Wonderful scenic walks for 2023 in Tees Valley

Parks galore

The Tees Valley has more than its fair share of elegantly landscaped Victorian parks to discover. From Albert Park in Middlesbrough, whose more than 100 acres is bursting with refurbished facilities and play areas, to the listed Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool, complete with magnificent lake, flower gardens, fountains and putting green.

In Darlington, the splendid South Park sits beside the river Skerne and runs a wide programme of live outdoor concerts and performances, plus it contains an exciting adventure park and even an aviary where you can meet plenty of parrots and parakeets

Get lost in the forest

Sometimes you might want to walk a little more on the wild side. Luckily, there are plenty of inspiring forest and woodland strolls to choose from across the region.

Get your hiking boots on and ramble through the stunning Guisborough Forest, the gateway to the North York Moors National Park. Gorgeous views, orienteering trails and picnic areas make this the perfect spot for a sunny day out.

Or how does an old railway trail sound? Wynyard Woodland Park has over ten miles of pathways to explore in a beautiful ancient woodland setting, plus there’s a former train station, adventure park and tea room to explore.

If a secluded, wildlife-rich woodland valley complete with flowing river sounds like your thing, then try Saltburn Gill, which offers a winding path up the whole length of the valley and the chance to spot something new with every passing season. Find out more here.

Coastal delights

With dramatic clifftops and sweeping esplanades, plus your pick of chip shops and ice cream parlours, a walk by the North Sea coast is sure to clear away those cobwebs and treat you to some of the best views in the whole region.

Forming part of the Cleveland Way, the walking route along Saltburn Cliffs offers truly breath-taking views across Saltburn’s beach and pier, and all the way across the rolling countryside to the Cleveland Hills and the distinctive summit of Roseberry Topping.

Or take yourself on a short circular walk around Harltlepool’s historic Headland, discovering Fish Sands beach and the Heugh Battery, and learning about the origins of Hartlepool at the beautiful medieval St Hilda’s Church. Find out more about the walk here.

Follow the trail…

If you’d like to learn and discover as you walk, the Tees Valley offers a variety of guided walking trails filled with unique places to explore and fascinating things to learn.

If you’re interested in history, why not try the Piercebridge Circular, a short walk exploring the fascinating Roman history at the ancient Tees crossing and Roman Fort in the pretty village of Piercebridge.

How about walking in the footsteps of St Hild herself? The Way of St Hild is a pilgrimage trail celebrating the importance of the famous saint to both Hartlepool and Whitby. The walking trail even offers a variety of augmented reality waypoints where you can find information about the history of the route.

The Tees Sculpture Trail is another unique walk to follow. Featuring a series of 25 specially created interpretive artworks created by five contemporary artists, a variety of sculptures representing our region are just waiting to be discovered along the way. Check out the full guide to the trail here.