Crimdon to Horden - Durham Round Trail

Start - Park in Crimdon Beach Car Park next to the Dunes Cafe, Crimdon Dene, Hartelpool, TS27 4BL

(S) From the cafe, take the England Coast Path/Durham Coast Path north along the top of the cliffs with the holiday park to your left. The path will bear left at Limekiln Gill. Continue to walk along the top of the gill until you reach the railway bridge.

(1) At the railway bridge, turn right and look down Limekiln Gill for a view of the sea. The path then turns right again, cross the stile and follow a hedge of gorse on your right. After 150m the path will turn left heading northwest along the top of Cross Gill towards the railway line again.

(2) Cross the stile and turn right going down the steps and across Cross Gill and back up the steps on the other side. At the top, turn right, cross another stile and continue to follow Cross Gill on your right towards the sea. After 200m the path will double back on itself. Continue to follow the path along the cliff tops passing Blackhall Grasslands Nature Reserve

(3) There is a path and steps to the beach if you wish to visit, return to the path after this and continue northwest. Passing Blackhall Rocks Car Park and Picnic area on your left, ignore all other paths to your left and continue to follow the Durham Coast Path along the cliff tops.

(4) There are 2 viewpoints above Gin Cave. Continue following the coastal path northwest, keep to the path closest to the cliff edge.

(5) At the end of Station Road there is an access point to Blackhall Rocks Beach. To continue the walk, bear left along the well-defined footpath heading northwest. The well-defined path turns west, either take this path and turn right at the end or continue along the cliff tops until you reach Blue House Gill where the path turns left.

(6) At the corner of Blue House Gill turn right (or continue straight ahead if you followed the well-defined path) and then turn right following the coast path along the top of Blue House Gill. The path will turn left again at the cliff tops.

(7) Continue northwest, there is another beach access point to your right. Continuing on, you will see allotments to your left. Shortly after this, the path will turn sharply left and meet a track.

(8) There is a wide track in front of you, if it is dry you can take this route, otherwise take the path to your left and cross the footbridge over Castle Eden Burn. Look to your left to see the viaduct. There are paths to your left which will take you into Castle Eden Dene. Continue ahead following the path upwards, there is access here to Horden Beach and then to the left into Limekiln Gill Car Park on Cotsford Lane (E).

Alternative Route: To avoid the long walk from Cotsford Lane back to the Coast Road, turn left after crossing the footbridge towards Horden Viaduct, entering Castle Eden Dene. Keep to the right and pick up the surfaced road which will take you through the dene to the Coast Road. Turn right on the coast road and walk to the bus stop.

Transport: There is parking at both Crimdon Beach and Horden Beach (Cotsford Lane). Arriva bus service 24 runs along the Coast Road between Horden and Crimdon.

Facilities: There is a cafe at the start of the route, but no other facilities along the way. There are picnic benches at Blackhall Rocks and of course the beach if you wish to bring a picnic.

Accessibility: This route is not accessible as there are many steps, stiles and difficult to see paths in areas.

Accommodation: There is a holiday park at the beginning of the walk. There is also accommodation in Blackhall, try the Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel or Hardwick Hotel in Blackhall or Ship Inn in High Hesleden. There are other options in Hartlepool connect with the 24 bus.

• Crimdon Dene - Crimdon Dene with its stunning viaduct and soft dunes is worth time exploring on its own. There are views across to Hartlepool Headland and Steetley Pier
• Blackhall Rocks and Cross Gill - gills and denes are steep valleys. Many along the coast are based on limestone and give a home to lots of plants and wildlife.
• Blackhall Grasslands Nature Reserve - Continue your exploration of the coast by visiting the beach and caves at Blackhall Rocks.
• Castle Eden Dene and Denemouth - The spectacular Horden Viaduct can be seen from Denemouth. Here the beach can also be accessed. Castle Eden Dene can also be explored seperately.