Sunderland to Hartlepool – lost railway ride.
Join Lisa and I for a feel-good ride from Sunderland to Hartlepool, following the old railway route that winds through some of the North East’s most relaxed, scenic paths. This ride is all about enjoying the miles — no rush, no pressure — just the simple pleasure of being out on the bike together.
We roll out of Sunderland and slip quickly into quieter ground: shaded green corridors, wide open stretches of countryside, and those peaceful old railway embankments that feel like stepping back in time. The trail has a rhythm of its own — smooth, steady, and perfect for losing yourself in the moment.
As the journey unfolds, the scenery shifts around us: pockets of woodland, long straight sections where the old line once ran, and finally the first hints of coastal air as we get closer to Hartlepool. It’s one of those routes where the landscape seems to breathe with you, opening up just when you need it to.
If you’re into chilled bike rides, forgotten railway routes, or just watching the world roll by from the saddle, this video is all about soaking up that energy. Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Good vibes, steady miles, and a proper North East journey. Let’s go.
Route:
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2671365294?share_token=a0XRWdgmEyqp4bu8IC2bTpCKsYTfVUetDcWQYQ9xiTNjSJMxjv&ref=wtd
komoot: https://www.komoot.com/user/1681213145680
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1057497
https://www.instagram.com/bike_ventures_uk/
Equipment I use:
DJI Action Cam 4
Hollyland Lark Microphones
DJI Neo 2 Drone
Bike
Planet X Tempest V4 Titanium.
Hunt all road wheels with SON Dynamo front hub
23 Comments
A very belated many happy returns Lisa. Was it just chips for your birthday, or did Rob push the boat out and buy you fish as well ?
Just stumbled across your channel and enjoyed watching this video. I’ve cycled most of it on a number of occasions, usually when visiting Seaham. The last time being when we rode from Middlesbrough to North Shields to board the ferry to the Netherlands for a week’s touring, then followed the track back to Middlesbrough. Subscribed so I can follow your adventures 👍
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Nice rde, nice to see the boss riding with you again!
Hope you had a good Christmas and a happy new year to you both. Looking forward to seeing more ride in 2026… 🎉
Glad to find this video. My daughter lives in Blackhall Colliery now and we walked some of this on Boxing Day. I thought about cycling it but I only run on road tyres so wasn't sure but your video confirms it's possible so it'll be something for this year. Happy to Subscribe and I'll watch a few more your uploads.
Knowing the route well you 'appear' to unluckily have missed the best part. That being the ride along the Headland promenade to Heugh Battery. And once in Hartlepool past the 'historic quay' it is again a delightful ride along the long promenade to Seaton Carew. ( train back to Newcastle). A detour on the new improved gravel bit to Seaham is a must too. I slightly prefer the coast road route from Ryhope, myself feeling there is more to see. Oh, 'that weird' bit was created from the 'bog improvments'. The bit out of 'Hart' is now the only unfriendly bit left. No great surprise you encountered motor bikers. Too much the norm here.
Enjoyed your video, I was unaware (even though I live fairly locally). that there was a way to bike ( I am not a bike ) from Sunderland to Hartlepool Durham etc. Shame you did not get into the centre of Hartlepool, I think you would have enjoyed the dock area…
The best thing about riding to Hartlepool, is when you turn around and get to ride away from it again. Quickly!
Just kidding Monkey Hangers.
As they say in Sunderland.
Eeeeayah it’ll be ‘art to ‘aswell.
Great ride guys. Done this many times love it! The part you mention at 20:20 is South Hetton where I live. The old line goes over some slag heaps behind the old colliery site (where I live now) so is unrideable, hence the detour through the town. Glad you enjoyed and looking forward to more 🚴♂️😎.
Simon
That’s a lovely ride along there. The flooded sections along the path are where the original railway trackbed drainage has been blocked up. In many places it’s been done on purpose, to create some still water areas for various reeds etc to get established as they are great for pulling contamination out. Wildlife loves it too. You can tell the intentional ones as the path is raised up compared to the original trackbed. 😁👍
This link hopefully opens, the old platform at Shotton Colliery is what's left of the station which is in this link 👍 I noticed that you missed travelling through the village on the cycle track, was there any reason for this ?
Shotton Bridge railway station https://share.google/kNtGDTxIwKzJcUQqk
The wetland area is just standing water , previous to the tarmac path and railings it was like this , a little bit dodgy especially in the wet
https://share.google/aiudfw4h9gSMKzI3y 😂
I walk part of that path every day (Seaton to Ryhope) and for me, inconsiderate cyclists are the main source of worry. You were very polite and let walkers (like me) know you were there! Sadly, that is largely not the case, no warning they're coming up behind and too bloody fast is the norm.
One of my local rides if you cross that large green footbridge over the railway just before the end of the outward half you can ride the coastal path back to Seaham and make it a circular route much nicer!
Good to see people out enjoying themselves and the wife as good pace and looks comfortable on her bike Hate to see riders getting on undersized bikes and struggling 😮
The Haswell to Hart line was mainly used to transport coal from the various Coal Mines in the area
Thinking about it, #HighFell was likely right about the nature reserve aspect of the once boggy section. I faintly recall walk boards amonst the water and reeds prior to the more cycling friendly rebuild.
Why would you say it’s lost , everybody knows about it , in fact the council have just spent thousands making is better and safer than a few years back
I do that ride pretty regularly, much better in the summer 😊
ive dont partial route 1 only from boro to past stockton XD
If you look to the left at 10:34 you'll see the most famous tree on this route – the lonesome Scots Pine – it's growing on minimal soil out of the literal top of the pier of the long gone bridge/