Lets Go Tees Valley

There are miles of great cycle routes around Darlington and the Walking and Cycling Map will help you find the best route for you to get to A to B. 

You can pick up a cycle map from the Dolphin Centre, town hall, library or Bike Stop on Skinnergate, Darlington.

Cycling in the town centre

There is a number of pedestrianised and one-way streets in Darlington town centre so please make sure you're cycling in the right direction! Details of where you can and can't cycle are on the map download above.

if you need advice on the best route for you, pop into Bike Stop [external link], Darlington's active travel hub, where staff will be able you speak to you about your options.

The Hartlepool Walking and Cycling map provides routes and visitor information from coast to country!

You can get a hard copy of it from Hartlepool Council Civic Centre on Victoria Road or email  tony.davison@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 01429 523259. 

A hard copy fold-out walking and cycling map for Middlesbrough can be downloaded here! You can also pick up a hard copy from Middlesbrough Cycle Centre in Middlesbrough Bus Station.

For more on cycling in Middlesbrough, visit the cycling pages on Middlesbrough Council's website [external link] or visit Middlesbrough Environment City [external link].

Redcar & Cleveland has miles of beautiful coastline and wonderful forests to explore on two wheels. Download your map of cycle routes here:

You can find more cycling routes around Redcar with the online MyRedar Map [external link]. Pick up a hard copy of the map from Redcar library.

With routes stretching from north to south and all the way along the River Tees, Stockton has an abundance of safe cycling routes for every journey within the borough. Find them all here:

You can pick up a printed map from The Hub on Stockton High Street, where they can also provide information about free guided rides and maintenance courses. They will also help you plan your journey from A to B, with their huge wall map!

Stockton Council has produced a booklet on walking and cycling in Stockton-on-Tees [pdf, external link].

For more information about cycling in Stockton visit www.stockton.gov.uk.

Here is a selection of routes that have been developed over time. We'd love you to try them out, but please note that these may not been risk assessed or tested for a period of time. These routes are to be ridden at your own risk. (Sorry, we have to say that!)

Darlington self-guided routes

Circular routes

1. Brinkburn Local Nature Reserve and West Park
2. Cemetery Lane to Nunnery Lane
3. River Skerne to Red Hall
4. Whinfield
5. Firthmoor and Skerne Park
6. Firthmoor and Lingfield
7. South Park, Mowden and Hummersknott
8. Rockwell, Faverdale and Town Centre
9. Middleton St George
10. Walworth

Radial routes

These routes are the cycle routes from the outskirts of Darlington into the town centre using off-road paths or quiet residential streets. Each route has its own colour and is well signposted along the way.

1. Green: Westpark route
2. Yellow: Mowden route
3. Grey: Hummersknott route
4. Black: Blackwell route
5. Red: Haughton route
6. Blue: Morton Park route

Middlesbrough self-guided routes

1. Marton West Loop (5 miles) [pdf, external link]
2. Coulby Newham, Acklam and Easterside (9 miles) [pdf, external link]
3. Pallister Park to Stewart Park (2 miles) [pdf, external link]
4. Newham Grange to Hemlington Lake (1.25 miles) [pdf, external link]
5. Stewart Park – Newham Grange (1.5 miles) [pdf, external link]
6. Hemlington Lake (3.5 miles) [pdf, external link]
7. Riverside Loop (6 miles) [pdf, external link]
8. East Middlesbrough loop (4 miles [pdf, external link]

Stockton-on-Tees self-guided routes

1. Billingham and Wolviston [pdf, external link]
2. Hardwick, Roseworth & Thorpe Thewles [pdf, external link]
3. The Ingleby Way [pdf, external link]
4. Portrack Loop [pdf, external link]
5. West Stockton Wanderer [pdf, external link]
6. Riverside Rambler [pdf, external link]
7. Central Stockton Loop [pdf, external link]

Stockton Council has produced a booklet on walking and cycling in Stockton-on-Tees [pdf, external link].

