Hawthorn walks

This is a short but interesting walk around Hawthorn Dene. In early spring look out for the carpets of snowdrops in the woods, later there will be wild garlic and bluebells.

This section follows the Durham Heritage Coast path along the cliff tops from Seaham to Easington Colliery. This is a rural section passing Hawthorn Dene and Beacon Hill providing stunning views out to sea and finishing with a visit to the Pit Cage Monument at Easington Colliery.

The 36th section of the walk continues along one of the most spectacular stretches of the Durham Coast Path giving a further opportunity to explore more of the denes along the coast, taking in Hawthorn Viaduct and finishing in the coastal town of Seaham providing further opportunity to explore the harbour and seafront.

This section of the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast Path is another rural section which covers several denes creating an undulating walk along dirt footpaths.

This short circular walk passes the Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve and Passive Mine Water Treatment Plant then returns via the England Coast Path providing views out out to see.

The 38th section of the walk takes in some of the farming land and woodland between the former mining villages of South Hetton, Littletown and Pittington.

This alternative section leaves the seafront and passes through some of the more charming parts of Seaham with its parks and streams before passing through the village of Dalton-le-Dale. The route continues past Dalton Park providing an opportunity to explore its shops, restaurants and footpaths before rejoining the original route.

The 37th section of the walk leaves Seaham seafront. The route follows the old South Hetton railway line up Stoney Cut Bank which gives a view back to the North Sea from the top. The route then passes through new developments still following the old railway line until it arrives in South Hetton. An alternative, more scenic, route is available via Dalton-le-Dale.

This fully accessible walk starts and ends at the town centre and winds its way through residentaial areas passing Shotton Hall, Victor Pasmore's Apollo Pavillion and several parks.

This largely rural section covers a lot of farm land with a number of hills enabling views of the surrounding area and finishes in Herrington Country Park, created when the spoil heap from the pit was cleared.

This section starts in a busy country park then follows old routes across the countryside giving views of the surrounding area. Marvel at the windfarm along the way.

This section of the England Coast Path continues down the rural areas of County Durham ending at Crimdon passing through Castle Eden Dene and Crimdon Dene finishing at a popular holiday park. There are nature reserves and rock formations to explore along with long sandy beaches and sand dunes. This section has some steep inclines and steps and is therefore not accessible.

Section 35 of the walk takes in more of the beautiful County Durham coast finishing in Easington Colliery where some evidence of the mining past of the area is still evident. The beach is worth visiting now, but was once the dumping site of waste from the pit. A pit cage is visible in the nature reserve and the old pay office is now a cafe.

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.

This circular walk takes in a varied stretch of the Durham coastline and provides views of Denemouth viaduct and access to 2 nature reserves along a stretch of the Durham Coastal Path.

This section starts along the cliff tops at Ryhope and then drops down to Ryhope Dene eventually arriving at Seaham Hall Beach. The section then continues along Seaham Promenade to the National Trust managed land at Noses Point. This walk gives a good contrast between the rugged cliff tops and traditional seaside town.

The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This section connects Hesleden with Wingate, one of the larger villages in East Durham connecting the church of St Mary's in Hesleden with All Saint's in Wingate.

Leaving St Michael's and All Angels' Church behind, the route heads through a park, past housing developments into open countryside before returning to villages ending at the Floater's Mill pub.

The full tour of Castle Eden Dene taking in all the best parts with varied and interesting scenery:- Old buildings, open country, ancient woodland, the North East coastline, a magnesium limestone dene with its craggy outcrops, a meandering river and steep-sided gorge. There is a multitude of flora and fauna; if you are quiet you may see squirrels and/or deer. Starts and finished near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food.

An flat out and return along the Castle Eden Walkway, starting from Castle Eden and going South to the old railway station at Thorpe Thewles, then returning via the same route. This follows the national cycle way route 1 and in most parts is easy to follow. Usually done on a bicycle but can be walked. Interesting scenery and also alternative diversions if on foot.

A short and relatively easy walk which explores the lesser known Durham Denes that lie to the south of Castle Eden Dene.

A flat out and return along National Cycle Route 1, starting from Castle Eden and going North to Ryhope, then returning via the same route. This is a companion ride to Castle Eden Walkway : https://www.visorando.co.uk/walk-castle-... although not as scenic.

