Outdoor and Active in Durham

If you want to get active in the great outdoors - make Durham your destination.

Whether you're a walker, cyclist, adrenalin junky, or simply want a breath of fresh air - Durham has it all. Heralded for its superb natural landscape, breathtaking scenery and miles of coastline, it's no wonder Durham is so popular with visitors who enjoy getting outdoors and active.

For those who like to explore on foot, follow one of Durham's many walking routes to encounter breathtaking scenery - including the Durham Dales, North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty and Durham's Heritage Coast.

If you prefer two wheels to two feet, enjoy stunning scenery as you explore quiet country roads and coastal paths. Challenge yourself on routes including the C2C (coast to coast), W2W (Walney to Wear) and North Sea Cycle Route, or take on the trails at Hamsterley Forest - a magnet for mountain bikers.

You may not have thought of a city centre as being a place where you can get a taste of the outdoor life, but in historic Durham City you can do just that. Take a walk along the banks of the River Wear, drift leisurely along the water in a rowing boat, or visit Durham University's Botanic Garden which joins Crook Hall as being one of the city's green-fingered hidden gems.