Mountain biking
As visitors may be aware, Kielder Water & Forest Park suffered significant damage from storms in late 2021 and early 2022. Teams have worked hard to make clear and make safe routes with most having reopened. See here for routes that remain closed or have diversions. https://www.visitkielder.com/news/2022/02/access-at-kielder-water-forest-park-
**DEADWATER TRAILS CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**
Safety information- Cycle trails
NOTE- Timber haulage can take place over the weekend as well as weekdays DO NOT PASS LORRIES LOADING TIMBER- WAIT UNTIL THE OPERATOR INFORMS YOU IT IS SAFE TO PASS. Forest operations are dangerous and we want all visitors to have a safe and enjoyable visit.
Explore your passion for Mountain Biking adventures in the heart of Northumberland and right on the border with Scotland, close to Hadrian’s Wall, Kielder Water & Forest Park is an ideal base for Mountain Biking across Northumberland and into Scotland, where our trails join up with Newcastleton 7Stanes trails or also onwards to the Reivers Route to either East or West Coast.
Experience some of the best single track trails in the UK with breath taking inspirational views and with the addition of many adrenaline fuelled events taking place throughout the year there really is something for all riders.
Fuel your passion with a choice of trails for all ages and abilities with Blue Grade trails through to more extreme Black and Orange Grade trails. Check out the Trail Grading information below to discover which Grade is right for you.
For your safety and to ensure all of our community other visitors and Forest needs are met we ask everyone using the forest to follow the same rules. Kielder is a village of residential areas. Please respect those who live here.
Park in designated car parks only, cycle on designated cycle trails and roads – please do not cycle on pavements or paths and remember to follow the Forestry Cycling Code and respect others and wildlife.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/mountain-bike-trail-grades-and-safety
• Check the weather before you participate, weather conditions change rapidly, and during extreme weather trails may not be passable.
• Be prepared to alter your plans in response to changing weather on high ground forested areas can be unsafe in high winds and wintery weather.
Please park in formal car parks only - thank you!
Please note:- It is advisable to check at one of our visitor centres before starting your journey. As the Park is an operational forest, small sections of tracks might be closed from time to time for forestry purposes or further development work. Click here to check for any trail updates.
- Bull Crag Peninsula car parks are no longer open.
Interactive map
- click on a trail name to find out more...
You can also try the Castlewood Training Loop at Kielder Castle. It is packed full of short trail sections that will give you a taste of what the different grades of trails are like to ride out there in the wider Kielder Water & Forest Park.
- Click on the tiles below to see maps of the trails (these tiles are the same way markers you will follow onsite)
Green trails
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- Easy and suitable for beginner and novice cyclists The Borderline trail starts from Kielder Village and is perfect for all the family. This cycle trail follows the former Border Counties Railway. |
Blue trails
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- moderate and suitable for intermediate cyclists and mountain bikers 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. |
Red trails
(SEE DETAILS OF DIVERSIONS ON BLOODY BUSH TRAIL AT TOP OF THIS PAGE .
For the start of Bloody Bush and Lonesome Pine trails follow signs for Lakeside Way south shore)
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- difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers 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. |
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- difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers 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. |
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**CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE** - difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers The Deadwater red trail starts from Kielder Castle. It takes in the breathtaking Deadwater Summit – on a clear day you can see 360° views. |
Black trails
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**CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE** - severe and only suitable for expert mountain bikers The Deadwater black trail starts via the Deadwater red trail. It is a highly technical trail that includes epic climbing and thrilling descending. |
Cross border trail
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SEE DETAILS OF DIVERSIONS ON CROSS BORDER TRAIL AT TOP OF THIS PAGE. The Cross Border trail starts using Lakeside Way at Kielder Castle, you can ride the trail fully by forest road or via singletrack sections on Lonesome Pine, Bloody Bush and 7stanes Newcastleton. At Newcastleton Forest, the trail links into 7stanes Singletrack, then back into England you can finish off the ride on Lonesome Pine singletrack trail sections. Not for the fainthearted this is a cracking days ride, or why not make a night of it in Scotland and stay over at Newcastleton? Look out for the historical Bloody Bush Toll on the border- have you got your passport at the ready?? |
MTB Trials Park
Packed full of advanced level features, the Trials Park is an ideal spot for riders looking to push their skill levels, style it up, learn new tricks or just hang out and ride with friends. It's located right next to the Kielder Castle car park.
The park is graded ‘orange bike park’ with a great range of features, small and large. Check out the info panels on site before riding. In addition to helmet and gloves, body armour is strongly recommended!
Riders tend to practise 'session' short sections rather than riding a whole trail in one go. 'Sessioning' is positively encouraged, but please use the Deadwater Outward trail that runs alongside the Trials Park rather than the actual trails to push back up.
**DEADWATER TRAILS CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**
Bike hire
We would recommend that visitors book bikes in advance to ensure you have the right bikes at your preferred location.
The Bike Place Kielder is situated at Kielder Castle. The centre offers an array of bikes, we also continue to organise MTB events. Due to the popularity of cycling at Kielder Water & Forest Park we strongly recommend that you book in advance during the school holidays.
If staying within Kielder Waterside Park we offer bike hire via Bike4health https://www.bikehirekielder.co.uk/
