From wet n’ wild to a relaxing ride, the forests in Northeast England have spectacular trails to cater for all tastes and abilities.
Trails are developing and evolving all the time. New developments in 2009 include a MTB Trials Area at Kielder Castle and the completion of the singletrack cross border link to Newcastleton. At Hamsterley the tape has been cut on the new exhilerating feature-packed singletrack extension to the red grade trail.
Cycle Trails
- Chopwell Woodland Park
- Powerline MTB Trail (Red Grade)
- Hamsterley Forest
- The Loop (Blue Grade)
- The Grove Link (Blue Grade)
- Blue Cycle Trail
- Red Cycle Trail
- Black Cycle trail
- Descend Downhill Courses [Descend Hamsterley website]
- Kielder Forest
- Castle Wood Skills Loop (Red Grade)
- Bloody Bush Trail (Red Grade)
- Lonesome Pine Trail (Red Grade)
- Deadwater Trail (Red Grade)
- Up and Over (Black Grade)
- Cross Border Trail (Red Grade)
- Lakeside Way (Blue Grade)
- Castle Hill (Blue Grade)
- Borderline (Green Grade)
View the current status of the trails
Trail Grading System
Green (easier): Suitable for relative beginner/ novice cyclists. Trails mostly surfaced, may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. Climbs and descents are mostly shallow
Blue (moderate): Suitable for intermediate mountain bikers. Trails are approximately 1 metre wide and may include small obstacles such as roots and rocks. Mostly moderate gradients but may include steep sections.
Red (difficult): Suitable for proficient mountain bikers. Trails are mostly singletrack and surfaces will vary and may be challenging. Contain steeper and tougher climbs and descents.
Black (severe): Suitable for expert mountain bikers. Will include any rideable or useable trail and may have large steps and drop offs. Includes prolonged steep loose/ rocky climbs and descents.
Cycle hire
Hamsterley Forest
Wood n’ Wheels [external website]
01388 488222
Kielder Water and Forest Park
Purple Mountain [external website]
The Bike Place at Kielder [external website]
(01434) 250457
Cycle Groups
Chopwell Woodland Park
Northeast Free-Ride Association (NEFA) [external website]
Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Trailblazers [external website]
Kielder Forest
Kielder Trail Reavers [external website]
