GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Great North Forest Heritage Trail

65.24 miles (105 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular cycle and walking route takes you through the countryside of this former mining area in Tyne and Wear. The trail passes Pelton, Bournmoor, Hetton-Le-Hole, the Penshaw Monument and Witherwack. The route includes a section along the River Wear in Sunderland and a delightful coastal section visiting Whitburn, Marsden Bay, the splendid magnesian limestone cliffs at the Leas in South Shields and Souter Lighthouse. You will also visit Lumley Castle - a 14th century quadrangular castle at Chester-le-Street with lovely gardens. Also of interest is the Penshaw Monument - a folly situated on on Penshaw Hill dedicated to John George Lambton, first Earl of Durham. The video below shows the splendid views from this most beloved landmark which appears on the badge of Sunderland Football Club.
Near Stanley the route visits the oldest single-arch railway bridge in the world at Causey Arch.
The historic site includes a lovely woodland gorge, interesting geology and views of the Tanfield Heritage Railway which runs through the area.
The route is waymarked with a yellow and green disc.

Great North Forest Heritage Trail OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Great North Forest Heritage Trail Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Photos

Penshaw monument (6405902427)

Penshaw monument

Lumley Castle 02

Lumley Castle

Hetton Lyons Country Park - geograph.org.uk - 314165

Hetton Lyons Country Park. The trail passes through this park located in Hetton-Le-Hole in Tyne and Wear. The public open space is maintained by Sunderland City Council. The W2W Cycle Route also passes through the Park.

Rainton Meadows

Rainton Meadows. Near Durham there's the Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve with its lakes and wildlife.

Souter Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 769703

Souter Lighthouse

Causey Arch - geograph.org.uk - 3256820

Causey Arch

GPS Files

GPX File

Great North Forest Heritage Trail.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Great North Forest Heritage Trail.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)