Brackenhill is a region centered around the Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve in County Durham, UK, characterized by its steep, wooded hillsides that descend to a winding stream. This area features extensive ancient woodlands with diverse tree species like ash, hawthorn, and oak, alongside rare Magnesian Limestone grassland habitats. The varied terrain and natural settings make Brackenhill suitable for several outdoor sports, including touring cycling, road cycling, hiking, and jogging.
Brackenhill offers numerous routes for…
43
Routes
4.6
(17)
Average rating
492
People visited

6
riders
28.4km
01:50
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
4
riders
30.5km
01:59
140m
140m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
50.3km
03:09
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
55
riders
73.2km
04:15
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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64
riders
70.9km
02:55
310m
310m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

56
riders
50.4km
02:06
250m
250m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

17
riders
65.4km
02:52
450m
450m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

18
riders
55.9km
02:30
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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24
runners
5.15km
00:32
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
runners
7.20km
00:45
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
14.8km
01:33
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
5.72km
00:36
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
18
hikers
10.1km
02:34
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
17
hikers
5.09km
01:17
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
8
hikers
4.69km
01:19
90m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
7
hikers
1.25km
00:19
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Brackenhill refers to the Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in County Durham, UK. It is a 37-acre (15-hectare) area characterized by steep, wooded hillsides, ancient woodlands, and Magnesian Limestone grassland habitats.
Brackenhill offers opportunities for hiking and jogging within the nature reserve. The wider County Durham area provides extensive networks for touring cycling and road cycling. Komoot users have rated activities in Brackenhill an average of 4.45 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve features two main paths for hiking. One path has a hard, unsealed surface with some large stones, while the other is bare earth. Both paths are approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide and include slopes and steps throughout the site.
While Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve is primarily suited for walkers, the broader County Durham region offers extensive cycling opportunities. This includes more than 330 miles (543 km) of bridleways, 28 miles (45 km) of byways, and over 93 miles (150 km) of railway paths. For specific routes, refer to the Cycling around Brackenhill guide.
Touring cycling and road cycling are popular in the region surrounding Brackenhill. The area features well-known routes like the Great North Cycleway and the South Durham Orbital Cycle Route. These networks cater to various cycling experiences, from leisure rides to challenging tours.
Yes, there are options for easier hikes around Brackenhill. The terrain within the Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve includes varied paths. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes around Brackenhill guide.
Brackenhill is known for its ancient woodlands, which have existed since before the 1600s and feature diverse trees like ash, hawthorn, hazel, willow, and oak. It also contains a rare Magnesian Limestone grassland habitat. The reserve supports wildlife such as foxes, badgers, squirrels, and various woodland birds.
Brackenhill is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 1,600 visitors sharing their experiences. Activities in the region have received an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Brackenhill, including Cycling around Brackenhill, Road Cycling Routes around Brackenhill, Hiking around Brackenhill, Running Trails around Brackenhill, and Easy hikes around Brackenhill.
Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve is managed by Durham County Council. For general inquiries related to nature reserves and countryside services, the Durham County Council's Countryside Service can be reached at 0191 372 9100. The general inquiry number for Durham County Council is 03000 26 0000.
Yes, Bracken Hill Local Nature Reserve provides suitable terrain for jogging. The reserve features paths through ancient woodlands and grassland. For more detailed information on routes, refer to the Running Trails around Brackenhill guide.
The South Durham Orbital Cycle Route is a challenging 54-mile route located in the wider County Durham area. It incorporates sections of National Cycle Networks, railway paths, and on-road sections, offering a diverse cycling experience.

