This short 3-mile section is the dramatic, beating heart of the Durham Heritage Coast. It is a walk of staggering environmental rebirth.
In just a few miles, you will journey from the striking promontory of Nose’s Point down across a beach once scarred by heavy industry—now famously reclaimed by the sea—before plunging into a lush, hidden glacial valley and finishing at one of the region’s most iconic coal mining monuments.
Part of the Tyne to Tees Coastal Path Master Series
This article is Stage 3 of a 5-part definitive guide to walking the entire Tyne to Tees coast.
- Previous Step: Stage 2: Sunderland to Seaham Guide
- View the Full Route: The Tyne to Tees Coastal Path Master Guide
- Next Up: Stage 4: Easington Colliery to Crimdon Guide
⏱️ Essential Trail Logistics & Planning
Distance:
3 miles (5 km) | Linear route.
Time:
1.5 – 2.5 hours (allow extra time to explore the beach and valley floors).
Terrain:
Gravel coastal tracks, steep wooden and concrete steps, muddy woodland trails, and uneven beach shingles.
Public Transport:
Excellent. Regular local buses (such as the 23) connect Easington Colliery directly back to Seaham town center and the railway station.
Dog Friendliness:
Brilliant variation, but close control is needed on steep valley steps and near clifftops.
🥾 The Route Breakdown: Step-by-Step Milestones
Nose’s Point to Blast Beach
Miles 0 – 1
Start at the Nose’s Point car park on the southern lip of Seaham.
Take a moment to absorb the panoramic clifftop views before following the obvious gravel track heading south.
To truly experience this stretch, take the steep, rugged path on your left that cuts down through the cliffs directly onto the wide, atmospheric expanse of Blast Beach.
Walk along the shingle, keeping the cliffs to your right.
Blast Beach to Hawthorn Dene
Miles 1 – 2
Retrace your steps back to the main clifftop trail or follow the lower shoreline path to look for the hidden sea caves.
The path runs parallel to the coastal railway line, tracking through open wildflower meadows where the calls of skylarks fill the air.
Soon, the open fells drop suddenly into Hawthorn Dene. Follow the steep steps down into this deep, heavily wooded limestone gorge.
Hawthorn Viaduct to Easington Pit Cage
Miles 2 – 3
Cross the small wooden footbridge over the stream at the bottom of the dene.
Pass directly underneath the towering, majestic brick arches of the railway viaduct, catching a beautiful frame of the sea cutting through the stone.
Climb the steps out of the valley on the southern side, following the invigorating clifftop path until you spot the massive, black steel silhouette of the Easington Colliery Pit Cage marking the end of Stage 3.
🏛️ Deep Dives & Local Lore: Reclaimed Shores & Glacial Valleys
The Alien Rebirth of Blast Beach
Looking down from the high vantage point of Nose’s Point, it is almost impossible to reconcile the pristine, wild beauty of Blast Beach today with its grim industrial past.
Until the local mines closed in the early 1990s, this beach was the main dumping ground for millions of tons of black colliery waste from Dawdon Colliery.
The shore was completely blackened, dead, and desolate—a stark landscape so surreal and otherworldly that Hollywood director David Fincher used it to film the desolate alien planet crash-landing scenes in the 1992 film Alien 3.
Following the massive “Turning the Tide” environmental project, the relentless power of the North Sea has thoroughly scrubbed the sand clean.
If you look closely among the pebbles near the water’s edge today, you can still find smooth, rounded chunks of colorful iron slag and sea-worn coal—a beautiful, tactile reminder of the coast’s incredible capacity to heal.
The Subterranean Oasis of Hawthorn Dene
As you drop into Hawthorn Dene, the salt-sprayed maritime landscape completely vanishes, replaced instantly by a lush, green woodland that feels like entering a natural cathedral.
This deep limestone gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the second-largest woodland of its kind in the entire county.
Created during the last ice age by glacial meltwaters cutting through the magnesian limestone rock, it has become a vital sanctuary for rare yew, ash, and ancient oak trees, completely sheltered from the harsh North Sea winds.
🍽️ The Hospitality Stop: Where to Refuel
Because this stage takes you deep into the wilder sections of the heritage fells, the main food spots sit at the absolute start and finish of your walk.
The Pre-Hike Fuel: Seaham Marina Cafés. Before you leave Seaham, make sure to drop into the harbor front food bars for a full breakfast or a takeaway coffee. It is the last proper café stop for the next few miles.
The Historic Finish: The Dennis Donnini VC Memorial. Once you reach Easington Colliery, take a short stroll into the village to view the moving memorial dedicated to Dennis Donnini, the youngest ever recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War II, before stopping by a local village pub for a well-earned cold pint.
🐾 The Four-Legged Team Dispatch
Malc & Pete’s Trail Notes
This walk is an absolute masterclass in variety for dogs. Blast Beach is a massive, wide-open playground where Malc and Pete love to sprint along the water’s edge without a care in the world.
Because the beach is so enclosed by the towering cliffs, it feels incredibly safe and isolated.
The Danger Zones: While the beach is pure freedom, Hawthorn Dene requires total focus. The wooden and concrete steps cutting down into the gorge are exceptionally steep and can become incredibly slick with mud or damp leaves after a rain spell. If your dogs tend to pull on the lead, take it very slowly here. Additionally, the trail actively runs alongside the active Sunderland-to-Hartlepool railway line in several places; ensure your pack is on a short lead whenever you are approaching the designated track crossings.
Ready for the Next Milestone?
You’ve explored the alien shores of Blast Beach and trekked through the ancient glacial canopy of Hawthorn Dene. Now, the trail flattens back out into expansive, high-cliff fells, guiding you past hidden rock arches toward a paradise of coastal wildlife.
👉 Advance to Tyne to Tees Stage 4: Easington Colliery to Crimdon
