Discover the best spots for a scenic walk along Durham’s riverside. This guide highlights top routes, detailing their unique features, distances, difficulty levels, and the sights you’ll see along the way. Perfect for both locals and visitors, this Durham Riverside walk guide offers something for everyone. Let’s get started!
Durham Riverside Walks – Quick Nav
Walks Reviewed
1. River Wear & Durham City loop
The River Wear & Durham City Loop is an excellent walk that showcases the best of Durham’s natural beauty and historic landmarks. Spanning 10 miles, this intermediate walk takes approximately 4 hours, making it ideal for a half-day outing with family. Starting at Shincliffe Bridge and looping back, the route is relatively flat with only minor elevation changes. Along the way, walkers can enjoy the serene River Wear, the historic Croxdale estate, and the picturesque Durham Cathedral from various vantage points.
This walk is perfect for those seeking a mix of urban and rural scenery. The well-maintained paths and scenic views make it stand out as one of Durham’s best. Whether you’re a local or visiting, the River Wear & Durham City Loop provides a refreshing escape into nature while remaining close to the city’s amenities.
- Distance: 10 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Start and End Points: Shincliffe Bridge
- Highlights: River Wear, Croxdale estate, Durham Cathedral
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours
2. Riverside Walk Loop from Durham
The Riverside Walk Loop from Durham is an enjoyable 6 km (4 miles) walk that takes approximately 2 hours. Starting near the Radisson Blu Hotel, this intermediate-level loop follows both sides of the River Wear, featuring mostly tarmac paths. The route includes highlights such as the modernist Kingsgate Footbridge, the historic Count’s House, and various sculptures like the Durham Cow. The walk is perfect for families and casual walkers who want a blend of urban and natural scenery without straying far from the city centre.
The path is well-maintained and provides scenic river views, with plenty of opportunities to stop at riverside pubs and cafes for refreshments. Despite occasional inland diversions, the walk always returns to the riverside, ensuring a continuous scenic experience.
- Distance: 6 km (4 miles)
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Start and End Points: Near Radisson Blu Hotel
- Highlights: Kingsgate Footbridge, Count’s House, Durham Cow
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
3. River Wear Walk – View Over the Bridge Loop from Elvet
The River Wear Walk – View Over the Bridge Loop from Elvet is an exceptional route combining Durham’s rich history and natural beauty. This 6.3-mile loop, taking approximately 2 hours, starts at Elvet Bridge and follows a predominantly flat path with minimal elevation changes. The walk offers stunning views of the iconic Durham Cathedral, the historic Prebends Bridge, and the tranquil River Wear. The well-maintained route features a mix of tarmac and cobbled streets, ensuring a smooth and accessible experience.
As we proceed along the river, the serene surroundings and lush greenery provide a refreshing escape from the city. The path’s accessibility and scenic highlights, such as the breathtaking views from Prebends Bridge and the picturesque riverbanks, make it one of the best walks in Durham. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this route offers a delightful way to explore Durham’s historical and natural landmarks.
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Start and End Points: Elvet Bridge
- Highlights: Durham Cathedral, Prebends Bridge, River Wear
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
4. River Wear Walk Loop from Crossgate
The River Wear Walk Loop from Crossgate is a scenic 3.2 km (2 miles) walk that takes around one hour to complete and is one of our favourite Durham Riverside walks. Starting near Crossgate, the path is mostly flat and well-maintained. As you walk alongside the River Wear, the lush scenery of Pelaw Wood enhances the experience, providing a tranquil setting close to the city centre. The route is easy, with minimal elevation changes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable outing.
This walk addresses common pain points such as rough terrain and accessibility by offering an easy path to navigate. Highlights include the picturesque views of the river and the peaceful woodland surroundings. The trail is enchanting in autumn when the leaves become a tapestry of golds, oranges, and reds. Additionally, the area is rich in wildlife, with sightings of kingfishers and herons adding to the charm of the walk. This walk is perfect for those looking for a quick and accessible escape into nature without venturing far from Durham’s amenities.
- Distance: 3.2 km (2 miles)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start and End Points: Near Crossgate
- Highlights: River Wear, Pelaw Wood
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
5. Belmont Railway Viaduct Loop from Belmont
The Belmont Railway Viaduct Loop from Belmont blends historical intrigue with natural beauty. This 4.5-mile circular walk, starting near Sainsbury’s on Gilesgate, offers an easy-to-moderate route with about 383 feet of ascent and descent. The path is mostly flat and well-maintained, making it highly accessible. Key highlights include the impressive Belmont Viaduct, standing 130 feet high and nearly 700 feet long, and the scenic views of the River Wear.
