Cycling in the Heart of Northumberland
Cycling is an excellent and efficient way to get around Northumberland; a bike will get you to places cars can never reach!
You can cycle in peace on quiet roads, bridleways and tracks which make superb cycle routes and are a perfect way to explore one of the loveliest and most historic areas in Northern England. There are simply miles and miles of cycle tracks around Northumberland to enjoy, an unrivalled sense of freedom and fresh air in abundance.
Whether you are looking for coastal flatlands or rolling hills you will be spoilt for choice. Iconic landmarks including castles and bastles abound whilst ‘big sky’ views are your frequent companion. With a wealth of places to visit, picturesque villages and great pubs, cafés and tasty local food, there’s always an excuse to take a break from the saddle.
Routes to explore
Kielder Water & Forest Park
A mountain bikers dream!
Kielder Water & Forest Park which has an extensive network of off-road trails, as well as the family friendly Lakeside Way – a 26 mile trail that encircles the shoreline of Kielder Water. These facilities were one of the reasons Kielder Water & Forest Park was voted ‘best tourism experience’ at the 2013 Visit England awards.
The Pennine Cycleway
The most northern 104 miles links the North Pennines with the near border town of Berwick upon Tweed and traverses some of England’s most dramatic unspoilt landscapes. After briefly sharing the C2C Cycle Route, the climbs through the North Pennines are replaced by the hilly sections of Hadrian’s Wall country. After sharing some 7 miles of Hadrian’s Cycleway, the oft fought-over remote ‘debatable lands’ are crossed and the route meanders over lonely hill and dale to edge the undulating Cheviot Hills before traversing flat lands to its end.
The Reivers Cycle Route
Conceived to be a mirror image of the popular C2C Cycle Route, The 187 mile long Reivers Cycle Route traverses some of the least populated and most scenically wonderful terrain in England. The 60 or so Northumbrian miles are uniquely special beginning near Ponteland in the East and taking cyclists through increasingly hilly landscapes all the way to the Scottish border.
The Sandstone Way
The Sandstone Way is a new 120 mile / 193 km mountain bike route in Northumberland between Berwick upon Tweed and Hexham along a sandstone ridge in North Northumberland and linking numerous sandstone features, crags and outcrops. It heads into the unexplored interior of Northumberland and the National Park, before finishing in style on the banks of the River Tyne at Hexham.
Information on cycle routes is available at the Rothbury Tourist Information Centre and the following links:
Cycling in Northumberland | Kielder Water Cycling | Cycle Pad | Forestry Commission | Reivers Cycle Route | Sustrans | The C2C Web Site
Cycling Holidays & Service Providers
With some of the best cycle trails, tracks and roads, the Heart of Northumberland is an ideal spot for a cycling holiday. We have a wide range of accommodation suitable for cyclists, take a look below to find your perfect retreat.
In the following accommodation guests can expect secure bike storage to be available and packed lunches available locally.
