The best MTB trails in Northumberland

Mountain biking the Kielder Water Lakeside Way takes you on a 26.1-mile (42.1 km) loop around Northern Europe's largest man-made lake, set within England's largest forest. This moderate route, typically completed in 3 hours and 28 minutes with 1313 feet (400 metres) of elevation gain, offers varied terrain from gravel and paved sections to unpaved paths and singletrack. You will ride past extensive woodlands and the vast Kielder Water shoreline, encountering unique outdoor art installations along the way, like the Kielder Viaduct section which follows an old railway trackbed.

While generally accessible for families and intermediate cyclists, be prepared for an undulating course, especially on the north side, where steep and winding gravel tracks can challenge your fitness. The trail is multi-user, welcoming walkers, horse riders, and adaptive bikes, making it inclusive for many visitors. If you prefer assistance on the inclines, electric-assisted bikes are available for hire, ensuring a more manageable experience.

Beyond the ride, the Kielder Water Lakeside Way is notable for its setting within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities. You will cross the impressive Kielder Dam and discover various art and architecture installations, such as the Belvedere shelter. The route also serves as a gateway to more advanced mountain biking experiences, connecting to trails like Lonesome Pine and the Deadwater trails, which offer red and black graded options.

Embark on the Blanchard Moor & Edmundbyers Common loop, a moderate mountain biking adventure spanning 17.8 miles (28.7 km) with a total elevation gain of 1419 feet (432 metres). You will navigate diverse terrain, from open moorland tracks to old lead mining routes, enjoying expansive views across the North Pennines. Look out for the prominent Jeffries and Sikehead chimneys, historical markers that punctuate the wild beauty of Blanchland Moor, making for a rewarding ride that takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes to complete.

This challenging route demands good fitness and advanced riding skills, so be prepared for steep climbs and descents. You might encounter boggy ground, especially on moorland sections, and may even need to push your bike at times. While specific parking details are not provided, the area is generally accessible for outdoor activities, but always check local conditions before you head out.

The trail offers a deep dive into the historical landscape of the North Pennines, a region rich with lead mining heritage. As you ride, you will trace paths used by miners of old, experiencing the rugged environment that shaped their lives. This loop stands out for its blend of natural beauty and industrial history, providing a unique perspective on the area's past.

Embark on a mountain biking adventure through the Simonside & Whitefield Hill loop from Rothbury, a moderate route that spans 19.7 miles (31.8 km) with an elevation gain of 1844 feet (562 metres). You will experience a diverse landscape, from fast forestry roads to challenging rocky singletrack climbs and sections of peat bog. As you reach the summit of Simonside, you are rewarded with a sweeping 360-degree panorama, offering views of the Cheviot Hills, the Coquet valley, and even the distant North Sea. This ride, estimated to take around 2 hours and 52 minutes, promises a varied and engaging experience for those with good fitness.

Planning your visit requires you to be prepared for a demanding ride, as some sections may even require you to push your bike. The flagged path along the top of Simonside, while scenic, is a challenging haul up and can become difficult if icy. Be aware that the main footpath along the Simonside ridge is popular with walkers; cycling on it, especially on weekends, is generally discouraged by National Park rangers. Ensure you have advanced riding skills to tackle the varied terrain effectively.

This route takes you through the beautiful Northumberland National Park, known for its distinctive sandstone formations that add character to the landscape. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as red grouse and wild goats, as you navigate the trails. The heather moors are particularly vibrant and beautiful when they are in full bloom during late summer and early autumn, offering a spectacular backdrop to your ride.

The Kielder Deadwater MTB Trail in Kielder Forest offers a challenging mountain biking experience, featuring varied terrain and purpose-built singletrack. This moderate route covers 7.1 miles (11.4 km) with a significant elevation gain of 1363 feet (416 metres), typically taking around 1 hour and 28 minutes to complete. You will encounter swooping singletrack, rocky sections, and fire roads, all designed for proficient to expert riders. The trail culminates at the summit of Deadwater Fell, providing expansive 360-degree views across the landscape, a well-earned reward after the climb.

This trail system caters to experienced mountain bikers, with both red and black-graded options available. The red-graded Deadwater Fell trail requires good off-roading skills and moderate fitness, while the black-graded "Up and Over" trail is more physically demanding, featuring larger drops and technical elements. Consider a full suspension bike and a full-face helmet for the black sections. The newer "Deadwater Mile Down" trail combines red and upgraded black sections, offering berms, jumps, and rock gardens for an exciting, progressive ride.

What makes this trail particularly notable is its setting within Kielder Forest, England's largest forest, and the exceptional views from Deadwater Fell, which sits on the English-Scottish border. From the summit, you can see south Scotland, the Lake District, Northumberland, and even the North Sea on a clear day. The specially constructed singletrack descent back to Kielder Castle is packed with features, ensuring a thrilling ride. Local riders and volunteer groups have played a key role in developing and maintaining these trails, making them a highlight for mountain bikers.

Embark on the Ingram & Rothbury loop, a difficult mountain biking adventure spanning 50.8 miles (81.7 km) with a substantial 3923 feet (1196 metres) of elevation gain. This challenging route, typically taking around 6 hours and 15 minutes, winds through Northumberland's Coquet Valley, offering diverse terrain from unpaved paths and singletracks to gravel sections and quiet country lanes. You'll navigate expansive woodlands, wild moorland, and river valleys, with steep gravel climbs near Rothbury and sections of loose rock. The Simonside Hills are a prominent feature, providing panoramic views and unique sandstone formations, often displaying a purple carpet of heather in late summer.

