Walking
As visitors may be aware, Kielder Water & Forest Park suffered significant damage from storms in late 2021 and early 2022. Teams have worked very hard to clear fallen trees and debris and reopen routes.
See here https://www.visitkielder.com/news/2022/02/access-at-kielder-water-forest-park- for list of routes that remain closed or have diversions.
What better way to explore the great outdoors than on foot?
With over 600 square kilometres of forest and 26 miles of shoreline to choose from, Kielder Water & Forest Park is perfect for walking and hiking holidays or family days out. From challenging long distance trails to more leisurely family strolls - there's a multitude of walks to choose from.
And thanks to the Lakeside Way, a multi-user trail that follows the 26 mile Kielder Water shoreline, you can have a unique and beautiful walking experience. The Lakeside Way offers access to many of the most scenic parts of the lake shore, new views and the opportunity to interact with some of the abundant wildlife. The multi-user track is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users.
New in 2023 is the Zog trail, on the Dukes Trail from Kielder Castle. Packs are available to buy at The Dukes Diner at Kielder Castle or Anglers Arms in Kielder Village and at Kielder Waterside, Tower Knowe and Bellingham Post Office.
See link here for walking routes from Kielder Castle
A “Wild Walks” pack is available to buy (or download at bottom of this page) at the main visitor centres. Each leaflet includes a clear route map, route description, way marking and facts on the wildlife or features you might see on the walk. There are eight wild walks in the pack. On the back of each leaflet visitors are encouraged to download the route on popular walkers Outdoor Active app as a virtual tour guide.
There are 8 Kielder walks on the Outdoor Active app. Simply install the free app and search for Kielder Water & Forest Park Wild Walks. You can then easily download the free route and information on a smartphone before you visit. The app not only gives directions, route map and photographs, it also suggests what to look out for and offers fascinating wildlife information at each waypoint. Visitors can also listen to audio clips of Kielder wildlife experts talking about all the varied species who live here and how they are cared for.
More than twenty pieces of outdoor public art can also be discovered along the Lakeside Way, including the futuristic Belvedere shelter and the sound installation The Human Burrow at Kielder Waterside. See Kielder Art & Architecture for the full collection of art and architecture in the Park.
Avid walkers will also find themselves in an ideal location for further adventures around Northumberland. Situated on the border of Northumberland National Park, Kielder Water & Forest Park is an ideal base to explore opportunities for walking at nearby Hadrian’s Wall and across Northumberland.
It is always advisable to check at one of our visitor centres before starting your journey. As the Park is also an operational forest, small sections of tracks might be closed from time to time for forestry purposes or further development work.
Please note:
- The Bull Crag Peninsula car park is no longer open
- Lewisburn Car park is now closed and the Lewisburn walk is no longer in operation (page 31 of the old trails guide).
For safety information please contact or visit one of the following:
- Kielder Waterside, tel: 01434 251 000
- Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, tel: 01434 240 436
- Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, tel: 01434 250 209
Short Walking Routes to download (please note due to storm damage both the Kielder Castle & Bakethin and Salmon Centre walks remain closed)
 |
|
|
- PDF Download
|
- PDF Download
|
| |
|
|
- PDF Download
|
Greenhaugh
- PDF Download
|
| |
|
| Kielder Castle & Bakethin
- PDF Download
|
Walk to the Wildwood
- PDF Download
|
| |
|
|
- PDF Download
|
- PDF Download
|
|
|
|
- PDF Download
|
