Section 2 of 4, Way of Learning
Whitburn to Hastings Hill
10 miles (16.1 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: NZ 403 623. Finish: NZ 345 553. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. The Northern Saints page says the riverside path in Sunderland near Wearmouth Bridge is closed for a couple of years while a new footbridge is built; a high route is signed via Stadium Park. Source: thisisdurham.com.
Up and down
About 188 m of climbing and 136 m of descent; highest point 91 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Whitburn.
- Bus stops
- LIZARD LANE-HIGHCROFT DRIVE, 170 m from the start. Directions NZ 405 623Lizard Lane, 190 m from the start. Directions NZ 405 622
- Car parks
- Car park, 560 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 619Car park (free), 580 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 619Car park, 700 m from the start. Directions NZ 409 620
Getting back
The section finishes at Hastings Hill. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Chester Road-Foxcover Road, 260 m from the finish. Directions NZ 345 550Chester Road-Foxcover Road, 340 m from the finish. Directions NZ 345 550PENNYWELL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE- N/B, 620 m from the finish. Directions NZ 351 554
Planning the Way of Learning
- Planning the whole trail: thisisdurham.com.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Northern Saints Trails Visitor Guide (Visit County Durham).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 77%, gravel and tracks 6%; the rest (17%) isn't recorded.
About 14% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 3 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 49 m in a kilometre (1 in 20), starting 9.5 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.