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Castle Wood Skills Loop


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The Kielder Trail Reavers, working closely with Forestry Commission England, have built a half kilometre trail adjacent to Kielder Castle. The ‘Castle Wood Skills Loop’ has been built to show mountain bikers what they can expect from similar grade trails that are planned to appear in Kielder Forest. The blue grade section of Castle Wood Skills Loop is half a kilometre long, single-track that is roughly 1 metre wide with a fine, solid surface. There are slight gradients as well as ground level north shore style decking, bridges and some berms. Blue grade trails are intended for the beginner or novice rider. The red grade trail is a spur within loop of the blue grade trail. Shorter but more challenging than the blue trail, the red trail is typically less than 1m wide with a loose surface. The obstacles and gradients are also more challenging. Red grade trails are intended for the intermediate rider. Finally, a short black grade section can be accessed from the red grade section. This contains highly technical features and is designed for expert riders. New in 2009 is the Trials Area where highly proficient riders can hone their jumping skills or practice on testing north shore.
Click here to find out what else you can do in this forest.

How to get there:

Castle Wood Skills Loop can be started from Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre in Kielder which is part of Kielder. Kielder Village near Bellingham is the nearest town or village.

Kielder Castle is situated at the northern end of Kielder Water, off the C200.

OS Grid Reference: NY632934
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

What's on in Kielder

February

  • Nordic Walk
    Sunday 12 February 2012
    Sunday 18 March 2012
    Monday 2 April 2012
    Tuesday 10 April 2012
    Sunday 20 May 2012
    Sunday 17 June 2012
    Sunday 8 July 2012
  • 4 x 4 Safari
    Saturday 18 February 2012
    Saturday 31 March 2012
    Saturday 12 May 2012
    Saturday 26 May 2012

March

  • Introduction to Nordic Pole Walking
    Sunday 5 February 2012
    Sunday 4 March 2012
    Sunday 1 April 2012
    Monday 9 April 2012
    Sunday 15 April 2012
    Sunday 13 May 2012
    Sunday 10 June 2012
    Sunday 1 July 2012
  • Nordic Walk
    Sunday 12 February 2012
    Sunday 18 March 2012
    Monday 2 April 2012
    Tuesday 10 April 2012
    Sunday 20 May 2012
    Sunday 17 June 2012
    Sunday 8 July 2012
  • 4 x 4 Safari
    Saturday 18 February 2012
    Saturday 31 March 2012
    Saturday 12 May 2012
    Saturday 26 May 2012
  • Goshawk Walk
    Saturday 10 March 2012
    Saturday 24 March 2012

April

View all events

Please tell us what you think...

Please email us at kieldercastle@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.

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1st leg - pursuit on berm

Facilities and Activities

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationParkingEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
Cycling

Trail

Grade of trail

Moderate

Trail waymarking

Length of trail

1/2 miles

Open or closed

open

Contact

Kielder Castle
01434 250209
e-mail: kieldercastle@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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