Chasing crags, coastlines and castles: The best walks in North East England

North East England is a hiker’s paradise. Within a couple of hours' drive, you can transition from the windswept Roman ridges of Hadrian’s Wall to rugged North Sea clifftops, rare red squirrel forests, and thunderous waterfalls.

Whether you're looking for a challenging all-day trek or a gentle afternoon stroll, here are five incredible walks in the North East, and the perfect campsite bases to pitch up at afterward.

1. The Roman ridge: Steel Rigg to Housesteads (Hadrian's Wall)

If you want the ultimate, postcard-perfect experience of Hadrian’s Wall, this is the stretch to walk. The trail hugs the dramatic wave-like crests of the Whin Sill escarpment, offering sweeping views into the wilderness to the north.

• The experience: A rollercoaster hike along the ancient Roman frontier. You'll pass Crag Lough (a stunning glacial lake reflecting the cliffs below) and walk through Milecastles before arriving at Housesteads Roman Fort, the most complete Roman ruin in Britain.
• Distance: 8 miles (13 km) circular loop (returning via the parallel valley path).
• Difficulty/accessibility: strenuous. Continuous, steep, short climbs up and down narrow stone steps. Not suitable for wheels or those with limited mobility.

Where can I stay near this walk?

Stay at either Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite (24 miles / 35-minute drive west) or River Breamish Club Campsite (35 miles / 50-minute drive northeast).

2. The border epic: The Northumberland Coast Path (Berwick to Holy Island)

This is a walk defined by big skies, dramatic sand dunes and the raw beauty of the North Sea. Walking south from the Scottish border, the coastline unfolds in a spectacular ribbon of sandy beaches and rocky headlands.

• The experience: A true coastal pilgrimage. Keep your eyes peeled for grey seals bobbing in the surf as you head toward the holy grail of the horizon: the tidal causeway of Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and its ancient, moody priory ruins.
• Distance: 12 miles (19 km) linear (one-way). Check local bus timetables for an easy ride back.
• Difficulty/accessibility: moderate. Mostly flat, grassy clifftops and sandy tracks, but it's a long, exposed walk that demands a good windbreaker.

Where can I stay near this walk?

Stay at Berwick Seaview Club Campsite (right at the starting point).

3. The tidal micro-adventure: St Mary’s Lighthouse

You don't need to hike for hours to experience something magical in the North East. This short beach-and-island walk is a favourite for families and nature lovers, but it comes with a catch: it's entirely ruled by the sea.

• The experience: Walking across a concrete causeway that completely disappears underwater when the tide rolls in. Once on the island nature reserve, you can explore rock pools, watch basking seals, and climb the 137 steps to the top of the white lighthouse.
• Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) return.
• Difficulty/accessibility: easy (tide dependent). Flat walking along the promenade and causeway. Accessible for pushchairs when the tide is out, though the ramp down to the sea has a slight slope.

Where can I stay near this walk?

Stay at Old Hartley Club Campsite (less than a mile walk to the causeway).

4. The river and the rainforest: The Durham Wear Peninsula

You don't often find a world-class heritage hike that feels like a deep-woods escape right in the middle of a city. Durham's river peninsula offers exactly that.

• The experience: This trail loops entirely around the high, wooded, steep-sided banks of the River Wear. As you walk under the canopy of ancient trees, the foliage suddenly breaks to reveal breathtaking, towering views of Durham Cathedral and Castle high above you on the cliffs.
• Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) circular.
• Difficulty/accessibility: moderate. Wide, well-worn dirt paths, but features some steep steps and uneven cobbled slopes as you climb from the river up into the historic city center.

Where can I stay near this walk?

Stay at Durham Grange Club Campsite (3 miles away).

5. The thunderous wonder: High Force Waterfall

Located deep in the Durham Dales, this walk takes you to one of England's most magnificent natural spectacles, where the River Tees suddenly drops 70 feet over a sheer cliff.

• The experience: A gentle, heavily wooded walk where the sound of rushing water grows from a distant hum to a deafening roar. The force of the water crashing into the plunge pool below is an unforgettable sight. Interestingly, it cascades over the exact same volcanic Whin Sill rock that supports Hadrian's Wall further north!
• Distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) return.
• Difficulty/accessibility: easy/accessible. A wide, impeccably maintained gravel path that slopes gently down to the falls. Highly accessible for robust pushchairs and mobility scooters.

Where can I stay near this walk?

Stay at Teesdale Barnard Castle Club Campsite (~12 miles / 20-minute scenic drive).

 

Top tips for walking the North East:

1. Check the tide tables: If you are tackling St Mary's Lighthouse or the Holy Island walk, checking the daily crossing times is non-negotiable. Don't get stranded!
2. Pack layers: The weather in the North East can change fast. A sunny stroll along the Durham riverbanks can feel very different from a wind-whipped hike on the Hadrian's Wall crags.
3. Download offline maps: While major trails are well-signposted, mobile signal can be patchy in the deep valleys of Teesdale and the central sections of the Wall.