|
There are over 125km of nationally graded self guided Cycle Trails in the Kielder Water and Forest Park. All the trails have been overhauled and re-waymarked.
Click on the Trail Links below to download and print.
Click here for explanation of National Trail Grading System
Always follow the Biking Code.
Try out your Mountain Biking Skills on the purpose built Skills Loop situated at the Trail Head at Castle Wood - just off the Main Kielder Castle Car Park. Here you can guage the different Trail gradings, improve your skills and go on to choose which trail is right for you.
 Castle Hill - 11 km - Blue Grade
Starts at Kielder Castle and heads up the Forest Drive. Around 3 kilometres of easy cycling brings you to the right turn by the picnic site. After crossing Kielder Burn, an uphill section leads you back into the forest. The undulating track affords views of the surrounding hills and if you stay alert you will catch a great view down on to Kielder village. A long descent takes you down to join the Village Connection trail. Turn right here and follow the road back to Kielder, with pleasant views of Bakethin reservoir to the left.
 Border Line - 11 km - Green Grade
The majority of this route follows the former Border Counties railway line (operational from 1862 to 1956) making it a relatively flat and easy ride, suitable for all abilities.
Starting in Kielder Village, and joining the railway just to the west of the old Kielder Station (now part of the garage) the route runs parallel with the North Tyne (in its infancy at this point) and takes you through open countryside and fantastic views, to the Scottish Border at Deadwater Station.
To return to Kielder, retrace your tracks to the village.
 Deadwater - 16 km - Red/Black Grades
Experience two of the best single track trails in England and some of the best views in Britain.
Whether you choose the Deadwater red grade trail or the extremely challenging "Up and Over" black grade trail, you will be taking in the 1,900 foot summit of Deadwater Fell which straddles the English/Scottish border and gives sensational 360° views from coast to coast (on a clear day). The trail plummets from the peak back down to Kielder Castle on specially constructed single track, packed full of features.
Linking the villages (and tea rooms and pubs) of Kielder and Falstone, this trail runs along the undeveloped north shore and includes stunning lake vistas and fabulous wildlife viewing opportunities.
Starting at Kielder Castle, head down the hill past the Minotaur maze artwork and follow the road east, passed the youth hostel and out of the village. Take the left turn towards Gowanburn and follow the road above Bakethin reservoir, past Gowanburn and onto the site of the former mining settlement of Plashetts. Continuing to head east, you may want to make a couple of small diversions to view two features of the Art & Architecture at Kielder programme.
The Kielder Belvedere on the shoreline at Bennyshank, is a contemporary shelter designed by Softroom Architects whose stainless steel structure has received much praise for its innovative design, winning many awards including an RIBA award and the Stephen Lawrence Prize. Belvedere has a face of curved stainless steel that reflects its surroundings while the interior contains a window that frames the lakeside vista perfectly.
Wave Chamber on the Belling peninsula, works as a camera obscura, projecting the image of the water onto the floor of the chamber. Inside, the walls echo the wave sounds and the floor appears to become liquid. The image is clearer on late afternoons and sunny days.
The North Haul road arrives at Hawkhope on the north side of Kielder dam and continues on to Falstone.
You could make a day of it by returning to Kielder dam and crossing to the south shore, making your way back to Kielder village via Lakeside Way joining onto the Kielder to Calvert trail.
 Lakeside Way - 43km -  Green Grade
A fabulous full circuit of Kielder Water, passing by many of the famous artworks. Scope for tea and cake stops along the way.
The Lakeside Way is a multi-user trail suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders providing access to some of the lesser known but most scenic parts of the lake shore. It is designed and constructed with gentle gradients making it suitable for the less mobile, push chairs and wheelchair users. The Lakeside Way is a fantastic opportunity for beginners and families to experience the Kielder Water & Forest Park environment at close quarters.
Construction of the Lakeside Way is a current project which when completed will encircle Kielder Water. An 11 kilometre stretch, from the south corner of Kielder Dam to Leaplish Waterside Park is now open. If you are walking or cycling, why not consider starting at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre and returning by the Osprey cruiser from Leaplish? Visit www.kielder.org or telephone 0870 2403549 for a timetable of sailings.
A further stretch of the Lakeside Way, linking Leaplish to Kielder village and incorporating a landmark bridge over Lewisburn, is scheduled for completion in early 2008.
This circular route takes in a fantastic part of the forest with a number of interesting sites along the way.
From the Calvert Trust follow the tarmac road which runs up alongside the Cranecleugh Burn. After crossing over the burn, turn right at the crossroads onto a forest road. As you head south easterly, more and more views unfold. Stop a while and contemplate the isolated cottage before continuing. Having slowly turned through 180°, you head back north westerly along the Humble Burn where remains of ancient settlements and sheep stells can still be seen. The next turn brings you alongside Binky Crags to your right while far ahead in the distance rises Deadwater Fell. A loose surface downhill section brings you back to the original crossroads. Turn right here and head back to the Calvert Trust.
The trail links back into the Lakeside Way and the Kielder Calvert trail, giving you the option of a longer ride and the possibility of calling into the visitor centres at Tower Knowe, Leaplish Waterside Park and Kielder Castle.
 Cross Border Trail - 40 km return - Red Grade
The route starts out from the Kielder Calvert trail, but can also be accessed from
the picnic area at Lewisburn. It follows the Bloody bush road past the confluence of the Lewis burn and Akenshaw burns at The Forks, heading westwards. The trail runs alongside the Akenshaw burn passing an Outdoor Centre and you will note the return loop on your left as you continue west to the Border
The best direction to ride the trail is anti clockwise, following the old Bloody Bush toll road, climbing past open ground, a quarry and over the Buck Burn. The trail runs alongside a recently felled area on the left and becomes a grassy track, before reaching the old Bloody Bush Toll Pillar, which is steeped in history and well worth reading the fees that once long ago you would have had to pay at the border. Here, you get spectacular views of the Liddesdale valley and the Scottish Border hills come into view before the trail joins the forest road which plunges down through conifers. Look out for the sharp left off the main forest road. The route undulates with several long descents until reaching Dykecrofts Information Centre.
At Dykecrofts you will be met by a formal mountain bike trailhead for the Newcastleton 7stanes trails. Following the red grade trail takes you in the right direction to return to Kielder along the scenic Kershope Burn and back into England. As you reach the burn, turn left and follow a forest track which eventually narrows to arrive at Scotch Knowe and the Border back into England. Here the infant Kershope burn is crossed and followed downstream, firstly on some nice singletrack , and then a forest road past Willowbog and on to join the outward loop.
At Newcastleton, there are fantastic 7stanes blue and red grade trails and if you are into serious North Shore, then try out the North Shore timber trails at Newcastleton Forest's black grade trail.
Local Information
Details on eating out, accommodation, shops and services can be obtained from Bellingham Tourist information Centre Tel; 01434 220616 or email; bellinghamtic@btconnect.com or visit the website www.kielder.org
|
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}