Hartlepool to Horden
13th August 2023 | Miles 12.3 | Elevation gain 658ft
A 12.3 mile walk, initially around Hartlepool Marina, then around a mile and a half on the main road next to Victoria Harbour, to reach The Headland, with views out over Hartlepool Bay. Once round The Headland, we had a long stretch of around three miles on the fabulous beach, as far as Crimdon, where the path ascends to the cliff tops. We had to round or cross some gills (steep wooded valleys) to reach Horden
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Getting there and back
We walked from our accommodation in Hartlepool Marina, and caught the train back from Horden - the path looks close to the station here, but it is necessary to walk quite a long way round the road to access the station.
Weather conditions
Initially overcast, but the sun came out making it a great day for walking on the beach!
Walking difficulty
Moderate - easy to start, but the final six miles are up and down steep sided valleys and it's all a bit overgrown and was tough to follow the path at times
The story of our day in photos
.jpg "Starting the day with a walk through the marina - these sailing boats were waiting at the lock to head out to the bay for some racing")
Starting the day with a walk through the marina - these sailing boats were waiting at the lock to head out to the bay for some racing
.jpg "More road on the A1048 around to the far side of Victoria Harbour")
More road on the A1048 around to the far side of Victoria Harbour
.jpg "Approaching The Headland - everything now quieter and more sedate")
Approaching The Headland - everything now quieter and more sedate
.jpg "The Heugh Light, marking The Headland")
The Heugh Light, marking The Headland
.jpg "Walking round the point and now starting to head west")
Walking round the point and now starting to head west
.jpg "Now we're talking! The wonderful North Sands")
Now we're talking! The wonderful North Sands
.jpg "A much better and drier lunch spot than yesterday - not a pylon in sight")
A much better and drier lunch spot than yesterday - not a pylon in sight
.jpg "Even time for a snooze in the dunes")
Even time for a snooze in the dunes
.jpg "And now the upping and downing starts - crossing Crimdon Dene - 'dene' = a deep narrow wooded valley of a small river")
And now the upping and downing starts - crossing Crimdon Dene - 'dene' = a deep narrow wooded valley of a small river
.jpg "This picture appears to have us headed in the wrong direction, but we're not - the path doubles back on itself briefly after walking round another little dene")
This picture appears to have us headed in the wrong direction, but we're not - the path doubles back on itself briefly after walking round another little dene
.jpg "Looking north west up the coast across to Seaham in the far distance")
Looking north west up the coast across to Seaham in the far distance
.jpg "More views north towards Seaham")
More views north towards Seaham
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.jpg "A viaduct just outside Horden")
A viaduct just outside Horden
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.jpg "Back at Hartlepool - sunset across the Marina")
Back at Hartlepool - sunset across the Marina
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