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Castle Eden Walkway

9.32 miles (15 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy a cycle or walk along this disused railway line which runs along National Cycle Network Route 1. It's a nice easy traffic free ride for families or beginners.
The route starts to the west of the County Durham village of Castle Eden and heads south through Wingate to Station Town. You continue past the pretty Hurworth Burn Reservoir. There's a nice circular trail around the water and some benches where you can stop for a rest. It's a lovely peaceful spot with lots of birds to look out for on the water.
The route then continues past Brierley Wood and Thorpe Wood Nature Reserve, where there are more wildlife spotting opportunites. The route finishes at the lovely Wynyard Woodland Park. This country park in Billingham has woodland trails, a wildflower meadow and a planetarium and observatory. There's also a nice cafe where you can refresh yourself after your exercise.
Near the start of the route there is the splendid Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve. The reserve contains a wide variety of flora and fauna, woodland trails and the pretty Castle Eden Burn.

Castle Eden Walkway OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Castle Eden Walkway Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The cafe in Wynyard Woodland Park is a good option but you could also head to the Castle Eden Inn. It's located just to the east of the path near the start. They do very good food and also have two beer gardens where you can sit outside on warmer days. It's a welcoming place with a cosy atmosphere and is also dog friendly. You can find it on Stockton Rd with a postcode of TS27 4SD for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Near the start of the route you can link up with National Cycle Route 14 and the Haswell to Hart Countryside Walkway. The multi-user trail uses the trackbed of a disused railway line to travel between the two old stations.

Photos

Castle Eden Walkway bridge - geograph.org.uk - 35113

Castle Eden Walkway bridge. This bridge carries the Castle Eden Walkway over the A689

Carved seat on the Castle Eden Walkway - geograph.org.uk - 150769

 At the northern end of the route there are a couple of interesting wood carvings such as this seat seen here

Castle Eden Walkway - geograph.org.uk - 1521609

Nice view of the path

Castle Eden Walkway - geograph.org.uk - 150766

The Castle Eden Walkway is a foot- and cycle-path which follows the line of a disused railway which traverses County Durham from north to south. Part of the National Cycle Network. Drainage in cuttings is often a problem on railway paths - solved here by excavating a longitudinal pond alongside the path

Castle Eden Walkway - geograph.org.uk - 150759

Two cyclists on the path

Footbridge over north west corner of Hurworth Burn Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1383543

Footbridge over north west corner of Hurworth Burn Reservoir, just south of the start point. This carries a public footpath giving access to surrounding countryside at the site of this reservoir which is owned by The Hartlepool Water Company. The trail passes along the eastern side of the reservoir.

Crossing of the Castle Eden Walkway at Station Town - geograph.org.uk - 150767

Crossing of the Castle Eden Walkway at Station Town

Towards Embleton Old Hall - geograph.org.uk - 215321

Towards Embleton Old Hall. Countryside view south of Hurworth Burn Reservoir.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Castle Eden Walkway.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Castle Eden Walkway.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)