River Wear & Durham City loop
River Wear & Durham City loop
4.8
(24)
99
hikers
River Wear & Durham City loop
04:24
16.3km
220m
Hiking
The River Wear & Durham City loop offers a captivating hiking experience, blending natural riverside beauty with the rich history of Durham. This moderate 10.1-mile (16.3 km) route takes about 4 hours and 23 minutes to complete, featuring a varied terrain of unpaved paths, gravel, and city streets. You will enjoy attractive riverside and woodland views, with sections featuring ancient trees and open fields, all while gaining around 709 feet (216 metres) in elevation.
As you hike, you will encounter a mix of surfaces, including some sections that can become quite muddy, especially after rain, so appropriate footwear is recommended. The trail is easily accessible from the city center, and the presence of numerous cafes and pubs in Durham City provides opportunities for refreshments along the way. This makes it a convenient option for a day out, combining outdoor activity with urban amenities.
A major highlight of the River Wear & Durham City loop is the constant, dramatic views of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rising majestically above the wooded cliffs. The trail also passes other historic sites like Maiden Castle, an ancient Iron Age hill fort, and various historic bridges. This unique combination of serene riverbanks, tranquil woodlands, and a bustling historic city center truly allows you to step through different worlds in just a few miles.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
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2.40 km
Maiden Castle Footbridge Over the River Wear
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
7.62 km
Croxdale Hall and Chapel
Highlight • Religious Site
Tip by
15.1 km
Durham Castle
Highlight • Castle
Tip by
15.2 km
Durham Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Highlight • Religious Site
It was constructed in the Romanesque style between 1093 and 1133 as a monastic cathedral and was home to the shrine of St Cuthbert. It was hugely influential in architectural terms. At the time of its construction, its large scale, stone vaulted ceiling was an impressive and pioneering feat, forming the blueprint for European architecture from that point onwards.
Today, as well as being regarded as one of the world's greatest cathedrals, it is still a functioning establishment, welcoming thousands of services every year. Along with its neighbouring castle, it attracts scores of visitors to the city.
Tip by
16.3 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
7.54 km
3.73 km
2.64 km
1.12 km
1.09 km
193 m
Surfaces
4.68 km
3.80 km
2.62 km
2.40 km
2.03 km
773 m
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Elevation
Highest point (100 m)
Lowest point (30 m)
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Weather
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Wednesday 6 May
13°C
1°C
17 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.