Family-Friendly self-guided routes

We all know that cycling is great for us as individuals, but it's also a fantastic family activity too. Getting out with the children give us a chance to bond with shared experiences and, let's face it, we all feel like a big kid when we're on a bike!

Take a picnic and enjoy the ride!

View our family-friendly cycle routes here

Cycle parking in the Tees Valley

Thanks to The Hub, Stockton, you can now view cycle parking facilities in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton on this interactive map. The green symbols show secure under-cover parking facilities.

Click the image below to go to the map.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore what other cycle routes the UK has to offer, we have selected a few useful links to help you plan your next trip:

1. National Cycle Network
2. Hamsterley Forest cycle trails
3. Kielder Water & Forest Park cycling

Sometimes, you just need a quick show and tell of how to do something, to help you get on your way. Here, you'll find a number of videos on how to address maintenance issues, some created by us and some created by other experts in the cycling world. Watch and learn!

Before you set off - The M-Check

Giving your bike the quick once over before you start each journey will make sure your bike is roadworthy and safe. Video from Cycling UK.

How to fix a puncture

The bain of every cyclists' life! But easy to fix with a little bit of know-how and some basic tools. Video from Cycling UK.

How to inflate a bicycle tyre

A flat tyre shouldn't stop the fun! A quick pump and off you go!

Bike Stop, Darlington

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-7pm

Bike Stop [external link] runs a series of maintenance courses from their premises on Skinnergate in the town centre. Each week focuses on a different issue so you can build up a working knowledge of your bike over a number of sessions.

Cost: Adults £10, juniors (age 10-18) £5

Call 01325 788857 or email rob.archer@bikestop.org.uk for more information.

Summerhill Country Park, Hartlepool

Mondays 10th, 17th and 24th February 2020, 5.30-7.30pm

Learn how to maintain and repair frames, brakes, forks, gears and sort out your flat times! Lead by a fully qualified level 3 Cytech instructor at Summerhill Cycle Clinic [external link] at Summerhill Country Park

Cost: £15 for three sessions.

Call 01429 284584 or email summerhill.enquiries@hartlepool.gov.uk for more information.

Middlesbrough Bike Academy, Albert Park

The Bike Academy [external link] is the training hub of Middlesbrough Cycle Centre, part of Middlesbrough Environment City and provides a number of maintenance courses and cycling training sessions. Training takes place at a variety of dates and times, so please contact the Academy to find a course that suits you.

They also provide Dr Bike sessions at workplaces.

Call 01642 579820 or email info@menvcity.org.uk for more information.

Redcar Active Travel Hub

The Redcar Active Travel Hub [external link] is a mobile service that helps residents and workers in Redcar walk and cycle more for their everyday journeys.

Basic cycle maintenance training

They offer a number of basic cycle maintenance courses to the general public, community groups, and local workplaces. They can be organised to meet your needs and at a time that suits you. An accreditation can be worked towards, if required.

Cycle Recycle

Fix it and keep it! People on the Cycle Recycle programme will learn how to fix common faults and how to ride safely. At the end of the course, participants can keep the bike they have been working on. These courses can be tailored to suit individual needs and can be accredited if required.

Call 01642 579820 or email info@menvcity.org.uk for more information.

The Hub, Stockton

Wednesdays, 9.30am-12.30pm

From their central Stockton location, The Hub [external link] runs free maintenance courses so you can learn the basics of fixing your bike. The course covers:

• How to replace and patch an inner tube (fix a flat tyre)
• The ‘M-check’ safety check of your bike
• Adjusting gears & brakes
• How to tell when to replace items (brake pads, rims, bearings, etc.)
• Adjusting your headset
• What products & techniques to use to care for your bike

Split into two parts, the course runs from 9:30am–12:30pm on a Wednesday, with the second half at the same time the following Wednesday.

