Regional Guide
The Best Walks in the North East
Few corners of England offer walking this varied: a coastline of castles and empty beaches, the wild border hills of the Cheviots, hidden waterfall gorges and the greatest Roman monument in Britain. Here are our favourites, from a flat seafront stroll to a proper hill day — with a note on where to start each.
Coast walks
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle
near Alnwick
1.3 miles each way · flat · coastal
The classic Northumberland coast walk. From the fishing village of Craster, the signposted coast path runs along grassy clifftops for a gentle 1.3 miles to the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle — which can only be reached on foot. Extend it into a circular via the golden sands of Embleton Bay and quiet farm lanes.
Plan a day in Alnwick→Tynemouth to St Mary's Island
North Tyneside
~3 miles · flat · promenade
An easy, entirely flat seafront walk from the clifftop ruins of Tynemouth Priory, past the surfers on Longsands and the pretty former fishing village of Cullercoats, along the length of Whitley Bay to St Mary's Lighthouse on its tidal island. Cafés and beaches the whole way — the region's most accessible great walk.
Plan a day in Tynemouth→Hills & moorland
Simonside Hills
above Rothbury
Sandstone ridge · big views
A dramatic sandstone ridge rising above Coquetdale in the Northumberland National Park, with forest tracks giving way to open heather moor and a crest of crags. The reward is one of the finest panoramas in the county — the Cheviots to the north, the coast to the east — for a walk of moderate effort.
The Cheviot Hills
Northumberland National Park
Remote hill walking
The wild, rounded hills along the Scottish border are the North East's big-mountain country. The Cheviot itself is the highest point in Northumberland; the surrounding valleys — the Breamish, the College — offer everything from gentle riverside strolls to serious hill days. Come prepared: this is remote, boggy, weather-exposed ground.
Waterfalls & woodland
Hareshaw Linn
Bellingham
3.5-mile circular · waterfall
One of Northumberland's loveliest short walks: a 3.5-mile circular from Bellingham that follows a burn up a lush, wooded gorge — crossing and re-crossing it on little footbridges — to a 30-foot waterfall at its head. The gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, rich in rare mosses, ferns and lichens.
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge
near Hexham
~4-mile circular · ancient woodland
The largest area of ancient woodland in Northumberland, cared for by the National Trust, where a gentle four-mile circular follows the River Allen through the dramatic Staward Gorge. Along the way lie the remains of a medieval tower and a Victorian garden — a peaceful, sheltered walk close to Hadrian's Wall country.
Plan a day in Hexham→For the region’s most famous walk of all — the crags of the central section — see our guide to Hadrian’s Wall.
Plan & book your visit
- Join the National Trust→— free parking & entry at Cragside, Allen Banks & the Farne Islands
- Find places to stay in Northumberland→
More North East guides
Pair a walk with the region’s best beaches, castles and gardens, browse the full Visit the North East guide, or see what’s on this weekend.