Guidance

North East: King Charles III England Coast Path

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The King Charles III England Coast Path is the longest National Trail in England. It goes all the way around the coast of England.

In the North East of England, the trail goes from the Humber Bridge to the Scottish Border.  

This is a varied stretch of coast which has castles, fishing villages, sandy beaches and lively seaside resorts.  

The trail goes through East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, including the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough, and around Lindisfarne Island. 

In this region, the trail also goes through the North York Moors National Park, the Durham Heritage Coast and Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

About the trail  

In the North East of England, the Kings Charles III England Coast Path goes between:  

• the Scottish Border, near Berwick upon Tweed 
• the Humber Bridge, Hessle

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular and linear walks that follow some of the trail. 

You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit  

The trail is open all year. There may be seasonal changes to the route of the trail, such as:   

• ferries that only run during part of the year, or have a seasonal timetable   
• alternative routes designed to protect wildlife, ensure your safety or allow land management activities   

Areas on the coast can be very exposed to the weather, which can be changeable. Be aware of risks such as storms and strong winds, tides and waves. Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off.

Signposts on the trail 

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol. You’ll see this and signs for the King Charles III England Coast Path along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.  

Some sections of the trail follow other National Trails or named trails. You may see signs with the names of these trails, or signs may say the trail is “part of the King Charles III England Coast Path”. Look out for where the trails join or separate.

Explore beyond the trail 

In most places you can explore the land between the trail and the sea, known as the ‘coastal margin’. This area is shown in pink on Ordnance Survey maps.  

Follow the rules on exploring land in the coastal margin to find out which areas you can access or not. For example, some areas of saltmarsh and mudflat are not suitable for public access.

Accessibility on the trail  

 The King Charles III England Coast Path has been designed to be as accessible as possible, with minimal use of barriers such as stiles. However, most of the trail is on natural surfaces with varied natural terrain. 

In some places, the trail goes on:  

• paved promenades, pavements and other surfaces - which are suitable for prams, wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility 
• bridleways – which are open to cyclists and horse riders 

However, the nature of the coast means that there are steps in places.  

In the North East, there are long flights of steep steps down to the denes in County Durham and in certain sections of Bridlington North Sands to Filey.  

Paved sections 

In other places the coast path is paved, such as along the promenades in Hartlepool and the riverside in Sunderland. These sections are suitable for wheelchairs, most types of mobility vehicles or people with reduced mobility. Other motor vehicles are not allowed. 

Stile or step free sections  

There are sections of the trail that are stile or step free, including: 

• from South Bents to Amble – 32km of the trail is stile free and has no flights of steps (no more than 10 steps at a time) 
• from Skegness to Mablethorpe – 26km of the trail is stile free and mostly follows promenades which are accessible to most people 
• from the marina in Seaham – 3km follows the pavement from Seaham to Nose’s Point, and the trail beyond has been improved to provide access for all

What you can experience on the trail  

 There are many things you can experience on the coast path in the North East, including:   

• wildlife – such as seabird colonies of Bempton and the chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head    
• historic and heritage sites – such as the ruins, castles and abbeys of the Northumberland coast inlcuding Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles
• nature reserves – including Spurn Point and Lindisfarne  
• local culture, food and entertainment   

In the North East, the trail goes through: 

• Kingston-upon-Hull, Middlesborough, Sunderland, Blyth and Berwick upon Tweed 
• Scarborough, Whitby and Bamburgh

Sections of the trail

Some sections of the trail are not yet fully open. Check the map on the National Trails website to plan your route.

East Riding of Yorkshire

This section of the trail goes from the Humber Bridge through Kingston-upon-Hull to Easington (near Spurn Point), then Bridlington, and to Flamborough Head, south of Filey.

The trail starts at the Humber Bridge.

As the trail goes near Hull, it passes docks and then goes into the historic area of the Hull Marina. The trail crosses the River Hull with its tidal surge barrier.

The trail goes east to Kilnsea and onto the Holderness Coast, passing Bridlington and Flamborough Head. From here the trail goes through Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve, where you can see the UK’s largest seabird colony.

This section ends just south of Filey.

Middlesbrough, Redcar and the North Yorkshire Coast  

This section of the trail goes along the cliffs of the North Yorkshire coast, through the North York Moors National Park. It goes through the coastal towns of Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Saltburn, Redcar and to the industrial centre of Middlesbrough.  

Part of this section follows the coastal part of the existing Cleveland Way National Trail.

Hartlepool, Durham and Sunderland 

From Newport Bridge, the trail returns to the coast and goes through Hartlepool’s historic marina and onto the Durham Heritage Coast. The area has a long coal mining history and is known for its magnesian limestone grassland. 

The trail past Sunderland docks, Sunderland Marina and Roker pier.

Tyne and Wear 

This short section from Sunderland to Seaton Sluice passes the landmark of Souter Lighthouse, and goes through South Shields where you can take a ferry across the River Tyne. 

After going through Tynemouth, the trail reaches Whitley Bay and goes past another lighthouse on St Mary’s Island before reaching Seaton Sluice.

Northumberland Coast  

The trail goes from Seaton Sluice in Tyneside to the Scottish Border, just north of Berwick upon Tweed.  

This coast is known for its wild sandy beaches, rolling dunes, castles, ruins and abbeys, and wide intertidal mudflats. There’s a range of wildlife from wildflowers and seabirds to seals and dolphins.  

The trail passes Craster, Seahouses and Bamburgh.  

The trail crosses a tidal causeway to Lindisfarne Island, also known as Holy Island, and leads to the Lindisfarne Priory. It is a long walk to cross the causeway. Check the tide times on the Northumberland Country Council website before you set off to make sure you can cross and return safely.  

Beyond Lindisfarne, the trail continues north and passes through the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. It goes on a few miles further north to the Scottish Border.

Maps for the trail 

You can find:    

• a map on the National Trails website – you can also download GPX data   
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print  
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council   

 Diversions or closures on the trail  

You may find minor diversions, seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail.  

Prepare for your visit 

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on:  

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures  
• planning your trip  
• what to prepare before you set off  
• what to do on the trail 

Contact 

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:   

• report a problem   

• ask a question about accessibility on the trail   

• find out about volunteering opportunities   

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.