4.5
(89)
430
riders
11
rides
Mountain biking around Edmondbyers offers diverse landscapes within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The terrain features open moorland, patchwork farmland, and woodland, often incorporating old lead mining routes. Riders can expect varied elevations, from gentle paths around Derwent Reservoir to more challenging climbs towards summits like Bolt's Law. The area provides a mix of singletrack and doubletrack sections, with some trails featuring fells, valleys, and occasional fords.
Last updated: April 28, 2026
4.4
(14)
73
riders
39.8km
03:21
730m
730m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.3
(4)
28
riders
26.5km
02:12
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.5
(8)
20
riders
19.1km
01:10
150m
150m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(5)
17
riders
25.2km
01:52
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
8
riders
28.7km
02:14
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Picturesque little village on the border of Northumberland and County Durham.
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Fantastic views across open moorland in ever direction, definitely worth a visit.
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Fantastic if you love being out in the open fells, great views in every direction and you are most certainly going to have it all to yourself.
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Crossing Blanchland Moor is a great experience if you enjoy wide open landscapes. The scenery is rugged and peaceful with big skies and miles of moorland. A brilliant place to hike and enjoy the quiet of the Northumberland countryside.
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A little gem of a reservoir definitely worth a visit.
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Smashing track linking Bolt Law and Parkhead, but is quite deeply rutted in places, so beware pedals clashing with the sides
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James - sorry - just noticed the question; a number of options - the full route is from Consett - Hownsgill car park (Morrisons - but watch the duration - I think you have 7 hours before fines kick in); you can park at Rowley, Healeyfiled or Waskerley and work your way back to any of those reasonably easily; one thing to watch is that they've not put a sign up to stop you taking the link from the C3C to the bridleway that takes you over Bolt's Law - it was never really public access but cuts out a lot of riding; just bear in mind you might get turned round. Another option is to park up on Meadow's Edge where the bridleways cross the road.
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Went North to South, had a fair old headwind which was tricky. The stones are fairly big in places and some soft loamy sand sections. I rode on 2.1" tyres, could be interesting on narrower gravel bike widths
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The mountain biking trails around Edmondbyers offer a good mix of difficulty levels. You'll find 4 easy routes, perfect for beginners or a relaxed ride, and 7 moderate routes that provide more challenge with varied terrain and elevation changes. There are no routes classified as difficult in this specific guide, making it accessible for a wide range of riders.
Yes, for families or those seeking a less strenuous ride, the area offers easy routes. A great option is the Pow Hill Country Park – Derwent Reservoir loop from Edmundbyers. This 19.3 km (12 miles) route is classified as easy, making it suitable for a pleasant outing with varied terrain around the reservoir.
Many of the mountain bike routes around Edmondbyers are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. For example, the Parkhead Station Café – Edmundbyers loop from Burnhope Burn SSSI is a popular moderate 26.5 km (16.5 miles) circular trail that showcases the diverse landscapes of the North Pennines.
The terrain around Edmondbyers is quite varied, reflecting its location within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You'll encounter open moorland, patchwork farmland, and woodlands. Many trails incorporate old lead mining routes, offering a glimpse into the region's history. Expect a mix of singletrack and doubletrack sections, with fells, valleys, and occasional fords, especially on moderate routes.
Yes, the area around Edmondbyers is rich in natural beauty. You can find features like the Slitt Wood Waterfalls. Additionally, many routes offer expansive views, including the View of Derwent Reservoir, and you might pass by significant points like the Bolts Law Trig Point, which provides panoramic vistas.
The best seasons for mountain biking in the North Pennines, including Edmondbyers, are generally spring and summer. During these months, the weather is typically milder and drier, making for more enjoyable trail conditions. The moorlands are particularly vibrant with wild heather in late summer.
While this guide focuses on easy and moderate routes, the moderate trails can offer a good challenge. For instance, the Blanchland Moor – Bolt's Law summit loop from Pow Hill Bog is a moderate 39.8 km (24.8 miles) route with significant climbs and rewarding views from Bolt's Law summit, suitable for riders with good fitness.
The mountain biking routes in Edmondbyers are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 80 reviews. Riders often praise the varied landscapes, the quiet nature of the trails, and the rewarding views, especially those around Derwent Reservoir and from elevated points like Bolt's Law.
Absolutely. The Derwent Reservoir is a central feature of the area and many mountain bike routes incorporate its shoreline. You can find multi-user paths directly along the reservoir, and other routes combine these with quiet local roads to create longer circuits. The Blanchland Moor – Derwent Reservoir loop from Edmundbyers is a moderate 28.7 km (17.8 miles) option that takes in both moorland and reservoir views.
Yes, the North Pennines region has a rich history, particularly related to lead mining. Many trails follow old mining routes, offering a historical dimension to your ride. You might also encounter remnants of this industrial past, such as the Sikehead Dam and the Jeffrey Smelt Mill chimney, providing interesting points of exploration amidst the natural landscapes.
Many routes in Edmondbyers provide expansive views, especially those that climb to higher elevations or traverse open moorland. The Derwent Reservoir – Bolt's Law summit loop from Edmundbyers, for example, is a moderate 25.2 km (15.7 miles) trail that leads through moorland and past the reservoir, culminating in panoramic vistas from Bolt's Law summit.


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