Weekender: The Jackson Trail
Route name: The Jackson Trail
Start/finish: Elemore Country Park
Maps: OS Explorer 308
Ride length: 41.4km (25.7 miles)
Climbing: 305m
Bike type: Hybrid/gravel bike would be perfect for this route
Ride level: Regular – there is a bit of climbing on this route, but because it follows disused railway lines, they are never too steep!
Taking inspiration and the first half of the route from The Stephenson Trail created by Sunderland City Council, The Jackson Trail is a very accessible circular route utilising disused railway lines linking disused mines (now mostly country parks) within Sunderland.
Alan Jackson and Coalfield Cycling Group put the route together. On the day I cycled the route, I was joined by John, Gill, Duncan and Geoff from the Coalfield Cycling Group.
The Jackson Trail is named after Alan Jackson, a member of the group, secretary of Hetton Local and Natural History Society and all-round local history knowledge bank.
Without Alan, Gill “would not have been part of the cycling group” and because “Alan can’t cycle the route anymore, we are doing it because of him”.
Coalfield Cycling Group is a welcoming Cycling UK Community Cycling Club based in the North-East, meeting in Murton every Tuesday morning and Elemore on the third Sunday of every month.
For Gill, being part of the group helps her “to explore new routes” and for Geoff, having recently retired, he had some trepidation joining the group, but “everyone was so welcoming and chatty, so anyone that may be fearful of joining a similar group really shouldn’t be.
“Just give it a go. There will always be someone there who is likeminded. It is more about the social side of things.”
John, who is one of the ride leaders of Coalfield Cycling Group, says: “Solo cyclists can think of loads of reasons not to ride. If you are in a group, you have a loyalty and form a habit … you want to keep doing it for everyone else.”
The first half of the route to Sunderland follows The Stephenson Trail (named after George Stephenson), which roughly follows the Hetton Collery Railway. This opened in 1822, and according to Sunderland City Council “was the longest railway in the world at the time”.
When in use, the line carried coal from Hetton to the River Wear Staithes in Sunderland.
From Sunderland, after crossing the Wear on the new Keel Crossing, and back south of the river on the Spire Bridge, the second half of the route roughly follows the Leamside Line, which is another disused railway line in the region.
Geoff and John explained that it is not just a “head’s-down” cycle route. You can “really relate to the history, taking your time, using it as a history lesson”.
The route as a whole “highlights the contrast, beauty, nature and industry of Sunderland”.
Gill highlighted that you “could start at different points and don’t have to do the whole route straight away…you could build up to it”.
1. Elemore Country Park
The route starts and finishes in the beautiful country park of Elemore. Established on the site of old Elemore Colliery and golf course, the park now has many accessible tracks and an abundance of wildlife.
2. Copt Hill
While there is now a restaurant here if you need an early stop, historically this was a site of locomotive importance.
This was the crossing of the Hetton Colliery Railway and Londonderry Railway, being a key connection point for other smaller industrial lines too. At this point, you are also close to the ancient burial ground of the Seven Sisters.
3. Keel Crossing/Sheepfolds Stables
Opened in 2025, Keel Crossing (AKA Regis Le Bridge) links the city of Sunderland perfectly with the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC.
Being only open to walkers, wheelers and cyclists makes it a joy to cross and allows you the time to pause and gaze east out to the coast and west to the site of the old staithes at the end of the Hetton Colliery Railway and further along the River Wear.
Don’t forget to stop at one of the many eateries in the centre of Sunderland itself, or even the brilliant Sheepfolds Stables, close to the stadium. Geoff and Jill believe that: “Sunderland is very much cycle friendly…and the Keel Crossing is a definite highlight of the route.”
4. Penshaw monument
John’s favourite part of the route is the view of Penshaw Monument. The 70-foot-high monument, according to the National Trust, was “built in 1844 to celebrate the life and work of John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham”.
The monument has links with the mining industry too, with the stone coming from mines in County Durham that the Marquess of Londonderry owned. You don’t just get a view of the monument when you are close to it: keep an eye out for it on the whole route and you will be surprised how many times you can spot it.
5. Elba Park
Built on the site of the former Lambton Cokeworks, Elba Park is now a peaceful place in which you can walk, wheel or cycle. The route takes you past a thought-provoking statue by Colin Wilbourn, remembering the miners who worked at the colliery.
6. Rainton Meadows
Rainton Meadows is your final chance for a coffee and cake stop at the visitor centre. According to the Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows was created by the restoration of Rye Hill Opencast mine in 1996.
It is also a great way to near the end of the ride, cycling close to Joe’s Pond, and keeping an eye out for over 200 species of birds. (Maybe take a breather off the bike while doing this please!)
