Walks you can reach from Thornaby by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Stockton Station to Middlesbrough Station (Durham)
5m direct from Thornaby.
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)
15m direct from Thornaby.
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)
30m direct from Thornaby.
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
Middlesbrough Station to Redcar Central Station (Yorkshire)
5m direct from Thornaby.
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)
5m direct from Thornaby.
Easy: 7km, gentle ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Billingham Station to Hartlepool Station (Durham)
15m direct from Thornaby.
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)
5m direct from Thornaby.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Darlington Station to Stockton Station (Durham)
5m direct from Thornaby.
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
Darlington Station to Yarm Station (Durham)
15m direct from Thornaby.
Tough: 24km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
East Boldon Station to Sunderland Station (Durham)
45m direct from Thornaby.
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
Middlesbrough Station to Hartlepool Station (Yorkshire)
5m direct from Thornaby.
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
Northallerton Station to Yarm Station (Yorkshire)
15m direct from Thornaby.
A long, demanding rural route through fields, woods and quiet villages, starting well on footpaths to Brompton but becoming very tricky from Ings Beck onward, with no clear paths across hayfields and waist-high grass. Poorly maintained throughout, with blocked or missing stiles, locked gates and overgrown footbridges and ditch crossings. Sections through villages and on lanes are pleasant. Coincides with the Coast to Coast path in places, which provides a clearer alternative around some obstacles.
Tough: 24km. Gentle ascents.
Much of the route is poorly maintained, with blocked or missing stiles, locked or overgrown gates, slurry heaps across the path, waist-high nettles and grass, and unbridged ditches to scramble across; signage is very poor with few finger posts or waymarkers, so careful navigation is essential. Sturdy clothing is advisable.