National Cycle Network Routes
Coast & Castles Cycle Route
Part of National Cycle Network Route 1, the Coast and Castles
Route runs along the Northumberland Coast between Tynemouth and
Berwick upon Tweed, entering the County at Seaton Sluice. The route
is highly scenic but relatively flat, which makes it very
attractive for many cyclists. It takes in many attractions en
route, including the castles at Warkworth, Bamburgh and
Dunstanburgh, Druridge Bay Country Park, the Holy Island of
Lindisfarne and Woodhorn Museum.
For more information visit the Coast & Castles
Website.
The Coast and Castles route also forms part of the North Sea
Cycle Route, which passess through the Netherlands, Germany,
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England. Further details are
available at www.northsea-cycle.com
Hadrian's Cycleway
This 150 mile coast to coast route between the
Cumbrian coast and the North Sea follows the line of Hadrian's
Wall, bringing you into contact with numerous Roman sites, forts
and museums. In Northumberland the route runs along the picturesque
Tyne Valley between Gilsland and Wylam.
For more information visit the Hadrian's Cycleway
website.
The
Hadrian's Wall website has further details and information
about the area, including a series of circular day rides.
Pennine Cycleway
National Cycle Network Route 68, the Pennine Cycleway, runs from
Derby to Berwick upon Tweed, entering Northumberland via the South
Tyne Valley. The route takes in some of Northumberland's most
stunning scenery. After leaving the North Pennines at Haltwhistle
the route crosses Hadrian's Wall, then passes through Kielder
Forest and the National Park. The route continues through the
southern Cheviot Hills and ends at the historic border town of
Berwick.
For more information visit the Pennine
Cycleway Website.
Reivers Cycle Route
This challenging route runs from Tynemouth to
Whitehaven via Kielder Water and the northern fringes of the Lake
District. It enters Northumberland at Ponteland before heading
north west to Kielder via Bellingham.
For more information visit the Reivers Cycle Route
website.
Cycling at Kielder
Kielder Forest, the largest forest in Britain, surrounds Kielder
Water, the largest man-made lake in Europe, creating a spectacular
environment for outdoor enthusiasts. The area is one of England's
premier mountain biking areas with 13 way-marked trails which vary
from easy to demanding. The 27-mile Lakeside Way is a new path
around the lake, giving access to stunning views and abundant
wildlife. Numerous shorter routes are also available. Details are
available from the visitor centres or visit www.visitkielder.com
Cycle Hubs
Cycling Hubs in Haltwhistle and Wooler are now established. For
more information and route maps visit www.visitnorthumberland.com/activities/cycling/cycle-hubs
Mountain Biking
The Deadwater Trails in Kielder Forest are amongst the best
singletrack trails in England and offer some of the finest views in
the county. The Red Trail is the highest in England, climbing to
1900ft (580m) or try the extremely challenging Black Trail. For
details visit the Kielder website.
Elsewhere in Northumberland mountain biking is available on
Hexhamshire Common, south west of Hexham with a good base in
Allendale, and in the Cheviot Hills to the south west of Wooler,
with good bases in Alwinton and Harbottle in upper Coquetdale.
Cycle Journey Planner
An online journey planning tool is available to help cyclists
plan journeys by bike.
Click here to go to the Cycle Journey Planner.
Further Information
More information on cycling & mountain biking in Northumberland
is available here (including downloadable day rides). The
Northumberland National Park website provides more information
on cycling in and around the National Park, including routes in
Wark Forest and the mid-Tyne area.
Information about cycling in the wider North East region is
available here.
Organised Rides
The CTC organise regular cycle rides every
Tuesday, departing at 10.30am from Merton Hall in Ponteland. Rides
average 35-50 miles with a stop for lunch at a cafe or pub, usually
returning to Ponteland by 4pm, though riders may opt to leave
the group earlier. The pace is easy and no one is left
behind.
During the months April to September
inclusive, on the last Tuesday in each month the group arranges an
“awayday” when, instead of cycling from Ponteland the group meets
at another location. This is made known to regular cyclists
on the previous Tuesday. Any new or casual attenders should
phone Rod Robson for details of the particular
location.
For more details go to www.tynesidectc.org.uk or
telephone Rod Robson on 07941 947 498 or
Heather Evans on 0191 273 8042.
The CTC also have a database of
cycle route leaflets available across the UK and Ireland, on a
county by county basis, including Northumberland. All details are
updated annually.
Barnesbury CC
The Barnesbury CC is a British Cycling Go Ride cycling club
based around SE Northumberland. We were established in 1923 and
celebrate 90 years in 2013. Every keen cyclist regardless of age or
ability should be part of the social events and activities of a
club. Whether you intend to race, tour or just potter through the
Northumberland country lanes on a Saturday or Sunday morning you
will meet like-minded people with similar interests at our
club.
The club aims at “developing your cycling
potential” and we have riders with a wide variety of interests
including road, time trials, cyclo-cross, MTB, BMX and track
riding. The club also organises Saturday morning off road coaching
sessions at Gallagher Park, Bedlington for youngsters aged under 16
years old which includes BMX and mountain biking sessions. Please
see www.barnesbury-cc.co.uk for more
information about the club, our activity and how to get
involved.
