The Grey Panthers

Explorer Maps 306 and 308, - Middlesbrough & Hartlepool / Durham & Sunderland

This walk is one which would be a delight in Summertime, but is attractive at any time of the year.
One of the big advantages of the walk is that it uses old railway track beds and firm footpaths (apart from one short section which crosses farmland), so that in wet or wintry weather it is a viable proposition for walkers.
There are sea views to be had, and it is also possible to walk along parts of the beach at Crimdon.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from the small parking area beside the Haswell - Hart Cycleway. This parking area is at the end of East Terrace in Hesleden (NZ44246 37931).
Head up East Terrace and follow the street North. At the road junction continue North until you come to a T-junction.
Cross over and immediately ahead is a field footpath.
Follow this field footpath Northwards for two fields, then turn left.
The footpath to Castle Eden Dene is found at the edge of this field. Head Northwards into Castle Eden Dene.
In the Dene, now head Eastwards towards the A1086 main road.
You can either cross the road by following the track, or follow the footpath that goes under the road by means of a tunnel that carries the Castle Eden Burn. This tunnel is dark, so if you feel uneasy about using it then it is better to cross the road by the track.
Continue Eastwards along the track under the railway viaduct until you come to Dene Mouth.
Here take the well signed footpath on your right that ascends to the top of the cliffs.
Follow the Durham Coast Path, - well signposted and waymarked, to Crimdon Park.
From Crimdon Park, follow the waymarks / footpath signs to the Haswell-Hart Railway Walkway.
Return to Hesleden along this track.