B*TRAIL Tanfield After Dark, night event at Tanfield Railway.

Tanfield Railway, County Durham

Tanfield.
November 7.

The heritage railway after dark. Reflective-lit routes out of East Tanfield Station, head torches and bike lights on, a genuinely atmospheric setting once the light goes.

Trail run · £30 →Gravel ride · £30 →
Event date
Sat 7 Nov 2026
Entries close
1 Nov 2026
Disciplines
Trail / Gravel
Entry from
£30
B*TRAIL Tanfield After Dark, night event at Tanfield Railway.

Two ways in

Run it or ride it, after dark.

Same night, same station, same finish. Lights are mandatory on both, and the routes are reflective-lit throughout.

Tanfield After Dark – Night Trail Run, 7th November 2026

Tanfield After Dark

Trail Run.

Ticket
5KM / 10KM
Entry
£30
Start time
20:00
Status
Entries open
Routes, terrain and kit

Night Trail Run · Tanfield After Dark, Tanfield Railway

Run the valley that powered the industrial north, this time after dark. Tanfield's trail network follows the original railway earthworks into mixed woodland, open field edges and the wooded gorge of the Causey Burn. The same proper trail running terrain, completely transformed once the sun drops. Head torches on, beams cutting through the trees, the heritage railway lit against the night.

Choose Your Distance

Short Route: approx. 5 km

A single loop starting and finishing at East Tanfield Station. The route drops into the Causey Burn valley, follows the streamside path through the woodland and climbs back out via the original railway embankment. Technical underfoot in the valley sections, and more so in the dark. Expect tree roots, stone and narrow path picked out by your head torch. The overall elevation gain is manageable for a runner who trains regularly. Trail shoes are required; road shoes are not suitable.

Long Route: approx. 10 km

The long route completes the short loop before continuing north along the ridge and dropping back through a second valley system. The additional section introduces open bridleway running, a second significant descent and a longer sustained climb. In darkness this is a demanding run. Runners should be comfortable with back-to-back climbs, variable underfoot conditions and navigating by head torch. Mandatory kit applies to both routes after dark. See below.

Surface and Terrain

  • Woodland singletrack with roots and stones
  • Streamside path (can be wet after rain)
  • Open bridleway and field-edge track
  • Railway embankment path, firm and wide
  • No significant road running
  • Course marked with reflective markers and marshalled with lights

Mandatory Kit: All Runners

  • Head torch, fitted and working, bright enough for technical trail
  • Backup light or spare batteries
  • Windproof or waterproof jacket packable into a vest or pack
  • Minimum 500 ml water carry
  • Mobile phone with emergency contact number saved
  • Small first aid supply (blister kit minimum)
  • Something reflective or hi-vis recommended

Kit may be checked at registration. Runners without a working head torch and backup light will not be permitted to start.

What Is Included

  • Marked and reflective-lit route on the day
  • Water station(s) on the long route
  • Marshals with lights at key points
  • Start and finish at East Tanfield Station, Tanfield Railway
  • Hot food and drink at the venue after your run

What to Bring

  • Head torch and backup light (both mandatory)
  • Trail shoes (mandatory, road shoes are not appropriate for either route)
  • Running vest or pack recommended for carrying mandatory kit
  • Warm layers for the start and finish, nights can be cold in November
  • Any nutrition you rely on for your distance

The Venue

East Tanfield Station, Tanfield Railway. Parking on site. Registration and the event hub will be open in the evening before the start, with hot drinks available. The heritage railway makes for a genuinely atmospheric setting after dark.

Date: Saturday 7th November 2026
Start time: 8:00 PM (20:00)
Start location: Tanfield Railway, East Tanfield Station, DH9 9UY

Enter the trail run →

Pick your ticket and free tee at checkout

Tanfield After Dark – Night Gravel Ride, 7th November 2026

Tanfield After Dark

Gravel Ride.

Ticket
50KM / 100KM
Entry
£30
Start time
19:00
Status
Entries open
Routes, terrain and kit

Night Gravel Ride · Tanfield After Dark, Tanfield Railway

Ride the world's oldest working railway after dark. Tanfield's winding former colliery lines and surrounding woodland tracks make for genuinely rewarding gravel riding, and they take on a different character entirely once the lights go on. Varied surface, real gradient, and a route that earns its views, ridden under the beam of your head and bar lights.

