Horden Coastal Path and Dene Walk
County Durham
Horden is one of the Durham Heritage Coast's quiet jewels, a transformed colliery coastline of magnesian limestone cliffs and ancient denes that is now a nationally important nature reserve. This walk pairs the cliff top England Coast Path with a drop into one of Horden's wooded denes, giving you sea views over Blackhall and Easington and the hush of an oak, ash and yew ravine in a single outing. It is a satisfying dog friendly circuit for coastal lovers who want more than a beach.
Keep dogs on the lead on the cliff edges and near the railway line, and close control in the dene where deer and ground nesting birds share the woodland. There is no regular livestock on the reserve itself but the grasslands above can have grazing at times. The cliff path is grass and compacted stone, the dene underfoot is softer earth and stepped sections with a short climb back out, and Horden Beach car park sits at the sea end with toilets and a cafe in summer.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Seasonal cafe and toilets at Horden Beach car park; Peterlee town centre a short drive for year round amenities.
- Parking
- Free car park at Horden Beach off Sunderland Road, plus smaller laybys along the cliff road.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horden Coastal Path and Dene Walk dog friendly?
Yes, Horden Coastal Path and Dene Walk is a well-suited outing for dogs, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The route combines a cliff top path along the Durham Heritage Coast with a drop into a wooded dene, giving your dog a varied and stimulating walk with sea air and woodland scents in one circuit.
Can dogs be off lead at Horden Coastal Path and Dene Walk?
There are sections where off-lead time is possible, but leads are essential in certain areas. Dogs should be kept on the lead along the cliff edges and near the railway line, and kept under close control in the dene, where deer and ground nesting birds are present. The grasslands above can also have grazing at times, so it's worth checking conditions on the day.
What should I know before visiting Horden Coastal Path and Dene Walk with my dog?
The terrain varies across the walk — the cliff path is grass and compacted stone, while the dene involves softer earth, stepped sections, and a short climb back out, so it's worth having sure-footed dogs in mind. There is a free car park at Horden Beach off Sunderland Road, and a seasonal cafe and toilets are available there in summer. For year-round amenities, Peterlee town centre is a short drive away.
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