Care needs to be taken here and there with the surface, gradient and with adjacent traffic, but overall the route is suitable to most ages.

A suggested start point would be from Hetton Lyons Country Park and would be followed clockwise.  Check the 'Cycling in Sunderland' leaflet for guidance.  Begin by trying out the 1km purpose built cycle track around the park itself, circling the lake.  At the west end of the park, join the Stephenson Trail and the old wagonway as it threads between the housing towards Copt Hill.  A steep incline is then followed (rough at present, due for improvement soon!) up to the Copt Hill Public House.  A tarmac path beside the B1404 road leads past the golf course towards Warden Law - cyclists should give way to pedestrians along this stretch of route especially. 

From Warden Law the path peters out at Salter's Lane (an ancient road that stretched from Teesside to Tyneside but is now largely traffic-free).  This route ambles along south and there are numerous route options in this area for cycling, including links across to National Route 1.  After passing through Carr House Farm, turn right onto the former Sunderland-Durham Elvet railway line and drop steadily downwards back into the Country Park. 

More leisure cycling routes