham)
15m direct from Heworth.
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 (Durham)
45m direct from Heworth.
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
Stockton Station to Billingham Station (Durham)
1h direct from Heworth.
Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Middlesbrough Station to Hartlepool Station (Yorkshire)
45m direct from Heworth.
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
Hartlepool Station to Seaton Carew Station (Durham)
45m direct from Heworth.
A short, flat, hard-surfaced walk, mainly along promenade.
Tough: steep ascents. 6km.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Billingham Station to Middlesbrough Station (Durham)
1h direct from Heworth.
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.