Hurworth Burn to Station Town Railway Path Walking/Cycling Route

About

This is a Railway Path, is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified, and a Local Wildlife Site intersects the Path next to the reservoir. Habitats include grassland, scrubland, woodland, wetland and reed beds. The path is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and wheelchair users.

This former railway line opened in 1877,with its station opening three years later. The goods trains running along this line mainly carried hay. The remains of the platform are still at Hurworth Burn slightly camouflaged by trees and scrub. The route closed to passengers in 1931 and then to goods after a further twenty years. This Railway Path has since become a bird watchers delight. Its close proximity to the reservoir and its passageway lined by trees and scrub offer a variety of habitats which are very welcoming to native and migrant birds. A bird feeding station has been installed on the platform. Some of the seats have willow screens in front of them so you can watch the birds.

For those who simply want an easy walk or cycle, there are fabulous panoramic views of the Hurworth Burn reservoir and surrounding countryside. At its southern end the Railway Path joins the Castle Eden Walkway, where it continues to Thorpe Thewles. The Wynyard Woodland Park is just next to the track. Here you will find plenty of walk routes, picnic areas, sculptures and more wildlife to enjoy. This park is managed by Stockton Council. The Railway Path forms part of National Cycle Network Route 1.

This linear walk climbs gently from Hurworth Burn to Station Town. It is generally flat along its entire length but there are occasional steep gradients which are marked on the map.

Route supplied by Durham County Council’s Countryside Service.