Cycling Adventures in Northumberland National Park

Cycling in Northumberland National Park can be a wonderful experience – this area has some spectacularly beautiful scenery and some exhilarating rides, and as it’s one of the UK's least-visited national parks you're unlikely to encounter many other people on the trails or road.

In this article we’ll introduce you to some of the national park's best cycle routes, covering everything from easy family trails to expert mountain bike challenges, with several scenic road rides and fun events included too.

Mountain biking trails

Much of the terrain of Northumberland National Park is fairly remote and not widely visited – music to the ears of MTB enthusiasts looking for challenging and crowd-free trails. If you're confident heading out into the wild landscapes on your bike, check out some of the trails suggested by users on Komoot or AllTrails. Not sure where to start? We've picked three of the most popular mountain biking areas in Northumberland National Park to get you on the move.

Kielder Forest

England’s largest man-made forest, Kielder Forest is a fabulous destination for mountain bikers of all abilities, with great trails of all gradings and some gorgeous scenery to enjoy along the way. Add in good parking, bike hire, several tempting options for refreshments and a good range of alternative activities for any non-bikers in your party and you've got the makings of an ideal mountain biking destination.

There are eight main mountain bike trails at Kielder Forest:

• Families and beginner mountain bikers should head for the easygoing green-rated Borderline Trail, running for 3.7 miles (6 km) along a disused railway line.

• The next step up is the 12.7-mile (20.5 km) Osprey Trail, a free-flowing blue-rated cross-country trail; you could also take on the Lakeside Way, a multi-user trail running along the 27 miles (43 km) of the shoreline of Kielder Water.

• Red-level riders have three excellent trails to choose from, with fast singletrack sections, rocky areas, climbs and technical features to take on – check out the options of Lonesome Pine, Bloody Bush and Deadwater trails.

• Want a real challenge? Ride further up Deadwater Fell and take on the black trail, which has some thrilling downhill sections and the 'gap jump’ towards the bottom. For a truly epic ride, you can also pick up the Cross Border trail and head over to the 7Stanes site at Newcastleton.

Local tip: This is a working forest, so you may well come across logging vehicles while you're out riding. These can be dangerous, so don't pass them while they're loading logs; wait for the driver to show you it’s safe to pass.

Simonside Hills

The rugged terrain of the Simonside Hills, in the east of the national park, is full of exciting challenges for experienced mountain bikers – and the scenery is often spectacular too, with lots of intriguing rock formations, heather-clad hillsides and sweeping views towards the North Sea coast.

There’s a decent network of trails in this area, but they’re not waymarked and not hugely well used, so you'll have a bit of navigating to do. Following a plotted route like the 12-mile Simonside Hills Circular or 19-mile Simonside & Whitefield Circular is your best bet if you're not familiar with the area.

Local tip: This area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, so look out for wildlife such as red squirrels and curlews as you bike, and stick to marked trails to avoid damaging the delicate ecosystems.

Thrunton Wood

There are no officially designated mountain bike trails in Thrunton Wood, but cyclists are still very welcome at this site managed by Forestry England. It's a truly beautiful area to explore, with pathways winding through both forest and moorland and some fabulous open views across the Cheviot Hills.

The main trails that are suitable for mountain bikes have been mapped on Trailforks, so you can build a route that works for you, following forest roads or taking on more challenging trails. 

Local tip: One of the most interesting spots in Thrunton Wood is Castle Hill, which has the remains of an Iron Age fort alongside some caves previously used for worship.

Road cycling routes

Road cycling in Northumberland National Park is a real treat, with quiet roads running through stunning countryside and plenty of intriguing attractions and villages to visit along the way. The national park website has several suggested routes, and we've picked out a few favourites here for you to try out.

Once Brewed to Bellingham

Start: Once Brewed

Finish: Bellingham

Distance: 15.5 miles (25 km)

The village of Once Brewed is an intriguing place – come at it from the east and you'll see the village sign you expect; come from the west and you'll arrive in Twice Brewed. Aside from that, it's also the home of The Sill Visitor Centre, where you can learn all about the national park’s past and present through a series of exhibitions. 

Once you've done that, set off along the Pennine Way and make your way north along the waymarked trail to Bellingham. Taking in some gravel surfaces and unpaved areas, this isn't really a road-based route but it's doable on road bikes. Following a section of the longer St Wilfrid's Way (which runs all the way up to Edinburgh), you'll pass through woods and across moors for a ride that’s full of variety and fairly traffic-free.

Local tip: Once Brewed is very close to Hadrian’s Wall, and the Roman fort of Vindolanda is also nearby, so you might like to include these on your itinerary.

Black Grouse Cycle Loop

Start/end: Bellingham

Distance: 18 miles (29 km)

This moderate-rated circular route follows National Cycle Routes and quiet country roads linking the lovely market town of Bellingham with Greenhaugh and a couple of interesting historic sights in Hesleyside Hall and Black Middens Bastle. Because some of it runs off road, this route is best tackled on a hybrid bike.

