Distance 26 miles (40km)
Classification Moderate
Start Knitsley Lane, Consett, DH8
Finish Pier View, Sunderland, SR6
Duration 4 hours
Route NCN route 7
Map C2C, Cycling in the North of England, OS Landranger 88
Route notes
Most find it easier to ride this route with the prevailing wind, west to east (it's downhill too). It can easily be broken up into shorter sections: Consett to Beamish (10.5 miles), Beamish to Washington (7.5 mileΩs), or Washington to Sunderland (8 miles). It's at the end of the C2C coast to coast route, but this is one of the gentler sections.
Terrain and gradients
Mostly cinder track, smooth, and quite flat – another disused railway path.
How to get there/away
There are railway stations at Chester-le-Street and Sunderland, but rather few on the route.
What to see
The sculptures on this route include works by internationally renowned artists. Highlights include Terris Novalis by Tony Cragg – a 6m-high theodolite and engineer's level at 20 times full size. Wrought in stainless steel, it acknowledges the former importance of the metal to the town of Consett. The artist Andy Goldsworthy's landscape sculpture Jolly Drovers' Maze mimics the vast labyrinth of underground roadways that served the Durham coalfield.
Watering holes
A large selection at either end. Try The Jolly Drover at Leadgate, the Shepherd & Shepherdess (shepherdbeamish.co.uk) in Beamish, or the Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre which has a pleasant cafe.
