Cycling in Northumberland
Stunning remote and rugged scenery just down from the Scottish border promises MTB bikers rides to remember. Northumberland is the ideal county in which to spend a cycling holiday. With beautiful scenery, unspoiled countryside and a rich and colourful history to be explored, these are only matched by the very warm welcome given to all our visitors.
There is a long tradition of cycle touring in
Northumberland with the Cyclists' Touring Club's first District Association being
formed here over 100 years ago, way back in 1894.
Today, local cyclists still set out every Sunday to explore the vast array of virtually
traffic free lanes, forest roads and bridleways in this, possibly England's most
consistently beautiful County.
Generally, Northumberland provides excellent cycling because of the limited amount
of traffic on the minor roads, the many little towns and villages on route - each
with their own pubs and tea shops, and the lack of steep hills,
especially on the coast.
Even in the rolling Cheviot Hills, the slopes tend to be long and gentle rather than short and sharp. Cyclists may use all public roads, tracks, byways, paths and bridleways - but not public footpaths.
Bike Hire in Kielder
Adapted bikes for disabled (specialised cycle hire).
Wheels for All Bike Hire Centre
The Calvert Trust
Kielder Adventure Centre
Kielder
Type:
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Location:
Kielder 01434 250 232
Sustrans cycle route through Bellingham
The 68 route passes through Bellingham.
Route : To Berwick on Tweed from Appleby and Penrith.
Distance : Appleby to Berwick 150 miles. Penrith to Berwick 138 miles. 8 miles traffic free.
The route takes in some of the most spectacular landscapes and unspoiled countryside that England has to offer, including the Eden valley, the North Pennines and the Northumberland National Park. Passes over 60 tourist attractions and 85 towns and villages.
Purchase the Sustrans Pennine Cycleway (North) map from Sustrans.
6 circular, 1/2 day and full day leisure cycle routes available, free.
Day Rides.
The Mid Tyne Community Trust has produced two cycling guides comprising of 6 cycle routes, extending from Hexham to Bellingham in the North Tyne valley. The routes will be extended further to Falstone later this year.
Available from Tourist Information centres from March 2005, or free to download here.
The routes vary in length from 6 to 25 miles and are suitable for different ability groups. They link up, and use, existing nationally recognised cycle routes.
Humshaugh and Fourstones Cycle Routes.pdf (1.16MB new window)
Wark and Bellingham Cycle Routes.pdf (1.04MB new window)
More information on the Hadrian's Cycleway
Cycling at Kielder (see Kielder Water & Forest Park)
The 17 mile Kielder Water Cycle Circuit can cater for all levels if fitness. If you only want to do half of it then put your bike on the Osprey cruiser, sail half way round Kielder lake and then cycle back to base. (Easter to October).
The scenic route round Bull Crag peninsula offers many fine views over the lake, while the Border Railway trail follows the route of the Border Counties Railway from Kielder village to the Scottish border, dominated by the brooding presence of Deadwater Fell. Another circuit includes the stunning viewpoint of Cat Cairn above Kielder village, the site for James Turrell's artwork "Skyspace". Or you can visit the Neolithic burial cairn called 'Devils Lapful' on a moderate ride out from Kielder Castle. A choice of two Cross Border trails, one of moderate difficulty and one demanding, traverse the borders of both Cumbria and Scotland.
Cycle Hire, Repair and Wash facilities
A range of all-terrain bikes and other cycling equipment is available for hire from Kielder Bikes, Kielder Castle. Telephone 01434 250392. A bike repair service is also available.
The Bike Place in Kielder gives you the opportunity to explore Kielder's numerous and rapidly expanding mountain bike trails or leisurely routes with a wide range of high quality bikes for hire. Tel: 01434 250457.
Border Forest Cycle Hire
Operating cycle hire franchise (10 bikes) through Cycle Forest, Durham (started
summer 2004).
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Border Forest Cycle Hire
Border Forest Caravan Park
Cottonshopeburnfoot
Byrness 01830 520259
Bike Hire and repairs, Hexham
16/17 St Mary's Chare, Hexham.
Comprehensive cycle service including hiring, repairs and recovery. Daily and half
day hire of trailer bikes and mountain bikes. Hire prices: £15 per day for
mountain bikes, £10 for trailer bikes.
Tel: +44 (0)1434 601032
Guide to the UK National Cycle Network
www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk
Coordinators of the UK National Cycle Network
www.sustrans.org.uk
Free cycle maps available for Northumberland
Cycle North East England - Visit North East England, tel: 0870
160 1778
Belford Area Map - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065
Northumberland Cycle Web - YHA Customer Services, tel: 0800 0181930
Blyth Valley & Wansbeck Walking and Cycling Map - Concordia
Leisure Centre, tel: 01670 717423
Bellingham Tourist Information Centre (Pennine
Way (North) Stamping Point)
Main Street, Bellingham
Tel: 01434 220643