Call 01642 803441 or email stocktonactivetravel@sustrans.org.uk to book your place.

Bike Stop Darlington

31 Skinnergate, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 7NR

Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm

Tel: 01325 788857

Email: Rob.Archer@bikestop.org.uk

Website: www.bikestop.org.uk [external link]

Facilities and services:

• Guided group rides and adult learn-to-ride lessons
• Cycle maintenance courses for beginners and experienced cyclists
• Cycle maps
• Guided walks in South Park and other green spaces
• Dr. Bike maintenance sessions at schools and offices
• Secure bike parking
• Work placements and work experience
• Volunteering opportunities
• Repairs and servicing

Hartlepool Borough Council Active Travel Hub

Administration:

Level 4, Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8AY

Tel: 01429 523259

Email: safeonthemove@hartlepool.gov.uk

Summerhill Country Park Cycle Clinic:

Summerhill Lane, Hartlepool, TS25 4LL

Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm

Tel: 01429 284584

Email: summerhill.enquiries@hartlepool.gov.uk

Website: www.gethartlepoolactive.co.uk/summerhillcountrypark [external link]

Facilities and services:

The Hartlepool Active Travel Hub aims to promote and develop sustainable travel in Hartlepool. Contact the Hub for information about:

• Detailed advice on bus and train travel in the Hartlepool area
• Local guided bike rides
• Local guided walks
• All levels of cycle training for any age from learn-to-ride to urban skills riding
• The Bikeability training programme for schools
• Learn to ride ‘balance bike’ sessions
• Bike servicing
• Bike maintenance training courses
• Dr Bike – bike repair sessions
• Walking and cycling route planning
• Pedestrian Training in schools
• Active travel events
• The Hartlepool Cycling Development Plan

Also look out for local promotions encouraging walking, cycling and travel by public transport.

Middlesbrough Cycle Centre

Middlesbrough Bus Station, Unit 4, Newport Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5AE

Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm

Tel: 01642 579820

Email: info@menvcity.org.uk

Web: menvcity.org.uk/mcc/

Facilities and services:

• Free secure cycle parking, lockers and changing facilities
• Cycle training, including Bikeability
• Bicycle maintenance courses
• Guided rides for all levels of ability
• Guided walks
• Yorkshire Bike Library [external link] for free bike loans
• Cycle and route maps
• Shopmobility [external link] and mobility scooter hire

Hands-on courses are run out of the Bike Academy [external link] located in Jelly Stone Park Training Centre, Grovehill, Middlesbrough. These include: cycle maintenance training, national standards road safety, learn-to-ride and ride champion training.

Redcar Mobile Active Travel Hub

Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm

Tel: 01642 579820

Email: info@menvcity.org.uk

Website: www.menvcity.org.uk/redcar-active-travel/ [external link]

Facilities and services:

The Redcar Active Travel Hub provides walking and cycling advice in and around the Redcar and Cleveland area. Operating from a van, they can offer:

• Guided bike rides
• Guided walks
• Cycle maintenance courses
• Dr Bike services in workplaces
• Cycle training
• Bikeability and pedestrian training in schools

The Hub, Stockton

147 Stockton High Street, TS18 1PL

Tel: 01642 617672

Email: stocktonactivetravel@sustrans.org.uk

Web: thehubstockton.wordpress.com [external link]

The Hub Stockton, run by national walking and cycling charity Sustrans, offers free information and advice on all aspects of cycling and walking, with regular guided rides and walks, and training courses on cycle maintenance and on-road cycling.

The cycling parking facility is completely free with no hourly limits, just make sure you pick it up the same day you drop it off!

Facilities and services:

• Weekly guided rides
• Free cycle parking from 7.30am–5.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Lockers and changing facilities
• Cycle maps and personalised route planning
• Free bicycle MOT checks every Thursday
• Bike Maintenance courses
• Dr Bike sessions for workplaces, schools or other groups
• Road cycling guidance
• Guided group walks around Stockton