The Best Walks in Northumberland National Park

With Hadrian’s Wall walks, 62 miles of coastline, Kielder Forest and the Cheviot Hills, it’s safe to say that Northumberland is a scenic spot for walkers. The sheer variety of this corner of north-east England makes it a haven for outdoor holidays, whether you’re looking for walking routes to explore or other things to do in Northumberland. 

This page is dedicated to our favourite places to walk in Northumberland, from heritage trails to waterfall walks. And while Northumberland National Park doesn’t extend all the way to the coast, we’ll also mention some of our favourite seaside walks in and around the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

Northumberland’s top three walks

1. Sycamore Gap 

Start/end point: The Sill Discovery Centre car park 

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)

Located roughly halfway between the attractive market towns of Hexham and Brampton, this iconic walk is one of the most popular in Northumberland. With a trail that is easy and signposted all the way, this hour-long route explores one of the most scenic parts of Hadrian’s Wall and has several stunning views over the surrounding landscape. (While the famous Sycamore Gap tree is sadly no longer there, there is hope that its stump may regrow.)

If you’re enjoying the walk and want to keep going, you can add another half hour or so to your stroll by continuing east, passing the Roman fort and heading down to admire the waters and woodlands of Crag Lough. 

Find more information and a route map on the national park website.

2. Hareshaw Linn

Start/end point: Hareshaw Linn car park

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)

This wonderful waterfall walk starts and ends just outside Bellingham, where there is a small free car park with convenient access to the path (arrive early to make sure you get a space). The walk runs through a Site of Special Scientific Interest alongside the peaceful waters of Hareshaw Burn, which is an important habitat for local wildlife. With plant species including rare ferns and mosses and animals like red squirrels, bats and woodpeckers, there's a lot to enjoy before you reach the waterfall itself. When you arrive at the linn, after crossing six bridges to get there, take a moment to admire the nine-metre high waterfall before heading back towards Bellingham and the car park. 

If you want a longer walk, it's also possible to park in the village and take the riverside Hareshaw Iron Works Trail past several smaller waterfalls up to Hareshaw Linn. This roughly doubles the amount of time it takes to complete the walk. 

Use an app like AllTrails or Komoot to download this route to your device. 

3. Warkworth Castle and the river Coquet

Start/end point: Medieval bridge in Warkworth

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)

Take a two-mile stroll along the river Coquet in the historic village of Warkworth on a great trail that anyone interested in history will enjoy. Starting and ending at the village's medieval two-arched bridge, you'll pass through the bridge's stone gateway before continuing on past a handsome Norman church and Warkworth Castle (entry fees apply if you want to go and look inside). Enjoy the combination of river and castle views as you continue through woodlands, then complete the loop so you end up back at the same bridge where you started.

Extending your walk to visit the beach will add about an extra mile and a half (about 40 minutes' walk) to your trip. If you've still got energy, you can also carry on down the coast as far as Amble North Pier, where there are stunning views over Coquet Island and its lighthouse. 

Find out more about visiting Warkworth and its castle on the English Heritage website. A GPS route and map can be found at the GPS routes website.

Other walks in and around Northumberland National Park

Coastal walks

Druridge Bay Country Park

Druridge Bay Country Park has a fantastic combination of countryside and coast. Whether you opt for a one-hour stroll spotting birds around Ladyburn Lake or a longer walk through the dunes, there’s plenty to see and do here for all ages and abilities. Some of the paths are accessible to pushchairs, and there's a visitor centre, café, toilet block, play area and large car park to help you make the most of your visit. 

Check out opening times, facilities and other details on Northumberland County Council’s website.

Lindisfarne Circular

This 4.3-mile (7 km) walk around Holy Island takes about two or three hours to complete and allows you to explore Lindisfarne’s many historic and scenic highlights in a single easy loop. Don’t be overwhelmed by the large numbers of cars you see at the island’s car park – most of these visitors will be heading straight for the castle, and the majority of the circular walk is peaceful (so much so, in fact, that you stand a good chance of seeing seabirds, deer and seals along the way). Some of the walk passes through sand dunes, so the path isn’t always immediately clear, but the route is generally well signposted and easy to follow. 

Visit the Walking Britain website for a full route map.

Family-friendly walks

Kielder Forest

Located close to the Scottish border, Kielder Forest is the largest manmade forest in England, with a wide range of trails suitable for all abilities. There are various short loops ranging from 1.2 to over five miles in length, all of which are waymarked and on easy paths that kids should be able to cope with.

The nearby village of Kielder also has a maze that kids will enjoy, so family forest walks are often combined with visits to the village. Trips to gorgeous Bakethin reservoir (a couple of miles to the south) can also be added in for a full day of outdoor family fun. 

Forestry England’s website has more detailed information about family-friendly walks in Kielder Forest. 

Hexham history trails

The market town of Hexham has a range of history trails, the shortest of which is just half a mile in length. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring highlights like the Old Gaol, the riverside Tyne Green Country Park and the majestic Hexham Abbey, which has stood on this site in some form since the 7th century. There are plenty of benches and picnic benches dotted around for little legs that need a rest, as well as several spots to grab an ice cream or hot drink. 

For a full range of walks in and around the town, check out the Visit Hexham website.

Waterside walks

River Beamish Valley

The Beamish Valley is an often-overlooked part of the Cheviot Hills that runs along the pretty Beamish river and is home to lots of footpaths. Highlights of this great walking area include Linhope Spout, a 18-metre-high waterfall, plus several ancient forts dating from the Stone and Bronze Ages and peaceful hillside landscapes.

The nearby village of Ingram has a visitor centre where you can pick up maps and tips from the locals before setting off into the valley. Both car parks in the Beamish Valley have toilets, and it's also possible to park and picnic on the grasslands along the side of the road (but please be considerate and don't block any farm gates or access routes). 

For a PDF map of Beamish Valley and its walking routes, visit the national park’s website.

Greenlee Lough

Greenlee Lough is one of the largest bodies of water in Northumberland National Park and is made up of a mix of rare habitats. With various waterside routes and wildlife spotting opportunities to discover, the area is great for walkers looking for a peaceful stroll with lots of nature. 

The recommended circular route is just under four miles in length and will take an hour and a half to two hours to complete. Start by following the trail over the boardwalk past the lough, stopping off at the bird hide along the way. Next, continue through the hay meadows and woodlands before heading back to the car park. 

Get information about access, local bylaws and species that live here via the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. 

Need more ideas for places to go walking in Northumberland? The Northumberland National Park website has a wide range of routes covering all areas, from the Cheviot Hills to Coquetdale, Redesdale and Hadrian’s Wall. 

Looking for longer and more challenging excursions on foot? Pitchup’s guide to hiking in Northumberland is here to help. 

Finally, when it comes to finding somewhere to stay, Pitchup has a wide range of camping pitches, touring parks, lodges and glamping sites to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for accommodation within the boundaries of Northumberland National Park or are happy to explore camping and glamping across the whole county, have a look to see what's available for your dates.