Durham Coast National Nature Reserve

This out and back route takes in 3 of the lesser known gills (narrow valleys) along the Durham Coast National Nature Reserve following a short stretch of the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast Path providing stunning views of the coast.

Technical sheet

n°21654873
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 84 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 72 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 55 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 16 m
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Description of the walk

(S) From Lime Kiln Gill car park walk back up Cotsford Lane, there will be a sign on your right and a footpath.

(1) Take the footpath which heads in a northeasterly direction which then bears left along the cliff tops passing the Little Tern Sculpture.

(2) At the point where the main path loops back towards the car park, take the narrower path on your right which slopes down towards Blackills Gill.

(3) When you reach the Gill, take the path to the left (the path to the right goes down to the beach) and cross the bridge over Blackhills Gill and follow the path up the slope.

(4) At the next path junction, take the left path which starts in a westerly direction and then turns northeast at the railway tracks. When you reach the settlement ponds, turn right back towards the coast.

(5) When you reach the main Durham Coast Path, turn right crossing Whitesides Gill and follow this back to the path junction (4) and then retrace your steps back to the car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 23 m - Lime Kiln Gill Car Park/Cotsford Lane
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 32 m - Signboard
  3. 2 : km 1.2 - alt. 30 m - Main Path Loop
  4. 3 : km 1.29 - alt. 16 m - Path Junction at Blackhills Gill
  5. 4 : km 1.46 - alt. 30 m - Path Junction
  6. 5 : km 2.48 - alt. 32 m - England Coast Path/Settling Ponds
  7. E : km 4.51 - alt. 32 m - Lime Kiln Gill Car Park/Cotsford Lane

Practical information

Transport: Park at Lime Kiln Gill car park. Buses from Peterlee stop in Horden from where you will need to walk down Cotsford Lane. There is also a train station if you are coming from Hartlepool or Sunderland.
Facilities: There are no toilets or cafes on this route although you will find these in Peterlee Town Centre.
Accessibility: Part of this walk is along well made paths, from the car park follow steps (1) and (2) then loop back on the better path to the car park.

In the nearby area

Other walks in the area

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The 33rd section of the walk begins in the village of Hesleden and follows an easy downhill walk along the Hart to Haswll Walkway (cycle path) to the coast. The route then follows the Durham Coast Path, allowing plenty of time to explore the dunes at Crimdon or Crimdon Dene.

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