Walks you can reach from Reston by train

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).

Recommended: Stunning views of the Bass Rock and the North Sea. A gorgeous, flat and easy route on very well-surfaced paths, almost entirely off-road. Passes through farmland, woodland and the Tyne estuary and with a dramatic final clifftop approach to Dunbar along the edge of the golf course and beach. Follows the John Muir Way. Plenty of bird life along the Tyne estuary; look out for seals in Dunbar harbour, and emus and llamas at the back of East Links Family Park.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 3h30–7h

End-of-walk reward: Ice cream may await on Dunbar High Street.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Urban walk with some climbing, through parkland with views over the city, and along Portobello promenade.

Time: 3h–5h30

Warnings: A quarter urban. Some climbing.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Coastal walk with some climbing, partly inland and along main roads.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Time: 8h30–17h

Warnings: Some climbing, two stretches on main roads, and paths sometimes unclear.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: Very pleasant route; A lovely, varied route; great views north and south; Lots of vistas both north and south. A lovely, varied and well-surfaced route with very few steep sections and only one set of steps, passing through woodland and farmland with great views north and south. Mostly traffic-free, well-signposted and still direct and used by walkers and mountain bikers. Follows the John Muir Way, signposted all the way; extending to or from Dunbar makes a full day. Passes close by North Berwick Law, well worth climbing. North Berwick and East Linton are both historic and worth exploring.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: A very green, quiet and largely traffic-free route, gently downhill towards Edinburgh for most of the way, with a good surface throughout. It follows the Water of Leith Walkway and then the Union Canal towpath and ending through the city's parks and streets. A few steepish slopes but no stairs; the river path can be muddy in places. Follows National Cycle Route 75 for most of its length and is part of the John Muir Way; the Colinton Tunnel is a highlight. Princes Street Gardens open at 7am and close at dusk.

Waterway: three quarters beside rivers and canals.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: Cafes near the route at Juniper Green, though most open around 10am.

Warnings: The Slateford Aqueduct has only a narrow, cobbled towpath with a drop, so take care and be patient when passing others.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Route into Edinburgh along the shoreline and old railway path, with some modest climbing.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Varied but mainly flat walk following the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 7h30–15h

Warnings: Widdrington has only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h–7h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.