Walks you can reach from Haydon Bridge 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).

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.

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.

Beautiful forest views and rock sculptures; Lovely very varied route. A long, varied route through woods, fields, riverside and forest tracks, with some road walking. Parts are a bit up and down, after heavy rain there can be a fair amount of mud, plus some difficult steps over tree roots near Armathwaite. Some fast sections of road between Cotehill and Cumwhinton and the motorway junction. Coombs Wood near Armathwaite is a highlight, with rock sculptures. The route can be tackled over two weekends, breaking at Armathwaite, with good facilities at either end and several points on the way.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 7h30–14h30

Lunch: Pubs at Armathwaite, Cotehill and Cumwhinton along the way.

Warnings: Some fast road sections between Cotehill, Cumwhinton and the M6 junction. Difficult steps over tree roots on the exit from Coombs Wood into Armathwaite. The riverside path along the River Petteril may flood in high rainfall. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long and varied route. Starts on a fast road verge running alongside the M6, then improves to quieter roads, field paths to the River Esk and a railway footbridge and riverside fields that can be very muddy and flood-prone. Finishes on suburban roads and a historic stretch past Carlisle Castle and Cathedral. Several badly puddled farm tracks. The route passes Carlisle Castle, the Cathedral and the Tullie and Guildhall museums, and crosses through the Solway Coast National Landscape. An England Coast Path improvement may one day offer a better, less road-bound start.

Time: 5h–9h30

1 lunch spot: the Crown and Thistle

Warnings: The opening section follows the verge of a fast, busy road parallel to the M6 with a narrow, overgrown edge; great care is needed. Riverside fields can flood and the farm road up to Cargo can be very deeply puddled and muddy. Watch for tidal flooding and cows near Rockcliffe.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks.

A long, mixed route of quiet roads with distant mountain views, field paths beside the River Wampool and Caldew, a final shared tarmac path on the Cumbria Way into Carlisle. Field sections can be wet and muddy; the Wigton-to-Thursby half has serious access problems with blocked and unclear and overgrown paths. The Dalston-to-Carlisle section follows the Cumbria Way and is shared with cyclists.

Time: 6h–12h

1 lunch spot: the Ship Inn

Warnings: The section from Wigton to Thursby has blocked field paths, no clear access through farms, barbed-wire stiles and a stretch with no footpath along the busy A595 verge. Fields by the river can be wet, muddy and churned by cattle.

Walk details: Slow Ways.