Walks near Sunderland by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Sunderland and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Sunderland.
Alnmouth Circular via the Northumberland Coast Path (Northumberland)
45 minutes from Sunderland, with one change.
Parkland, woodland and a stretch of the Northumberland coast — beach, dunes and the village of Alnmouth.
The Northumberland Coast Path: A coastal trail along the Northumberland shoreline forming part of the England Coast Path, here running past Buston Links and Alnmouth bay.
Time: 3h30
Warnings: Some field sections lack defined paths and can be boggy when wet.
Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Seaham to Horden (Durham)
7 minutes direct from Sunderland.
Horden to Hartlepool (Durham)
15 minutes direct from Sunderland.
Stockton to Middlesbrough (Durham)
45 minutes direct from Sunderland.
Recommended: 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.
Waterway: two thirds along the River Tees.
Time: 2h–3h30
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Alnmouth to Widdrington (Northumberland)
45 minutes from Sunderland, with one change.
Ashington to Blyth Bebside (Northumberland)
1 hour from Sunderland, with one change.
Widdrington to Ashington (Northumberland)
1 hour from Sunderland, with one change.
Hexham to Corbridge (Northumberland)
1 hour direct from Sunderland.
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.
Durham to Chester-le-Street (Durham)
30 minutes 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.
Time: 3h30–6h30
Lunch: There is a cafe at Finchale Priory, roughly midway.
Warnings: 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.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Morpeth to Cramlington (Northumberland)
30 minutes from Sunderland, with one change.
Blaydon to Newcastle (Durham)
45 minutes from Sunderland, with one change.
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.
Darlington to Yarm (Durham)
45 minutes from Sunderland, with one change.