Cycling

Off Road Cycling

Kielder has an extensive network of off-road tracks which are perfect for family cycling holidays or leisurely excursions and for the adrenaline junkies who favour mountain bike single track blasts and adventures.

The Lakeside Way, a multi-user trail that follows the 26-mile Kielder Water shoreline, is our main route to unique and beautiful cycling experiences. Offering access to many of the most scenic parts of the lake shore, abundant vistas, and the opportunity to see some of the abundant wildlife, this multi-user track, which is also used by walkers, horse riders, wheelchair users, plus the occasional balance bike and bicycle equipped with stabilisers, is a gem of route in its own right, but provides the access to a number artwork features and to trails and spurs which take you deeper into Kielder and onto new immersive experiences.

Another favourite with families and novice cyclists is the Borderline linear route which follows the course of the former Border Counties railway from Kielder village to the Scottish Border at Deadwater.

Easy and suitable for beginner and novice   cyclists – GREEN GRADE  The Borderline trail starts from Kielder Village   and is perfect for all the family. This cycle trail   follows the former Border Counties Railway.

A step up from the Lakeside Way and Borderline is the Osprey Trail on the lesser visited north side of Kielder Water.

Moderate and suitable for intermediate cyclists  and mountain bikers - BLUE GRADE  The Osprey trail starts from Kielder Castle and is   a great progression for those who have used the   Lakeside Way and are looking for more of a       challenge.

Reiver Trails

A series of routes, the Northumberland Reiver Trails are being created in west Northumberland and will open more immersive, scenic and natural heritage experiences for people of all abilities and, like the Lakeside Way, will also be available to walkers and horse riders.

The Reiver Trails will add to an already exciting series of cycle routes which encompass Northumberland National Park and Hadrian’s Wall, the Redesdale and North Tyne valleys, and Scottish Border areas as well as the 250 square miles of Kielder.

Road Cycling 

Kielder, along with the neighbouring Northumberland National Park, rural hills, dales, valleys and Scottish Borders is a fantastic base for road cycling, with scenic highways and quiet roads combining to form a variety of short loops and long loops.

Mountain Biking

Breathtaking, inspirational views, combined with thrilling challenges, Kielder has some of the best singletrack trails in the UK.

Passions for adrenaline fuelled mountain biking adventures are served with a choice of trails for all ages and abilities, ranging from Blue Grade trails through to more extreme Red and Black Grade trails (see below).

Check the Trail Grading information link below to discover which Grade is right for you.

Difficult and suitable only for proficient   mountain bikers – RED GRADE  The Lonesome Pine trail starts from Kielder   Castle. It offers thrilling   descents as well as   the UK’s longest, one metre wide, wooden   boardwalk of its kind.

Difficult and suitable only for proficient   mountain bikers – RED GRADE  The Bloody Bush trail starts via the Lonesome   Pine trail. It links Kielder Water & Forest Park to   the Scottish Border and the 7 Stanes bike centre   at Newcastleton.

Difficult and suitable only for proficient   mountain bikers – RED GRADE    The Deadwater red trail starts from Kielder   Castle. It takes in the breathtaking Deadwater   Summit - on a clear day you can see 360° views.

Severe and only suitable for expert mountain   bikers – BLACK GRADE    The Deadwater black trail starts via the   Deadwater red trail. It is a highly technical trail   that includes epic climbing and thrilling   descending.

A popular and favourite longer distance cycling trail is the Cross Border Trail from Kielder and into Scotland following a historical drover’s route.

The Cross Border trail starts using Lakeside Way at Kielder Castle, with the option of riding the trail by forest road or singletrack sections on Lonesome Pine and Bloody Bush routes (see below). Not for the fainthearted this is a cracking day’s ride, which takes in the historical Bloody Bush Toll on the border.

Bike Hire Services

Kielder Cycle Centre, located opposite Kielder Castle offers cycle hire, repair services, accessories and bike sales. The hire stock includes leisure, hybrid, and e-bikes to full-on, hard-core mountain bikes. It is advisable to book your hire in advance of your visit.

Bike Hire is also offered at Kielder Waterside.

Telephone 01434 251000 for details.

Essential Information – Recommended Reading

Kielder is largely open and free to roam for walkers, cyclists and horse riders but we advise that you do not get carried away and are too ambitious. Kielder is vast. The distance around Kielder Water is 26 miles and Kielder Forest is made up of 150 million trees across 250 square miles.

As well as being a place for enjoyment, Kielder is a place where people live and work. From time to time some trails and areas may be closed for reasons such as tree felling and site restoration. It is always advisable to check at one of our visitor centres or visit the following for updates.

Cycling and mountain biking trails at Kielder Forest | Forestry England 

It is advisable to check the weather forecast before you set off as conditions can change rapidly, and during extreme weather trails may not be passable.

For your own safety and enjoyment, please observe signs and barriers and respect local communities by staying on trails and parking in designated visitor car parks.

Following these simple rules will ensure a safe and pleasant experience for all.