Connect Chester-le-Street with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Chester-le-Street to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Chester-le-Street
Durham
Slow Ways linking Chester-le-Street and Durham, Houghton-le-Spring, Kibblesworth, Sacriston, Stanley, Washington, West Rainton
England / Durham / Chester-le-Street
Chester-le-Street’s seven Slow Ways are 64% checked
Help connect Chester-le-Street
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Chester-le-Street’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Chester-le-Street from further afield
| Route | Slow Way | Distance | To do | Pledge | Ascent | Descent | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chehou one |
Chester-le-Street—Houghton-le-Spring
|
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Distance 12km/8mi |
|
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Double check | U U | Ascent 92m | Descent 123m | |
| Cheswes one |
Chester-le-Street—West Rainton
|
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Distance 8km/5mi |
|
|
Double check | U U | Ascent 65m | Descent 118m | |
| Cheswes two |
Chester-le-Street—West Rainton
|
|
Distance 11km/7mi |
|
|
Review me | U U | Ascent 104m | Descent 160m | |
| Chewas one |
Chester-le-Street—Washington
|
Distance 8km/5mi |
|
|
Review me | 4 X | Ascent 89m | Descent 117m | ||
| Chewas two |
Chester-le-Street—Washington
|
Distance 9km/5mi |
|
|
Survey me | U U | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
| Durche one |
Durham—Chester-le-Street
|
Distance 12km/8mi |
|
|
Survey me | U U | Ascent 168m | Descent 146m | ||
| Durche two |
Durham—Chester-le-Street
|
|
Distance 10km/6mi |
|
|
Double check | U U | Ascent 165m | Descent 142m | |
| Kibche one |
Kibblesworth—Chester-le-Street
|
Distance 9km/5mi |
|
|
Survey me | U U | Ascent 75m | Descent 94m | ||
| Sacche one |
Sacriston—Chester-le-Street
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Distance 7km/4mi |
|
|
Survey me | U U | Ascent 174m | Descent 66m | ||
| Stache one |
Stanley—Chester-le-Street
|
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Distance 11km/7mi |
|
|
Double check | U U | Ascent 268m | Descent 81m | |
| Stache two |
Stanley—Chester-le-Street
|
Distance 11km/7mi |
|
|
Review me | U U | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Chester-le-Street and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
61% of Chester-le-Street’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
11/11
11/11
1/11
4/11
15 people have contributed to Chester-le-Street’s Slow Ways
12 people have pledged to walk and review a route
1 people have surveyed a route in Chester-le-Street
108km out of 108km have been walked and reviewed
233km of reviews have been shared in Chester-le-Street
Latest Updates
The actual path is on the right going through the field....
James Lessels
You need to turn right up the track to Lumley Castle after crossing the Wear to join the footpath. Plenty of refreshments at Chester-le-Street also at West Rainton....
James Lessels
When I reached Lumley Bridge, I scrambled up the bank to get to the road but I think you probably should carry on under the bridge and then turn right, double back, past the golf club house and join the road that way....
James Lessels
The section through Rainton Meadows is lovely, as is the section down from Lumley to the river, but the route also includes a number of unmarked field paths and a fast unprotected county road. As you go thought the Dairy Lane Estate you need to follow the path south of Finchale close as the market route would take you through some gardens....
Yankeepapa13
I also followed the parrallel woodland paths because the section on the road felt quite dangerous. FYI there were quite a few access controls so it's not a very accessible route....
Lucy S
Leaving Great Lumley we enjoyed views across to Sacriston Wood to the west and Team Valley and Chester-le-Street to the north. Having crossed the River Wear the route took us through the attractive and popular Riverside Park, with iconic landmarks old and not-so-old on either side, namely Lumley Castle and the Seat Unique Riverside international cricket venue. However one problematical point is the approach (along the riverbank) to the B1284 road bridge over the River Wear at Grid Ref NZ 285508. Had we needed to use public transport to get back to West Rainton from Chester-le-Street we would have had to travel by bus (or train) to Durham City, and then take a bus from Durham City to West Rainton. For reference, in terms of facilities at the start and finish of the route there are convenience stores in West Rainton, while in Chester-le-Street there is a wider range of shops, pubs, cafes and recreational facilities....
