Hawthorn Dene circular walk
North East
Explore coastal paths, beaches, woodland and wildflower meadows on this challenging 5-mile circular walking trail along the Durham Coast. Enjoy dramatic views of Blast Beach, search for seaside creatures in rockpools and listen to birdsong in Hawthorn Dene.
Trail information
Total stages: 14
Total stages: 14
Start point
Nose's Point car park, Seaham.
Stage 1
From the car park head south and turn left down the track, with the sea on your left. Continue across a small metal bridge and along the footpath until you come to a metal kissing gate next to the National Trust sign for Blast Beach. Continue through the gate and follow the footpath south along the coast.
Blast Beach sign at Durham Coast, County Durham | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman Stage 2
A short way along the path you will come to a crossroads in the path and some Durham Heritage Coast posts. Follow the narrow grassy path left to join the clifftop coastal path. Turn right and continue to keep the sea on your left. Look behind you for a view of Nose’s Point and Blast Beach.
View across Blast Beach, Durham Coast, County Durham | © National Trust/Annie Parsons Stage 3
When the path swings back around to the right, turn left at the posts, past the steps down to Blast Beach. Follow the path along the left side of the field edge, closest to the sea. The path will come back round again to the right and pass a railway crossing.
Northern Brown Argus butterfly on the Durham Coast | © National Trust Images/Matthew Oates Stage 4
Keep left and follow the steps down to Hawthorn Hive Beach. Take care as the steps are very steep.
Walkers on the clifftop path at Durham Coast, County Durham | © National Trust Images/John Millar Stage 5
Head south along the beach and turn right at the path leading under the viaduct. Follow the track into Hawthorn Dene.
View of Hawthorn viaduct from Hawthorn Hive beach, Durham Coast | © National Trust/Annie Parsons Stage 6
When you reach a set of steps, turn right to take the steps down the hill and cross the green metal bridge over the stream. Continue up the steps on the other side of the bank and out into Hawthorn meadows.
Stage 7
Where grassy paths through the meadows cross, turn left to enter a wooded area.
Stage 8
Continue straight along the track, going further into the Dene.
Roe deer in a wildflower meadow | © National Trust Images/John Hubble Stage 9
After going past several fields, the footpath curves around to the right. Follow the path all the way up to the road and the gated entrance to Hawthorn Dene.
Stage 10
When you reach the entrance to Hawthorn Dene, turn sharply right to head down the other track into the Dene, following finger posts to Hawthorne Dene and Coastal Footpath. Continue down the track through the trees.
Stage 11
At the fork in the path, ignore the steps heading left and bear right to follow the track.
Stage 12
Continue until you arrive back at Hawthorn Meadows. At the opening, turn left towards the metal farm gate.
Walkers in Hawthorn Dene, County Durham | © National Trust Images/John Millar Stage 13
After a short upwards incline, bear right towards a brick railway bridge. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left back onto the coastal footpath, with the railway track on your left and the sea on your right.
Stage 14
After the next short incline in the path, turn left at the fork. Follow this footpath up and around the edge of the field, going through the metal kissing gate. Continue to follow this path all the way back to Nose’s Point car park.
End point
Nose's Point car park, Seaham.
Trail map
Map of Hawthorn Dene walk route | © Crown Copyright and database right 2024 Ordnance Survey AC0000825588
Get in touch
Nose's Point Car Park, East Cliff Road, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7PS
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