This demanding loop requires very good fitness and advanced riding skills; be prepared for continuous ascents and descents that can be more tiring than anticipated, with some sections possibly requiring you to push your bike. While the core Sandstone Way is generally well-waymarked, some variations on this route might demand additional navigational skills. The trail can also become boggy after wet weather, so check conditions before you go. Charming villages like Rothbury offer amenities for riders, making them good points for resupply or a break.

The Ingram & Rothbury loop is a popular choice among local mountain bikers and forms a significant part of the wider Sandstone Way, a 120-mile (193 km) route designed to connect numerous sandstone features across Northumberland. As you ride, keep an eye out for wildlife such as wild goats and red grouse. The area is also rich in history, with notable points of interest including the Lordenshaw Hillfort and ancient "cup and ring" stones near Simonside, adding a cultural layer to your ride through this picturesque landscape.

Embark on the Bellingham & Hexham loop on the Sandstone Way, a challenging mountain biking adventure through Northumberland's varied landscape. You will navigate double-width dirt tracks, sections of singletrack, unsurfaced lanes, and bridleways, alongside byways and quiet minor roads. This difficult 39.4 miles (63.4 km) route features 2957 feet (901 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 4 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Expect to cycle through rolling countryside, past picturesque villages, and skirt the edge of the Northumberland National Park.

This hard mountain bike ride demands very good fitness and advanced riding skills, with some sections potentially requiring you to push your bike due to technical difficulty. A good quality mountain bike is essential, as hybrid or cyclo-cross bikes may struggle on the rougher, rocky parts. Be prepared for potentially boggy sections after wet weather and areas with nettles and brambles. The research does not specify trailhead access, parking, or public transport details, so plan your logistics carefully before you go.

This loop is part of the broader 120-mile (193 km) Sandstone Way, designed for mountain bikers to explore Northumberland's sandstone features. As you ride, you can stop at

Get ready for a challenging mountain biking adventure on the Usway Burn Trail & Windy Gyle loop from Harbottle. This difficult route spans 27.9 miles (44.8 km) with a significant 3197 feet (974 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will traverse the rugged Cheviot Hills, encountering smooth singletrack along the Usway Burn, past charming stone sheepfolds and waterfalls. Prepare for long moorland climbs on the way to Windy Gyle, where the terrain can be peaty and soft, before enjoying a fast, smooth grassy descent.

This extensive loop requires very good fitness and advanced riding skills, as some sections may even require you to push your bike. The trail is consistently rated as a hard mountain bike ride, reflecting its demanding nature and the varied surfaces you will encounter. While the route is remote, the Star Inn in Harbottle serves as a convenient starting point and an official Information Point for Northumberland National Park, offering amenities for cyclists.

This trail is the most popular mountain bike route around Harbottle, offering consistently stunning views across the Cheviots. From the summit of Windy Gyle, standing at 2,031 feet (619 meters), you can see expansive vistas stretching all the way to Cumbria on clear days. The summit also features Russell's Cairn, a Bronze Age burial marker, and marks the border between England and Scotland, adding a historical touch to your ride through this isolated frontier landscape.

Embark on the Wark Forest loop from Stonehaugh, a moderate mountain biking adventure through Northumberland National Park. This 17.9-mile (28.9 km) route features 1158 feet (353 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes to complete. You will navigate predominantly forest gravel roads, with some tarmac sections, experiencing an undulating ride through dense woodlands and open countryside. Keep an eye out for views towards Hopealone from higher points, and on clear days, you might even glimpse the Solway Firth or the Lake District. Be prepared for varied conditions, including potential waterlogging or slippery rock sections.

Stonehaugh serves as an excellent starting point for your ride, offering convenient free parking. You will also find an environmentally friendly composting toilet, a picnic area, and even a Stargazing Pavilion there, making it a great base for a day out. While the trail is generally well-maintained, some sections might require advanced riding skills or even dismounting and walking, especially on tougher climbs or challenging terrain. Always be aware of your surroundings and any recent weather impacts.

This loop offers a truly remote and tranquil experience, allowing you to escape into nature within the vast Kielder Forest system. Wark Forest forms the southern part of Kielder Forest, nestled within the southwest tip of Northumberland National Park, providing access to a wider network of trails. The route is notable for its varied forest riding, offering both steady climbs and enjoyable descents, and connects to parts of the National Cycle Route 68.

Embark on the Great North Trail: Haltwhistle Loop, a moderate mountain biking adventure spanning 19.0 miles (30.5 km) with an elevation gain of 1232 feet (376 metres). This route, estimated to take 2 hours and 13 minutes, guides you through a diverse landscape of rolling hills, expansive meadows, and ancient woodlands. You will experience a mix of quiet lanes, former railway lines, and off-road sections, including views of Hadrian's Wall and a serene lake at Cawfields Quarry, offering a varied and engaging ride.

Haltwhistle serves as an excellent starting point for your journey, providing general parking and acting as a hub for numerous other cycle routes in the area. While there are no specific warnings regarding permits or seasonal closures for this particular trail, planning your visit around good weather will enhance your mountain biking experience. Access to the trailhead is straightforward, making it easy to begin your exploration of the surrounding countryside.

This loop offers a fantastic way to experience a dedicated mountain biking section of the broader Great North Trail. The route incorporates parts of the NCN 68 Tarmac to Gravel Transition in Scotchcoulthard Forest, showcasing a unique blend of surfaces. It's an ideal choice if you are looking for a well-rounded ride that combines scenic beauty with interesting terrain, providing a taste of the larger trail network.