There are a couple of hills to negotiate on this route, but nothing too terrifying – and the good news is that there are a couple of good pubs and tea rooms to refresh in once you arrive back in Bellingham.

Local tip: The name of this cycle trail is no accident, so look out for the distinctive black grouse as you pedal along the route. Their numbers have sadly declined in recent years, but it’s sometimes still possible to spot them out on the moors.

Otterburn & Coquetdale Loop

Start/end: Alwinton

Distance: 38 miles (61 km)

This is a long and strenuous ride – but it's hugely rewarding too. You’ll be following quiet roads and military roads (again, a hybrid bike is ideal for this mixed terrain) but this is very much a ride through wild countryside, with spectacular views en route. You’ll need to be well prepared with supplies and a map for this ride, as you won’t be passing any shops or cafés along the way and mobile reception can drop off at times.

As well as providing some great scenery, this 38-mile route gives you a good taste of the area's history as you’ll pass both Roman forts and World War II training trenches – and plenty more in between. 

Local tip: This route crosses the Otterburn Military Firing Ranges, so it's only open on non-firing days. It's really important to check the firing timetable before setting off.

Family-friendly cycling routes

The national park's wild landscapes lend themselves more to longer rides than to shorter family days out. Kielder Forest (see above) is probably the best destination for family cycling in Northumberland National Park, but there are a couple of great locations a little way outside the park's borders if you've got kids who are keen to get out on their bikes.

Wallington estate

Just to the east of Northumberland National Park, the 13,500-acre Wallington estate is a great place for a family day out, with wildlife ponds and four play areas to keep the kids amused. It’s also home to the family-friendly Dragon cycle trail, which runs through fields and woodland for a great taste of this fabulous countryside.

There are two versions of this trail to choose from: keep it short by following the mile-long (1.5 km) Green route, or take on the longer challenge of the three-mile (5 km) Blue route, which takes you further out into the estate and past a lovely picnic spot.

Local tip: You can hire adults' and kids' bikes at Wallington during the school holidays and on term-time weekends; no pre-booking required.

Druridge Bay Country Park

Over by the coast between Alnwick and Ashington, Druridge Bay Country Park is not in Northumberland National Park, but it's worth making the 20-minute drive for. This large park includes a 100-acre lake, a three-mile stretch of beach and varied landscapes of dunes, woods and meadows, so there's certainly plenty to explore. A network of trails runs through the park for cyclists and walkers, so you can decide on a short or longer ride to suit your own family.

Local tip: There are plenty of family-friendly facilities here, including a play area, a café, toilets and a visitor centre with a small exhibition. 

Cycling events in Northumberland National Park

Many people come to Northumberland National Park for the thrill of cycling on quiet crowd-free trails and roads, but if you’re keen for more of a sociable time, or fancy testing yourself, there are several cycling events you can sign up for in the park.

The Dirty Reiver

Using the extensive gravel path network around Kielder Water, the Dirty Reiver is the UK's biggest gravel bike ride event, with hundreds of riders gathering to join a very well-organised and popular event in the spring. There are three different distances to choose from (usually 65 km/130 km/200 km), with routes that change from year to year to keep things interesting. It’s not designed to be a race as such – there are no prizes or podium finishes – but riders can select different categories to ride in and will be given time results.

Learn more about what to expect from the Dirty Reiver in the comprehensive information booklet.

The Naughty Northumbrian

Remote, steep and full of challenges in wild terrain, the Naughty Northumbrian is devilish indeed – but it's also loads of fun for dedicated mountain bike enthusiasts. Over a long weekend in August, mountain bikers gather in an isolated corner of the Northumberland National Park for a high-octane event where you can go all in for a timed enduro event or sign up for a more casual loop ride (still a tough one, but without the added drama of the clock). Live music, beers, games and camping are all part of the festival-like atmosphere.

Tips for cycling in Northumberland National Park

Much of Northumberland National Park is fairly remote and with few people around – and while that’s a real bonus for seeing the scenery and enjoying the peace, it also means you may well be a long way from help should you need it. That means it's really important to be well prepared before setting off on bikes here, so you'll be able to stay safe and fix any problems along the way.

Seven cycling safety tips

• Give your bike a good check before setting off, making sure the tyres, brakes and gears are all working properly

• Carry a bike pump, spare tubes and repair kit to fix any problems while you're out

• Take a GPS device to help you keep on track, but be aware that reception can be patchy; an OS map or similar is a useful backup

• Wear a cycle helmet and high-vis clothing 

• Follow the Highway Code and Countryside Code, and keep an eye out for livestock or wildlife crossing your path

• Stick to designated roads and cycle paths to avoid damage to these fragile ecosystems

• Bring a small first-aid kit, plus plenty of snacks and water, as shops are few are far between

Make it happen

Time to get on your bike! The fabulous landscapes of Northumberland National Park are waiting for you to set off and explore, whether you're after a short family ride, a full day soaking up the scenery or a thrilling mountain bike trail. Make the most of your time here by booking a Northumberland campsite or glampsite – there are plenty to choose from, so you could choose one as a base or plan to do a tour, cycling between overnight stays. Where will your adventures take you?