195 Crimdon to Redcar

Crimdon to Redcar via Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Port Clarence, Billingham, Middlesbrough. 

Dunes and then cliff top start to Hartlepool via the wastelands of North Sands. From the redeveloped marina in Hartlepool its out via the Old Town across Hartlepool Bay keeping to the seaward side of the golf course (ECP route goes inland). Dunes, then scrub to industrial roadside walking up to Middlesbrough. Option to cross the Tees via the Transporter Bridge (closed when I visited). Then town streets and Teesdale Way through heavy industry, sandwiched between rail tracks - often overgrown. Road and scrubland path to end. 

England Coast Path 
Teesdale Way

A bizarre but entertaining day with a few extremely dull bits thrown in. Early dunes give way to a cliff top start into Hartlepool before departing from the ECP for a dune and beach walk around the golf course (option to follow the formal ECP). Inland via bland industrial roads around Port Clarence and Billingham with the works of Seal Sands ever looming. Worth a crossing of the Tees via the Transporter Bridge if open (it was closed for painting when I visited). This route crosses the Newport Bridge further inland and then along side streets into Middlesbrough. Passing Middlesbrough FC follow the Teesdale Way for an entertaining section through heavy industry which is not pretty. The path is edged by imposing and sometimes rotten fencing, rail tracks on both sides and a smelting works where you can feel the radiant heat. The path is often overgrown with brambles and I had to scale a few pipe tracks and climb around a couple of temporary security fences blocking the path (not marked as closed). Wildlife is interesting with the odd rat, travellers' goats and I even saw two beautiful fallow deer in the industrial wilderness. Roads and a scrubland path emerge at Redcar to end a long day - 4 miles shorter via the Transporter Bridge. 

My Rank ****

More info and views at GBCoastWalk.com