Cleveland Way National Trail

A favourite for over 35 years, the Cleveland Way offers a superb opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. The first half of the route passes through classic moorland, forest and upland scenery, giving you panoramic views over the Cleveland Hills and the rest of the North York Moors National Park. Once you reach Saltburn, the second half follows the dramatic coastline and runs along the top of some of the highest sea cliffs in the country. The peace and quiet of the moors followed by a thrilling sea breeze in your hair. What could be better than that?

St. Cuthbert's Way

Opened in 1996, this award-winning route begins in the Scottish Border town of Melrose, where St Cuthbert started his ministry in 650 AD, striking out through the Cheviots and wild Border Reiver country to Holy Island (Lindisfarne), where he died. Among the many highlights are the beautiful Newtown St Boswells to Maxton stretch along the banks of the River Tweed; the Border crossing at Eccles Cairn and superb views from the Cheviots back towards Scotland and ahead into the Northumberland valleys. Also of historic interest is St Cuthbert's Cave, where the monks rested with St Cuthbert's body in 875 AD, when Viking invaders forced them to flee.

Teesdale Way

The Tees is as much a North East England treasure as the Lindisfarne Gospels or Durham Cathedral, and this delightful walk follows its mighty meanderings from its source on the Cumbrian Fells to the sea. The landscape is spectacular, from whinstone cliffs and heather moors to traditional Dales towns. There's a glorious pastoral heartland of steep wooded valleys and abbey ruins, castles and hamlets, farms and fields, before the river finally reaches the sea against the proud industrial backdrop of Middlesbrough. Interesting features along the way include High Force - England's largest waterfall - the Fairy Cupboard miniature caves and the historic towns of Barnard Castle, Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees.

Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail

How many walks offer an unbroken trail from coast to coast with almost all of it in a World Heritage Site? This route passes through some of the most beautiful parts of England, from rolling fields and rugged moorland to the vibrant cities of NewcastleGateshead and Carlisle. In 122 AD the wall marked the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire and there is a breathtaking panorama along much of the route. The Trail, with links to 43 other short walks, is ideal for day visits, short breaks or a week-long holiday.

Weardale Way

One of North East England's best kept secrets, the first few miles of this trail give an insight into the area's world-famous industrial heritage until, before long, the route is magically transformed into a breathtaking riverside stroll. It is literally a walk through history, taking in the magnificent Lumley Castle, Finchale Priory and what Bill Bryson termed 'The best cathedral on Planet Earth' at Durham as well as Binchester Roman Fort, the amazing tiny Saxon Church at Escomb and one of the few working Dales still in existence: Weardale.

Pennine Way National Trail

Britain's first National Trail celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The Way chases the Pennine Hills along the backbone of England from the Scottish Borders, over Hadrian's Wall and through three National Parks to Derbyshire, along old miners' tracks, packhorse trails and drove roads. Equally rewarding as a continuous walk over a couple of weeks or a series of weekends or day-trips, it offers some of the finest landscape features in upland Britain, including the 21-metre cascade of High Force and High Cup Nick, a deep-sided gorge in the Whinstone Cliffs, hemmed in by dramatic screes and imposing columns of dolerite rock.

Northumberland Coastal Path

The Northumberland Coast AONB offers some of the finest coastal walking in the country. From sandy beaches to rocky outcrops, interspersed with dramatic castles and quaint coastal villages, it is a constantly changing landscape. The recently opened Northumberland Coast Path, part of the North Sea Trail, is a 103 kilometre (64 mile) continuous coastal walking route between Cresswell in the south and Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. The trail passes through the coastal villages of Alnmouth, Boulmer and Craster and skirts ancient castles at Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh.

St Oswald's Way

From Holy Island in the north, St Oswald's Way follows the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland across beautiful countryside to Heavenfield and Hadrian's Wall in the south. The route links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early 7th Century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people. You will find castles, coastline, islands, scenic river valleys, hills, attractive villages, forest and farmland on your walk.