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.

A varied and interesting circular walk from Castle Eden. It starts and finishes near the Castle Eden Inn which is well known for its good beer and good food. Explore the lesser known denes that lie to the south of the village via the disused railway which is now a bridle path and part of the national cycle network. Traverse the coastal path north before dropping to the beach and then heading back via the better known Castle Eden Dene.

This circular walk encompasses Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve and Cross Gill and provides opportunties to explore Blackhall Rocks beach with its caves. The cliffe top walk allows spectacular views of the Durham Coast.

The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This 3rd section of the route passes through the former mining communitis of the Trimdons, Trimdon Station (Deaf Hill), Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Village and finishes in Trimdon Grange. The route now passes through woodland and rolling green fields, but you may be able to spot evidence of mining in the area as you walk.

This walk begins and ends on the Promenade taking in a stroll through Mowbray Park, a visit of Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. After returning through the more industrial areas of Sunderland along a section of the England Coast Path, end with a walk on the beach.

This trail traces the history of mining in the villages around Station Town, Wingate, Trimdon Station, Wheatley Hill, and Thornley. The route is marked by disks.

This walk takes in Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve and Wingate Welfare Park with its football pitch, bowling green, play park and woodland walk. The walk first follows a green lane and passes through the site of Wingate Grange pit, then on the return follows the track of the old Wingate railway line.

This 6th section of Way of Learning begins in the village of New Herrington and crosses farmland to reach the village of Newbottle. Continuing through the village, the route then crosses more fields before arriving at the top of Houghton Cut, from Houghton Hill there are views across Houghton-le-Spring and beyond. The route then drops down to Houghton-le-Spring where the walk ends in the town centre at St Michael's Church.

The 32nd section of the walk connects with the Castle Eden Walkway and the Hart to Haswell Walkway. A short section passes through the village of Station Town before descending to Hope Heads Dene. There are many denes along the Durham coast, these are steepsided valleys, usually with a stream at the bottom. After passing through the village of Castle Eden, the route then follows a well-made cycle path. An alternative, accessible route, has been given in the description.

Easy walk around Wingate area. Look out for the Miner's Trail sculptures.

A walk through the conservation area of Ashbrooke in Sunderland including many fine buildings, Mowbray Park, Backhouse Park and finishing at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens.

The East End of Sunderland has undergone a lot of redevelopment, however there are a large number of historic buildings, many of them listed. This walk starts and ends at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens in the town centre and first drops down to follow the south bank of the River Wear before circling Old Sunderland.

Section 34 of the walk follows the Durham Heritage Coast along a section of the Durham Coast Path. Look carefully and you may see traces of the mining industry which was prevalent along this stretch of the coast. Along the way you will need to navigate several of the coastal denes and gills.

This England Coast Path section starts in Sunderland City Centre and picks up the route in Hendon following a mostly urban route for the first half of the walk which then turns down to the cliff tops for the remainder of the walk to Ryhope. On this route you will see many new developments, including the A1018 which the route follows

This circular walk starts out with a cliff top walk to Limekiln Gill, then follows the main road back to Crimdon Dene passing under the spectacular viaduct and following Crimdon Beck back towards the dunes providing views towards Hartlepool Headland and Steetley Pier.

This section of the England Coast Path begins at the popular holiday park at Crimdon and follows a more urban route to the historic Hartlepool Headland finishing at the old town walls.

This stretch of path follows two railway paths across open farmland between the former mining villages of Trimdon Grange and Kelloe. A church can be found at each end of the walk, St Alban's in Trimdon Grange and St Helen's in Kelloe.

The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This second section of the walk covers a couple of villages as well as farmland and woodland crossing Crimdon Beck and Bellows Burn.

This is a largely rural walk, taking in the villages of Kelloe and Cassop. The walk follows field boundaries and woodland, giving a view of County Durham which would have been very different 50 years ago when the collieries were still operating. Keep a look out for evidence of the mining heritage of County Durham during your walk.

This is the 5th section of the Way of Learning. From the busy housing estates of South Hylton, the route passes under the A19 and into open countryside and small villages. The route climbs Penshaw Hill to Penshaw Monument for spectacular views of the surrounding area before descending to Herrington Country Park finishing in the village of New Herrington.