Choose Your Distance

Short Route: approx. 50 km

A single loop taking in the railway corridor and the wooded valley descents either side. Manageable for confident cyclists, and a satisfying night out for experienced riders. Expect a mix of compacted gravel track, short technical sections on rooted path, and one steady climb back to the venue. Cumulative elevation is moderate. Suitable for a gravel or hybrid bike with tyres 35 mm or wider. Strong lights essential.

Long Route: approx. 100 km

The full night out. The long route extends south through the Derwent Walk corridor before looping back through the exposed ridge above the Tyne Valley. You will encounter loose gravel descents, wet clay through the wooded sections, and a sustained climb in the final third, all in the dark. This is a route that rewards pacing and good lighting. A gravel bike with tyres 38 mm or wider is strongly recommended. Some sections will be exposed to wind.

Surface and Terrain

  • Compacted gravel track (majority of both routes)
  • Rooted woodland singletrack (short sections)
  • Open bridleway with potential for mud after rain

Mandatory Kit: All Riders

  • Bright front light suitable for unlit trail
  • Backup front light or spare batteries
  • Rear red light
  • Helmet (mandatory)
  • Spare tube and basic tools, there is no mechanical support on course
  • Mobile phone with emergency contact number saved
  • Windproof or waterproof layer
  • Something reflective or hi-vis recommended

Kit may be checked at registration. Riders without adequate front lighting and a backup will not be permitted to start.

What Is Included

  • GPX file sent ahead of the event
  • Marked and reflective-lit route on the day
  • Feed station(s) on the long route
  • Marshals with lights at key points
  • Start and finish at East Tanfield Station, Tanfield Railway
  • Hot food and drink at the venue after your ride

What to Bring

  • Front and rear lights plus a backup front light (mandatory)
  • Gravel or hybrid bike in good mechanical order
  • Helmet (mandatory)
  • Spare tube and basic tools
  • Warm layers for the start and finish, nights can be cold in November
  • Water for the first section before the feed station

The Venue

East Tanfield Station sits at the heart of the Tanfield Railway, a working steam railway and a genuine piece of industrial heritage, and an atmospheric place to roll out from after dark. Parking is available on site. The event hub will be open in the evening before the start with hot drinks and food.

Date: Saturday 7th November 2026
Start time: 7:00 PM (19:00)
Start location: Tanfield Railway, East Tanfield Station, DH9 9UY

Enter the gravel ride →

Pick your ticket and free tee at checkout

In every entry

What you get.

01. Finisher T-shirt

Not a medal. Something you will actually wear, with every event. We order to size, so pick yours at checkout.

02. Reflective-lit route

Marked and reflective-lit throughout, with marshals on lights at the key points.

03. On-course support

Water station on the long run. Feed station on the long ride. Gravel entrants also get the GPX ahead of the event.

04. Hot food and drink

Waiting at the venue when you are back. The event hub opens in the evening before the start.

The location

East Tanfield Station.

East Tanfield Station sits at the heart of the Tanfield Railway, a working heritage line in County Durham. Parking is on site, and registration and the event hub open in the evening before the start with hot drinks.

Both routes start and finish here. The railway makes for a genuinely atmospheric setting after dark.

  • VenueTanfield Railway, County Durham
  • DateSaturday 7 November 2026
  • Trail start20:00
  • Gravel start19:00
  • Entries closeSunday 1 November 2026

Good questions

FAQ.

Do I need lights?

Yes, and they are mandatory. Runners need a head torch bright enough for technical trail plus a backup light or spare batteries. Riders need a bright front light, a backup front light or spare batteries, and a rear red light.

What else is mandatory?

Runners: a packable windproof or waterproof jacket, 500 ml water minimum, a phone with an emergency contact saved and a small first aid supply. Riders: a helmet, a spare tube and basic tools, and a phone with an emergency contact. There is no mechanical support on course.

Do I need trail shoes?

Yes, on both run distances. Road shoes are not appropriate.

What bike do I need?

A gravel or hybrid bike in good mechanical order, with a helmet. Bring a spare tube and basic tools.

Is there food afterwards?

Yes. Hot food and drink at the venue after your run or ride.

Anything else?

Full route, terrain and kit detail is under each discipline above. For anything else see the FAQ.

Who we are

About B*Trail.

B*Trail is a trail running and gravel riding events company in the north east of England.

The idea is simple: events worth actually entering. Proper terrain, proper marking, proper organisation. A start line where you do not feel like a race number.

B*Trail events are capped. That is not a gimmick. It is how you keep things good.

Follow along at @btrail.co.uk.

Tanfield · 7 November 2026

Lights on.

Entries close 1 November 2026.

Enter the trail runEnter the gravel ride