Richard Hockin
I walked this route on Friday 27th September from Chester-Le-Street to Sacriston. I enjoyed the variety of terrain on this route....
Philip Le Marquand
Slow Ways – West Rainton to Chester-le-Street. Most of the route is on firm footpaths, but there is a short section on a pavement along the A1052 at Woodstone, before the Slow Way continues on footpaths for the second half of the walk in the wooded valley of the Lumley Park Burn. The terrain is flat or gently undulating, except for a steep section with a flight of steps close to the A1(M) bridge over the Lumley Park Burn at Grid Ref NZ 299509. The route passes sites of significant conservation and historic interest; the Wear Rivers Trust, Bournmoor Conservation Group and partner organisations have completed numerous tasks to improve wildlife habitats along the Lumley Park Burn, and their work is evident as you walk along the route. In terms of facilities there are convenience stores in West Rainton and halfway along the route in nearby Fence Houses, while in Chester-le-Street there is a wider range of shops, pubs, cafes and recreational facilities....
Richard Hockin
The road sections generally felt safe as there was either paths or safe verges....
Andy Redfern
Because the path is tarmac and navigation obvious it was good to spend time noticing the plants and birds....
Philip Le Marquand
I walked this route a number of years ago and the upgrades to it through the park in Washington have vastly improved it. It's a very pleasant and easy to follow walk, mostly along the coast to coast cycle path. I took my push scooter with me and it worked really well along this route....
Emzor
The vast majority of the route is off-road and on cycle paths, including the C2C route....
danravenellison
danravenellison added Chewas two, a new walk from Chester-le-Street to Washington
Walk this routeIt showcases railway heritage, passes through the tunnels at Beamish and takes in some artwork - Shorthorn Cow sculptures at Beamish (Sally Matthews) and King Coal at Pelton (David Kemp). It also passes through Pelton (where there are amenities). All good surfaces with easy access....
Sarah Donnelly
Dan B - Slow Ways added Stache two, a new walk from Stanley to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeThe last part north is on a road with no pavement but there is a convenient path running parallel to the east which is notable for many clumps of electric cables growing in the bushes......
Andrew Davies
Note that at present you cannot descend from the bridge to the riverside in Durham because of a monstrous construction project - I had to use Sidegate....
Andrew Davies
Alternative route to avoid walking alongside roads and through poorly marked public footpaths I would suggest starting the route out of Stanley by joining the C2C track behind Iceland....
Sarah Donnelly
The landmarks of the route make the time fly by, from historic Durham to Frankland Prison, Finchale Priory and Lumley Castle with views into the cricket stadium and the beautiful river Wear. Either side of Finchale Priory the route is briefly (very) steep, apart from that the ground is good and the limited roadwalking is on quiet roads....
Henry Miller
Starting in Chester le Street its a short walk out of town through the riverside park then over the bridge and along the river....
Philip Le Marquand
The route as given includes a section of road walking which I would consider as dangerous but there is some adjacent woodland paths which I used....
Philip Le Marquand
Best walking route connecting Durham and Chester-Le-Street. The highlight along the way is the English Heritage site Finchale Priory. Also walking along the walls of Frankland Prison is quite interesting....
Fabian Koenig
Even if it's the shortest route it's quite dangerous for long stretches along Holmhill Lane and Chester Low Road....
Fabian Koenig
A couple of steeper sections and some steps....
daytripper
Then turned right to follow CtoC and on good tree-lined tarmac cycle route....
Diana Clark
Sections of the route are dangerous - narrow roads with fast moving traffic and no room for pedestrians....
Claire Ingram
Slow Ways added Chehou one, a new walk from Chester-le-Street to Houghton-le-Spring
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Cheswes one, a new walk from Chester-le-Street to West Rainton
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Cheswes two, a new walk from Chester-le-Street to West Rainton
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Chewas one, a new walk from Chester-le-Street to Washington
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Durche one, a new walk from Durham to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Durche two, a new walk from Durham to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Kibche one, a new walk from Kibblesworth to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Sacche one, a new walk from Sacriston to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Stache one, a new walk from Stanley to Chester-le-Street
Walk this routeChester-le-Street’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
NZ2717151246
Lat / Lon
54.85529° / -1.57830°
Easting / Northing
427,172E / 551,246N
what3words
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Chester-le-Street's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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