Kielder - Duke's Trail

Here you’ll find something for everyone: ancient woodland with ash, oak, alder, hazel and all the wildlife they bring - there’s even an adventure playground for the kids. You’ll discover a wealth of other exciting things to do off route too. Explore thought provoking sculptures; go on a Water Cruise; go camping; try windsurfing; make feathered friends at the Bird of Prey Centre or take a trip to nearby Otterburn Mill. Decisions, decisions.

START/PARKING

Kielder Castle.
OS Map Grid Reference NY632935

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

1. Start in the grounds of the 18th Century Kielder Castle, the former hunting lodge of the Duke of Northumberland, and the main centre for information about the forest. The Castle also houses a series of exhibitions about the forest and its wildlife, together with a gift shop and licensed restaurant.
2. Follow the trail around the adventure play area, passing Kielder Burn on your right.
3. A spur takes wheelchair users up Castle Hill. Walkers looking for a more challenging route can cross the Forest Drive, reaching Ravenshill Wood after a quarter of a mile.
4. Continue along the route through the ancient seminatural woodland of Ravenshill Wood which includes ash, oak, alder and hazel. There is a total of 25 hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland in Kielder Forest.
5. A gradual descent takes you close to Kielder Campsite, a picturesque 70 pitch camping and caravanning site in Kielder Village, before the forest road leads you back to Kielder Castle.