We look forward to welcoming you to Kielder Water & Forest Park. Please see our Know Before You Go page for lots of useful information including important details on access to routes following storm damage.
Access at Kielder Water & Forest Park
As most visitors know, Kielder Water & Forest Park suffered significant damage from in November 2021 and again in January and February 2022.
Our teams are working as fast as they can, but in some areas the size and complexity of the damage and remote locations is going to take months to fix. Storm damaged trees can be unstable and dangerous. We need to make trees safe, within two tree-lengths of all of our trails. Unfortunately this means some facilities remain closed.
IMPORTANT NOTE - while sections of the Lakeside Way are now accessible, please note that the full 26 miles is not accessible. See the map/attachment below.
As of 21st June 2022, the section of Lakeside Way between Kielder Waterside and Hawkhirst is temporarily closed. This is to allow inspection work to be carried out on Mounces Bridge to the west of Kielder Waterside. We will update on social media when more information is available. Signs are in place to advise visitors not to use this section.
Long term trail closures at Kielder into late 2022/2023 are now predicted to be only Lonesome Pine mtb trail and Bastle forest walk at Sidwood with all other routes being planned to be opened during 2022.
We ask that everyone stays on the main forest tracks and adhere to all information/ warning signs and barriers at all times. We thank you for your patience and co-operation.
Here is the full list of what's open, diversion in place or remains closed.
21st June 2022 | ||
Walking routes | ||
Facility / route name | Status | Updates |
Dukes Trail | Open | |
Skyspace/ Kielder Observatory | Open | Using forest road only. Forest area walk will be closed for months |
Deadwater | Open | |
Warksburn (Stonehaugh) | Open | 2 small diversions in place for next 6 months+ |
Sidwood (Riverside Trail only) | Open | |
Hindhope Linn Waterfall | Open | Only access direct to Waterfall. Rest closed long term |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Freya's Cabin | Open | Access from the layby beyond the water ski club on the Kielder Waterside exit road. |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Otterstone Viewpoint via Freya's Cabin | Open | Access from the layby beyond the water ski club on the Kielder Waterside exit road. |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Matthew's Linn | Part closed | Temporary closure between KW and Hawkhirst ; Hawkhirst to Matthews Linn open |
Lakeside Way south shore (LSW) Dam, Tower Knowe to Kielder Waterside via Bull Crag | Open | |
Wild Walks (WW) Falstone | Open | |
WW Greenhaugh | Open | |
WW Stonehaugh | Open | |
WW Tower Knowe peninsula | Open | |
WW Belling & Wave Chamber | Open | |
WW Wildwood | Open | |
Lakeside Way northshore | Open with diversions | Diversions in place till autumn |
Pennine Way (national trail) | Open with diversions | Bellingham to Blakehopeburnhaugh open fully. Diversion in place Sill to Stonehaugh. |
Sidwood Bastle Trail | Closed | Will be closed for many months. |
Duchess Trail | Closed | Aiming for summer reopening |
Kielder Waterside Beeches walk | Closed | |
Wild Walks (WW) Bakethin Hide | Closed | Bakethin Nature Reserve including Hide and reservoir is closed. Aiming for reopening early July. |
WW Kielder Castle & Bakethin | Closed | |
WW Salmon Centre | Closed | |
Cycle Trail/ Mountain Bike Facilities | ||
Jump Line | Open | |
Borderline Trail | Open | |
Route 68 Sill to Bellingham | Open | |
Deadwater red & black trails | Open | |
Cross Border Trail | Open | |
LSW Dam to Tower Knowe | Open | |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Freya's Cabin | Open | Access from the layby beyond the water ski club on the Kielder Waterside exit road. |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Otterstone Viewpoint via Freya's Cabin | Open | Access from the layby beyond the water ski club on the Kielder Waterside exit road. |
Landal Kielder Waterside - Matthew's Linn | Part closed | Temporary closure between KW and Hawkhirst ; Hawkhirst to Matthews Linn open |
Lakeside Way LSW Tower Knowe to Kielder Waterside via Bull Crag | Open | |
Lakeside Way LSW north shore | Open with diversions | 50/50 Lakeside Way / North Haul Forest Road |
Lakeside Way LSW shouth shore | Open only Bakethin area still closed | Bakethin area only section that remains closed until summer |
Osprey Trail | Open with diversions | Using forest roads. Fully opening summer. |
Lonesome Pine Trail | Closed | Skydive section ONLY opening soon |
Bloodybush Trail | Closed | Aim to have open summer 2022. |
Cycle Skills Loop | Closed | Due to upgrading work required. |
Forest Head Silvas Capitalis | Closed |
