The Grey Panthers

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

A walk that is very easy to navigate and which has few difficulties.
The first section follows the railway walkway between Hesleden and Crimdon. The walk the continues along the Durham Coast Path to Castle Eden Dene, returning via the Dene and field footpaths to Hesleden.
Possibly the only section which might cause a problem is the descent into, followed by ascent out of, the dene between Crimdon and Blackhall. Steps are provided, though, to help with this rather steep section.
There are excellent sea views, and the route over the cliff top is across some quite extensive wild flower meadows.

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!!

There is a small parking area in Hesleden by the Hart to Haswell Railway Walkway (NZ442 379). THis is found at the end of East Terrace.
Follow the Railway Walkway in a South Easterly direction until you come to a railway footbridge at Hart Station (after about 2.8 miles).
Cross the railway by the footbridge, then continue along the footpath to Crimdon Beach.
Cross the burn by the footbridge near Crimdon Beach), then follow the signposted Durham Coast Path along the cliff edge and past the caravan park.
Once past the caravan park the footpath heads to a railway bridge, then follows beside the railway line for a couple of hundred yards. The path then descends into a dene, and ascends again, via some steps.
Once out of the dene, turn right and follow the Durham Coast path all the way to Castle Eden Dene.
You may need to check your map at a couple of points, as there are several paths which join the Durham Coast Path.
Once in Castle Eden Dene, head up the dene. Once under the railway viaduct follow the road out of the dene. Cross the A1086 then follow the road back into the dene.
Continue up the dene, with the Castle Eden Burn on your left, until you come to the third bridge over the burn (the Garden of Eden Bridge).
Cross over this bridge. About 100 yards up the track through the dene, take the track on your left that goes fairly steeply up the hill.
At the top of the hill, somewhat hidden is a stile on your left that connects with the footpath back to Hesleden.
Follow this field footpath back to the Hesleden Road. Cross the road and continue on to Hesleden and your starting point.