This walk is perfect for families looking for a leisurely outing near Durham City. The trail passes through lush woodlands and open fields, providing a serene environment for a relaxing walk. The route’s historical elements, such as the disused viaduct, add a unique charm to the experience. The path is well-signed, but using a digital map like HiiKER can be helpful to ensure you stay on track.
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Start and End Points: Near Sainsbury’s on Gilesgate
- Highlights: Belmont Viaduct, River Wear
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
6. View Over the Bridge Loop from Newton Hall
The River Wear Walk – View Over the Bridge loop from Newton Hall is an excellent route in Durham. This 5-mile loop takes about 2.5 hours, making it perfect for a half-day outing. Starting at Newton Hall, the path is mostly flat with minimal elevation changes, ensuring a smooth experience for those with prams. As you navigate the River Wear, the walk offers picturesque views of the river, lush woodlands, and historic landmarks such as Framwellgate Bridge.
The scenic highlights, including the serene river views and diverse birdlife, offer a refreshing escape into nature without straying far from Durham’s cityscape. The combination of natural beauty and historical interest makes this walk stand out as one of the best walks in the area, providing a calming and stress-free experience.
- Distance: 5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start and End Points: Newton Hall
- Highlights: River Wear, Framwellgate Bridge, woodlands
- Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
7. Durham Cathedral Loop from Belmont
The Durham Cathedral Loop from Belmont combines history and nature. This 8.8-mile loop starts at Belmont and takes around 4 hours to complete. Highlights include stunning views of Durham Cathedral, the historic Prebends Bridge, and the ancient woodlands along the River Wear. The mix of tarmac and natural trails ensures a smooth experience, addressing common pain points for families with young children. The route is well-signposted, with plenty of seating areas for rest stops.
- Distance: 8.8 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Start and End Points: Belmont
- Highlights: Durham Cathedral, Prebends Bridge, River Wear, ancient woodlands
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours
8. River Wear Walk Loop from Merryoaks
The River Wear Walk Loop from Merryoaks is a 4-mile loop, which takes about 2 hours to complete. It begins at Merryoaks and follows well-maintained, flat paths along the River Wear. The route offers picturesque views of the river and passes through lush woodlands, providing a refreshing escape into nature. Key highlights include historic bridges and peaceful riverbanks, making this walk visually appealing and relaxing.
- Distance: 4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start and End Points: Merryoaks
- Highlights: River Wear, historic bridges, woodlands
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
9. Tower Sculpture Loop from Durham
The Tower Sculpture Loop from Durham combines cultural highlights with natural beauty. This 3.7-mile loop, starting near the city centre, takes about 2 hours to complete. The well-maintained, flat paths make it easy to navigate with a pram, ensuring a hassle-free experience for families. As we walk along the River Wear, we encounter a variety of public artworks, including the notable Durham Cow, which adds an element of cultural interest and educational value to the walk.
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start and End Points: Durham city centre
- Highlights: Public artworks, Durham Cow, River Wear
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
10. Riverside Sculpture Garden Loop from Great Lumley
The Riverside Sculpture Garden Loop from Great Lumley is a 3.7-mile loop, taking about 2 hours to complete, and offers flat and well-maintained paths. Starting near Great Lumley, the route features various sculptures that add a creative touch to the scenic river views and lush greenery. Walking along the River Wear, you enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the natural surroundings, complemented by the artistic installations along the way.
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Start and End Points: Great Lumley
- Highlights: Public sculptures, River Wear, lush greenery
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Durham Riverside Walk – FAQ
Durham offers numerous scenic walks, including the Durham Riverside Walk, the Tower Sculpture Loop, and the Riverside Sculpture Garden Loop from Great Lumley. Each route combines natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making them ideal for strolls and family outings.
The Durham Riverside Walk is approximately 3 miles long, taking 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. The route features picturesque views of the River Wear, historic landmarks, and well-maintained paths, suitable for all ages.
Yes, Durham is highly walkable, with its compact city centre and numerous well-signposted walking routes. The city’s scenic paths and pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to explore on foot, whether you’re visiting cultural sites or enjoying natural landscapes.
Riverside Walk refers to the scenic walking paths along the River Wear in Durham. These routes often feature stunning views of the river, historical landmarks, and public artworks, providing a delightful experience for walkers of all ages.
The River Wear flows for approximately 60 miles from the Pennines to the North Sea. In Durham, the river meanders around the historic city, offering beautiful riverside walks and scenic views.
Riverside is best known for its picturesque walking paths along the River Wear, featuring stunning views, historical landmarks, and public sculptures. These routes provide a serene escape into nature while being close to Durham’s city centre.