Walks you can reach from James Cook by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Danby Station to Whitby Station (Yorkshire)
45m direct from James Cook.
one of the most scenic areas of North Yorkshire, spectacular, truly lovely riverside path. An excellent, scenic rural route through one of the most scenic areas of North Yorkshire, closely following the Esk Valley Path with a lovely riverside path either side of Glaisdale and spectacular views across the Esk Valley west of Sleights. The path can get very muddy in bad weather, there is quite a bit of road walking on quiet lanes and with some occasionally steep and slippery sections. Closely follows the Esk Valley Path and is well signposted. Can easily be split into two sections, Danby to Grosmont and Grosmont to Whitby, using the railway, though the train service is infrequent and refreshment stops are limited, so pre-planning helps.
Tough: 29km, steep ascents.
The path can very easily get muddy in bad weather, especially between Danby station and Danby Beacon and between Sleights and Ruswarp in winter. Take care crossing the busy A169 at Sleights Bridge and the A171 just outside Whitby.
Lunch: The choice of refreshment stops is quite limited, especially out of season.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Stockton Station to Middlesbrough Station (Durham)
5m direct from James Cook.
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
Horden Station to Hartlepool Station (Durham)
30m direct from James Cook.
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
Seaham Station to Horden Station (Durham)
45m direct from James Cook.
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
Sunderland Station to Seaham Station (Durham)
1h direct from James Cook.
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
Middlesbrough Station to Redcar Central Station (Yorkshire)
5m direct from James Cook.
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
Stockton Station to Billingham Station (Durham)
15m direct from James Cook.
Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Billingham Station to Hartlepool Station (Durham)
30m direct from James Cook.
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
Yarm Station to Stockton Station (Yorkshire)
15m direct from James Cook.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Darlington Station to Stockton Station (Durham)
15m direct from James Cook.
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
Middlesbrough Station to Hartlepool Station (Yorkshire)
5m direct from James Cook.
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)
30m direct from James Cook.
A short, flat, hard-surfaced walk, mainly along promenade.
Tough: steep ascents. 6km.