Warden Law walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This short section of the Weardale Way winds through Biddick Woods and along both banks of the River Wear giving views of the Victoria Viaduct. It is gently downhill or level for most of the route and paved for most of the way making it a good walk after rain. There are a number of pubs along the river to while away a wet afternoon or enjoy a summer drink at the end of the walk.

This 8th section of the Way of Learning follows the meandering route of Lumley Park Burn from Bournmoor to the River Wear at Chester-le-Street. The majority of the walk is through woodland, Lumley Park Wood, circles Lumley Castle finishing at the church of St Mary and St Cuthbert in Chester-le-Street centre.

An easy circular walk around the historic Lambton Estate.

The inital climb from Low Pittington to Moorsley can be tough, particularly after the rain, however the views back across to the Raintons and Houghton-Le-Spring are tremendous. The second half of the walk follows footpaths and cycle paths through Moorsley and Hetton to finish at Hetton Lyons Country Park.

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.

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.

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.

This is a short but interesting walk around Hawthorn Dene. In early spring look out for the carpets of snowdrops in the woods, later there will be wild garlic and bluebells.

This section follows the Durham Heritage Coast path along the cliff tops from Seaham to Easington Colliery. This is a rural section passing Hawthorn Dene and Beacon Hill providing stunning views out to sea and finishing with a visit to the Pit Cage Monument at Easington Colliery.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This short walk gives some wonderful views of Finchale Priory (English Heritage). It is especially nice in summer when the slow walk through the woods is cooling under the trees. This is one of my favourite places, an idyllic stretch of the River Wear.

This section begins at Finchale Priory with a climb up through Cocken Woods, it then passess through Great Lumley before crossing farmland down to the river. The path then circles Lumley Castle and then follows Lumley Park Beck to Fencehouses. This section includes steep climbs as well as farm tracks and stiles.

This 2nd section of the Durham Round Trail walk heads away from Durham City, starting at the picturesque Finchale Priory, then meandering through woodland and crossing farmland to rejoin the banks of the River Wear at the magnificent Lumley Castle, before heading through Riverside Park to Chester-le-Street Market Place. The initial part of the walk involves a steep climb, then it is all downhill from Lumley.

The final 10th section of the Way of Learning leaves the tranquil Finchale Priory the heads towards Durham City Centre passing HMP Frankland, Brasside Ponds and following the River Wear once more before ending at Durham Cathedral.

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.

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.

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.

This section of the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast Path is another rural section which covers several denes creating an undulating walk along dirt footpaths.

This short circular walk passes the Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve and Passive Mine Water Treatment Plant then returns via the England Coast Path providing views out out to see.

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.

This slightly longer section has it all, stretches through countryside, housing developments, industrial areas, a museum, nature reserve and historic house. This section winds its way through Washington New Town, and although you will pass many industrial areas and new houses, you will also see evidence of the collection of villages which existed long before the new town.

This final section of the Way of Love feels like a pilgrimage walk, first crossing fields to the River Wear, then winding its way through the older parts of Durham finally arriving at the Cathedral. Glimpses of the Cathedral can be seen all along the route.

This fully accessible walk starts and ends at the town centre and winds its way through residentaial areas passing Shotton Hall, Victor Pasmore's Apollo Pavillion and several parks.

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.

This stretch of the walk does not pass through any forests, however it takes in a beautiful stretch of the North East coast, an historic lighthouse, old lime kilns, nature reserve, water tower and windmill, overlapping with Bede's Way and the England Coast Path.