Cycling Routes in Durham

Explore Durham Region on two wheels! County Durham has 543km of bridleways, 45km of byways and over 150km of railway paths which offer excellent facilities for leisure and commuter use. The trails and on-road cycling routes will lead you through a variety of breathtaking landscapes.

Stanhope Cycle Route

Stanhope Cycle Route

This cycle route takes you along the minor lanes from Stanhope to Rookhope and Westgate in Weardale, a beautiful rural valley with fascinating heritage and spectacular countryside. There are good pubs and facilities in all the settlements on the route.

Read More

Sherburn Way Railway Path

Sherburn Way Railway Path

Coal mining arrived in this area in the 1840s with the arrival of local railways. This Railway Path once formed part of the Lambton Railway and it linked three collieries: Sherburn House Colliery, Sherburn Colliery and Sherburn Hill Colliery
Read More

Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route

Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route

The C2C Cycle Route is one of the most popular cycle routes in the UK starting in the West of the country at Whitehaven or Workington and finishing in the East Coast at Newcastle or Sunderland. Distance: 140 miles.
Read More

The Beamish Loop

The Beamish Loop

The Beamish Loop is a 7 mile challenging cycle route off and on-road. It is marked on the Durham County Council North Durham Cycle Map as CDN6

Read More

Brandon to Bishop Auckland Railway Path

Brandon to Bishop Auckland Railway Path

A 9 mile route from Broompark Picnic Site, just outside Durham City to Bishop Auckland, residence of previous Bishops of Durham, running past Brancepeth, Willington, Sunnybrow, Hunwick and Toronto.
Read More

The South Durham Orbital Cycle Route

The South Durham Orbital Cycle Route

The South Durham Orbital is a 54 mile challenging cycle route taking in Durham City, Haswell, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Bishop Auckland using National Cycle Networks and railway paths as well as on-road sections. It is marked on the Durham County Council South Durham Cycle Map.
Read More

Joint Stocks Route

Joint Stocks Route

Joint Stocks Route: 4 miles. Information provided by Durham County Council's Sustainable Travel Department with the Active Life Centre @ Coxhoe, Natural England and East Durham Leader
Read More

Auckland Way Railway Path

Auckland Way Railway Path

A 4.3 mile route between Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor on a former railway line passing New Coundon and Binchester.
Read More

Easington Colliery to Haswell Cycle Route

Easington Colliery to Haswell Cycle Route

A 4 mile linear cycle route from Easington Colliery to Haswell. Route taken from Durham County Council North Cycle Map.
Read More

Bishop Auckland to Weardale Cycle Route

Bishop Auckland to Weardale Cycle Route

Route: (undulating with sharp climbs) - 65 miles. This route passes near to the following Taste Durham establishment: Bradley Burn Farm Shop and Cafe, The Durham Dales Centre.

Cold Knuckles Connection

Cold Knuckles Connection

Cold Knuckles Connection: 4 miles.
Read More

Waskerley Way Railway Path

Waskerley Way Railway Path

The Waskerley Way is a beautiful 9.7 mile route passing through a varied landscape, from urban fringe through to upland sheep farms and on to exposed heather moorland.
Read More

Fossil Trail

Fossil Trail

Fossil Trail: 11 miles (all distances are approximate). Information provided by Durham County Council's Sustainable Travel Department with the Active Life Centre @ Coxhoe, Natural England and East Durham Leader

Read More

Woodland Fell Circular Cycle Route

Woodland Fell Circular Cycle Route

CDW 14 - On and Off Road Sections - with some challenging ups and downs over mixed terrain, includes single and double tracks, steep ascents and well matched descents. Not advised in bad weather.
Read More

Durham City - Haswell National Route 14 Cycle Route

Durham City - Haswell National Route 14 Cycle Route

Route taken from Durham County Council North Cycle Map

Read More

Durham City to Bearpark

Durham City to Bearpark

The NCN14 cycle route through Durham City joins the A690 near an impressive stone arched railway viaduct. Find Sutton Street and Redhills Lane to continue to St Monica’s Grove and the A167 Newcastle road. Turn north and take a left turn (Toll House Road) signed for Bearpark. Join the NCN14 route via Baxter Wood and the Lanchester Valley walking and cycle route.
Read More

Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route

Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route

Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop is a 17 mile intermediate cycle route, mostly off-road. It is marked on the Durham County Council South Durham Cycle Map as CDS3

Read More

The Satley Loop

The Satley Loop

The Satley Loop is a 19 mile intermediate cycle route along minor roads and country lanes with 2 crossings of the A68. It is marked on the Durham County Council North Durham Cycle Map as CDN. Route taken from Durham County Council North Cycle Map

Read More

Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route

Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route

Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route is a 25 mile challenging cycle route mostly off-road. It is marked on the Durham County Council North Durham Cycle Map as CDN5. Route taken from Durham County Council North Cycle Map.

Read More

Hamsterley Forest Cycling

Hamsterley Forest Cycling

Hamsterley Forest is a 5,000 acre mixed woodland, open to the public all year. It is a magnet for mountain bikers from all over the North of England, attracted by a wide range of cycling experiences, from the training loop and top quality off-road cycle trails, to the high octane four-cross and downhill mountain bike courses provided by Descend Hamsterley

Read More