The best cycling routes in Northumberland

Northumberland offers a vast network of touring cycling routes, with over 1300 routes available on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, including over 260 easy, 650 moderate, and 400 difficult options.

Northumberland's touring cycling routes traverse diverse landscapes. You can explore the dramatic scenery of the Northumberland National Park, the dense forests and vast reservoir of Kielder Water & Forest Park, and the stunning coastline of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Expect a mix of quiet roads, dedicated trails, rolling hills, and coastal paths.

Yes, Northumberland offers several family-friendly cycling options. The Northumberland National Park is ideal for family rides on its quiet roads. Kielder Water & Forest Park features the 26-mile multi-user Lakeside Way, which is suitable for families. An easy route like Warkworth Castle the East Chevington nature reserve loop (32.6 km) is also a great choice for a more relaxed ride.

Northumberland is rich in history and natural beauty. Along your rides, you can encounter Roman forts and sections of Hadrian's Wall, as seen on routes like the Hadrians Wall loop from Chollerford loop. The coastline features iconic castles such as Warkworth, Bamburgh, and Dunstanburgh, which you can pass on routes like The 2 Castles loop from Alnwick or From Alnmouth to Dunstanburgh Castle loop. For natural landmarks, consider visiting Simonside Summit or The Cheviot Summit.

Yes, many touring cycling routes in Northumberland are circular, offering convenient starting and ending points. Examples include the popular Kielder Lakeside Way around Kielder Water, the Newcastle and River tyne loop from Wylam, and the Amble and Ashington loop from Warkworth.

The touring cycling routes in Northumberland are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 1000 reviews. Reviewers often praise the region's stunning natural beauty, the variety of terrain, and the well-maintained paths, especially around Kielder Water and along the coast.

Northumberland is home to several significant long-distance cycling routes. The Hadrian's Cycleway (National Route 72) follows the Roman Wall, while the Coast & Castles Route extends along the coastline. The Sandstone Way offers a 120-mile mountain biking journey, and parts of the Pennine Cycleway and Reivers Cycle Route also pass through the region, providing extensive touring opportunities.

Absolutely. For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, Northumberland offers routes with significant elevation gain and longer distances. The Lakeside Way (70.7 km) in Kielder Forest is rated difficult, as is the Kielder Forest loop from Kielder Water (74.6 km) with over 1000m of ascent. The Cheviot Hills within Northumberland National Park also provide challenging upland roads.

Yes, the Northumberland Coast AONB offers exceptional coastal cycling. Routes like the North Sea Cycle Route: Bamburgh and Lucker Loop provide constantly changing views of the sea, dramatic landscapes, and expansive sandy beaches. The Coast & Castles Route also features 85 miles along this stunning coastline, passing fishing villages and iconic castles.

While Northumberland can be enjoyed year-round, the spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most favorable weather conditions for touring cycling, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. Autumn can also be beautiful with changing foliage, particularly in forested areas like Kielder.

Kielder Water & Forest Park is a prime destination for cycling, offering over 100 miles of waymarked, off-road routes. The most famous is the 26-mile multi-user Lakeside Way that encircles Kielder Water. For more challenging rides, you can find trails like Deadwater, Lonesome Pine, and Bloody Bush, which offer thrilling descents and panoramic views. You can find more detailed information on the Kielder website: visitkielder.com.

Northumberland National Park is a 'cyclist's dream' with quiet roads and dramatic scenery. It's ideal for both road cycling and family rides, and mountain bikers can explore purpose-built trails or bridleways. For more information on cycling within the park, you can visit their official website: northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk.