We asked cycling holiday specialists Saddle Skedaddle to share their top routes for exploring the Northumberland National Park by bike. Based in Newcastle and with 30 years of experience in crafting holidays around the world, they run tours in Northumberland, Europe and beyond.
Northumberland is our local cycling playground, and we think it’s a brilliant place to explore by bike. As the sixth largest county in England, yet the least densely populated, it doesn’t take a lot of pedalling before you feel like you’ve escaped into the wilderness. The quiet country lanes are perfect for cycling, and for those who like to take their riding off-road, there are endless trails criss-crossing beautiful valleys of the Northumberland National Park.
There are so many incredible routes to explore in Northumberland but these are our three favourite long-distance cycling routes that skirt through the Northumberland National Park. Covering a mix of cycling types – leisurely, mountain biking and gravel riding, there is something for all kinds of riders to enjoy. Plus, we’ve shared some tips on planning your perfect Northumberland cycling holiday.
Hadrian’s Cycleway – Leisure Cycling
Best for: An achievable coast to coast challenge offering fascinating Roman history
Trace the northern frontier of the Roman Empire on a coast-to-coast journey from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast to Tynemouth on the North Sea. This is a great alternative to the classic C2C (Coast-to-Coast) route, with fewer steep hills.
Using a combination of National Cycle Network routes, quiet roads and traffic-free paths, you’ll journey through wonderfully scenic landscapes of rolling countryside, peaceful river valleys and gorgeous coastal stretches.
Along the way, you can immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Cumbria and Northumberland, with time to admire the historic Birdoswald and Vindolanda Roman Forts. Don’t forget to wave as you cycle past Skedaddle’s HQ at the Cycle Hub on Newcastle’s quayside (and if you are feeling the need for a little boost, the HUB does a great coffee!). On reaching the coast at Tynemouth, we think there is nothing better than celebrating your achievements with some well-earned fish ‘n’ chips.
Route details:
Distance: 160 miles / 258Km (or choose a shorter 100-mile route from Bowness-on-Solway)
Duration: Choose 3, 4 or 6 riding days
Best for: Hybrid or gravel bikes
Difficulty: 2-3/5, gentle to moderately challenging depending on the duration you choose
Tour options:
Sandstone Way – Mountain Biking
Best for: A varied and rewarding off-road adventure north to south
This celebrated long-distance trail through the heart of Northumberland will take you from the historic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed to the pretty market town of Hexham. This is a classic cross-country mountain biking adventure that follows a mix of dirt tracks, flowing singletrack, bridleways, byways and quiet country roads snaking through some of England’s most remote and unspoilt landscapes.
Over three riding days, you’ll enjoy the changing scenery from sweeping coastal views to the rolling hills of the Northumberland National Park, expansive forests and open moorland, with highlights including the Breamish Valley and the crossing of Hadrian’s Wall.
Historic sites include distant views of Lindisfarne Castle, riding past St Cuthbert’s Cave and the ghostly Chillingham Castle and Winter’s Gibbet.
Route details:
Distance: 117 miles / 188Km
Duration: 4 days (3 riding days)
Best for: mountain bikes
Difficulty: 3/5 moderately challenging for regular cyclists with off-road experience
Tour options:
Reivers Trails – Gravel Riding
Best for: Remote trails deep in the Northumberland National Park
In the heart of the Northumberland National Park lies a vast network of forest trails that make this a gravel riding haven. The Reiver Trails are a growing collection of way-marked routes that extend from Kielder Water & Forest Park through the wild and historic borderlands between Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish Borders.
This isn’t a single point-to-point or circular route, but the range of options makes this destination an amazing place for a gravel riding holiday. The Skedaddle version is a mixture of loop rides and point-to-point rides that wind through England’s largest forest, over moorland bridleways and along ancient drove roads.
Highlights include epic views across Kielder Water, a ‘border raid’ to Newcastleton in Scotland, discovering the turbulent history of the Debatable Lands, osprey spotting in Kielder and stargazing in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.
Route details:
Distance: 213 miles / 342Km
Duration: 7 days (5 riding days)
Best for: Gravel bikes
Difficulty: 3/5, moderately challenging gravel ride suitable for experienced off-road cyclists
Tour options:
Expert tips on planning your Northumberland cycling holiday
We’ve been organising cycling holidays for over 30 years, so we know everything that’s required to ensure a seamless and stress-free bike trip (more on that below).
But for those unfamiliar and looking to head out on your bike to explore Northumberland by bike, then there are a few things to consider before setting off:
What is the best way to navigate?
We like to pre-download GPX files and use an app like Ride with GPS for turn-by-turn navigation. Our own files include useful information, facilities and points of interest along the way. When you’re out in remote parts of Northumberland, you might not always have phone signal so it’s a good idea to have everything downloaded in advance and carry a back-up paper map.
What packing essentials do you need?
· Wicking layers to keep you warm and dry
· A good waterproof
· Suncream, insect repellent and chamois cream
· Electrolytes and snacks (we like to pack a banana, nuts and dried fruit)
· Travel wash to keep your kit fresh
· Bike spares and basic tools to repair a puncture, your chain etc.
If you’re organising your own tour, you’ll need to think carefully about what to pack to keep the weight to a minimum. On Skedaddle tours, your luggage is transferred each day for you so you can bring plenty of spare clothing and an extra pair of shoes.
Bringing an e-bike?
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular and now make up more than half of our bike hires across the UK. The hybrid e-bikes we use for our leisure trips and the e-MTBs we use for our mountain biking tours all have enough power and battery range to last each day’s ride (provided you use them efficiently!).
If you’re planning your own tour on an e-bike, you’ll need to check the range against your daily distance and elevation, and make sure you have somewhere to charge the battery at night. We use cycle-friendly accommodation so there is always somewhere safe to store your bike at night, and you can remove your battery and charge it in your room.
When is the best time of year to go?
We recommend late spring through to early autumn for the best weather and trail conditions. Peak holiday times in the summer can become busier in some popular tourist spots, but on the whole, the Northumberland National Park is quiet compared to other National Parks like the Lake District and the Peak District.
Thinking about a late summer or early Autumn tour for this year? It’s not too late to plan something last minute! Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss options.
See all cycling holidays in Northumberland
Choosing a guided or self-guided tour
Self-guided holidays with Skedaddle are a great option if you want to plan a getaway with your friends and family but don’t want the hassle of organising the logistics and carrying your luggage.
Guided and supported group holidays are perfect if you’re looking for the extra support of a guide and a group of like-minded cyclists. Plus, on our group tours you’ll enjoy delicious picnic lunches and scenic snack stops prepped by our guides. The support vehicle is never too far away if you need to grab something from your day bag.
Next steps
You can see the full range of Skedaddle holidays here. If you’ve got a question, then call 0191 265 1110 to chat to our friendly team.
