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Sunderland walks
New Herrington to Houghton-Le-Spring - Way of Learning
Visorando Member
2.80 mi
+213 ft
-240 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
Great North Forest Herrington Country Park to Washington WWT
2.91 mi
+177 ft
-374 ft
1h 30
Moderate
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This rural section of the walk takes in three of the North East's best known locations, Penshaw Monument, the River Wear and Washington Wetlands.
Houghton-Le-Spring Town (Accessible)
1.38 mi
+66 ft
-66 ft
0h 40
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
A short circular walk around Houghton-Le-Spring Town Centre passing some of the oldest buildings along the way. This walk has some gentle slopes but is on paved surfaces throughout.
Houghton-le-Spring to Bournmoor - Way of Learning
3.28 mi
+49 ft
-138 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
Great North Forest Washington WWT to Hylton Castle
3.67 mi
+108 ft
-66 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This section of the walk follows the banks of the Wear then climbs up into the suburbs of Sunderland finishing at Hylton Castle. The Shipwrights is the only reminder here of shipbuilding in Hylton and Ferryboat Lane, the only reminder that there was once a ferry here.
South Hylton to New Herrington - Way of Learning
3.78 mi
+338 ft
-217 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
Great North Forest Warden Law to Herrington Country Park
5.08 mi
+302 ft
-538 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Warden Law (England)
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.
River Wear Trail
10.46 mi
+262 ft
-269 ft
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This full day trail follows the northern bank of the River Wear from the tranquil section of the river at Fatfield, through the industrial outer reaches of Sunderland, finishing at Roker Pier at the mouth of the Wear. This is an alternative finish to the Weardale Way, which follows the southern bank of the Wear.
Coalfield Way
9.76 mi
+371 ft
-344 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Hetton (England)
The Coalfield Way is no longer a designated Long Distance Footpath, but still affords some spectacular views across former mining villages. The circular route passes through 2 country parks, Rainton Meadows and Hetton Lyons which are worth spending some time in. The route includes a climb from Rainton Meadows to Moorsley after which the route becomes more level. To enjoy the country parks, this could be enjoyed as a full day excursion.
Rainton Meadows - Dragonfly Route and Joe's Pond
0.75 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
0h 20
Easy
Departure from Hetton (England)
A short, accessible walk taking in Joe's Pond, a deep pond fringed with reeds. There are plenty of viewing points along the way to look for wildlife. Look out for common teal, common pochard, and tufted duck in winter and, in summer, great crested grebes. This walk is along well-made paths and boardwalks suitable for all abilities.
Great North Forest Path
68.17 mi
+3,146 ft
-3,150 ft
7 days
Moderate
Departure from Hetton (England)
The route circles the North East of England covering parts of County Durham and the former Tyne and Wear showcasing some of the best countryside the area has to offer from woodlands to the coast, passing through towns and former mining villages villages, the variety of landscapes passed on the way is constantly changing.
Great North Forest Rainton Meadows to Pittington
3.53 mi
+171 ft
-75 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Hetton (England)
This section walk starts at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and climbs up to the village of East Rainton before crossing fields to pick up the Pittington Way Railway Path to Low Pittington. As this route involves a climb you will have views back down towards Rainton Meadows.
Great North Forest Washington to Birtley to finish
4.60 mi
+299 ft
-292 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
Start this walk by exploring more of Washington Old Hall and the new town of Washington with its mining heritage at the 'F' Pit Museum and Bowes Railway before crossing fields to Birtley along the Bowes Railway Path.
Weardale Way Alternative Last Section - Pallion to Roker
4.87 mi
+157 ft
-259 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This section of the English Coast Path starts by crossing the Northern Spire Bridge and then follows the northern bank of the River Wear passing the Queen Alexandra Bridge, Stadium of Light and Wearmouth Bridge where it rejoins the original Weardale Way path around the marina to the end of the walk at Roker. This walk passes remnants of the ship building industry along the Wear and new developments such as the Northern Spire Bridge and Sunderland university Campus.
Weardale Way - Pallion to Roker
3.82 mi
+75 ft
-180 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This urban section of the English Coast Path passes through Pallion and Deptford, the center of shipbuilding on the Wear. There is plenty of evidence left of this industry, The route slightly deviates from the original Weardale Way route to follow the new A1231 route passing the recently reinstated Doxford Shipyard Gate.
Great North Forest Path Hetton Lyons to Warden Law
3.63 mi
+190 ft
-20 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Hetton (England)
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.
Great North Forest Hylton Castle to Whitburn
5.41 mi
+151 ft
-223 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This section of the walk begins at Hylton Castle (English Heritage) before passing through Hylton Dene, then passes through urban areas before crossing farmland and onto the pretty village of Whitburn and the coast line of Whitburn and Seaburn.
Ashbrooke, Sunderland (Accessible)
2.30 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
1h 05
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
Historic Buildings of Sunderland's East End
2.43 mi
+108 ft
-102 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
England Coast Path - Sunderland City Centre to Ryhope
3.46 mi
+151 ft
-131 ft
1h 45
Moderate
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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
Wearmouth Bridge to South Hylton - Way of Learning
4.08 mi
+233 ft
-144 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This 4th stretch of the Way of Learning follows the north bank of the River Wear taking in the industrial and commercial areas of Sunderland. The highlight of the walk are the 3 impressive bridges across the River Wear. The walk starts at the Wearmouth Bridge, passes the Queen Alexandra Bridge and then crosses the new Northern Spire Bridge. Along the way, look out for remnants of Sunderland's mining and shipbuilding past.
England Coast Path - Ryhope to Seaham
4.09 mi
+75 ft
-105 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
Sunderland Beach and Park Circular
2.77 mi
+92 ft
-95 ft
1h 20
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
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.
England Coast Path - Roker to Sunderland City Centre
3.31 mi
+154 ft
-85 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This riverside section of the England Coast Path follows the mouth of the Wear from Roker to Hendon finishing at the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens in the city centre. The Wear was famous for its shipbuilding, all now long gone, but its religious past and glass making industry are still present. Alongside new developments the changing face of Sunderland is very evident in this walk.
Seaburn Park to St Peter's Church - Bede's Way
1.52 mi
+36 ft
-10 ft
0h 45
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
Bede's way is a walk linking the twin monastic sites of St Paul's in Jarrow and St Peter's at Monkwearmouth in Sunderland. The walk is split into 6 easily walked sections which can be walked individually or all together. So why not follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and explore the North East's religious heritage. This the 6th section begins at Seaburn Park before passing through Roker before finishing at St Peter's Church.
Whitburn to Wearmouth Bridge - Way of Learning
4.03 mi
+164 ft
-138 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Sunderland (England)
This is the 3rd section of the Way of Learning. From Whitburn, the route follows the coastline passing beaches, arcades, cafes, lighthouses, a park and pier before turning to follow the north bank of the River Wear past the National Glass Museum and St Peter's Church before finishing at the iconic Wearmouth Bridge.
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