Walks you can reach from MetroCentre by train

River South Tyne valley, woodland and the South Tyne Trail along a former railway line.

The South Tyne Trail: A 23-mile recreational route along the former South Tyne railway line, following the wooded valley of the River South Tyne.

Time: 2h30

Warnings: Some navigation required; crosses the A69 twice.

Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: Scenic for most of its length, with a choice of walking high, low, or on the beach.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: A varied route through nature reserves and beaches.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 6h–11h30

Warnings: About two miles around the port alongside a main road.

Walk details: Railwalks.

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.

A great woodland and river walk; A lovely route. A pleasant walk on riverside and woodland paths and tracks along the Tyne, with some roads. Begins with a climb and steps out of Hexham, then mostly uphill muddy woodland paths and a tarmac drive that becomes a muddy farm track, before a well-made path beside the river into Corbridge. Steps and rough and muddy ground make much of it foot-only. The route passes right by the entrance to Dilston Physic Garden, a two-acre botanical garden with homemade herbal teas (entrance fee; check opening times). It also passes the remains of the Roman bridge near Corbridge and the multiple chimneys of Duke's House.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 2h–4h

End-of-walk reward: Corbridge has plenty of coffee and pub stops.

Warnings: The walk crosses a railway line on an unboarded pedestrian level crossing, so take care. Care is also needed crossing the A695 at Dilston. Steps and rough, muddy woodland paths.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long rural route along the South Tyne valley over tarmac roads, unpaved country lanes and field paths, with woodland sections that can be muddy and wet with a few fords. Mostly flat with some genuinely steep climbs and several lesser-used footpaths get badly overgrown with nettles and brambles in summer. Follows the signposted River Tyne Trail as far as Haydon Bridge, then goes off-route. Passes the National Trust's Allen Banks site, where there is a toilet. Can be split at Haydon Bridge, which has trains.

Time: 7h30–15h

Lunch: No cafes between Haltwhistle and Haydon Bridge; Haydon Bridge (roughly mid-route) has a good coffee shop, a fish and chip shop, a pub and a Co-op.

End-of-walk reward: Hexham has a good selection of cafes and eateries around the market square.

Warnings: Take care crossing the A69, where traffic moves fast. Several ladder stiles, some missing a step or two. Summer growth can leave the smaller footpaths overgrown, so long trousers help.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 2h–4h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 4h–7h30

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.