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Kielder Forest Drive


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.3/5)

About Kielder Forest Drive

Kielder Forest Drive is a spectacular 12 mile (19 km) drive on unsealed forest road, from Kielder Castle in the west to Blakehopeburnhaugh on the A68 in the east. The Forest Drive is one of England's highest roads, cresting over 1500 feet (450 metres) at Blakehope Nick. Here the 'big sky' views over Northumberland are simply breathtaking. The Forest Drive is a toll road, with a £3 fee payable at the toll machine at the Kielder Castle end.

Please note that the surface has recently been repaired and in sections the surface is covered with loose stone. It is important to drive with caution and keep to the 20mph speed limit.

How to get there:

Kielder Forest Drive 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

You can also access this trail through Blakehopeburnhaugh.

What's on in Kielder

June

  • 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
  • Jubilee Beacon
    Monday 4 June 2012
  • Bat Night
    Saturday 9 June 2012

July

  • 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 31 March 2012
    Saturday 21 April 2012
    Saturday 26 May 2012
    Sunday 8 July 2012
    Saturday 29 September 2012
    Saturday 10 November 2012
    Saturday 15 December 2012
    Sunday 30 September 2012
  • Working Forest Visit
    Tuesday 24 July 2012
    Tuesday 31 July 2012
    Tuesday 7 August 2012
    Tuesday 14 August 2012
    Tuesday 21 August 2012
    Tuesday 28 August 2012
    Tuesday 30 October 2012
View all events
A CAR USING THE FOREST DRIVE IN KIELDER FOREST

Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre Facilities.
ToiletsParking ChargeInformationParkingEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
Grade of trail:
Trail waymarking:
Length of trail:
12 miles
Approximate time of trail:
40 minutes
Open or closed:
open
Click here to find out what else you can do in this forest.

Contact:

Kielder Castle

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

User Comments

5 Stars 5 Stars

Great forrest drive just dont get over confident. You dont need a 4x4 just a car with a good ground clearance and never take a car along with low profile tyres. I live round there so I go along there a lot, I advise you stick to the drive and not go off route. Takes ages to walk out if you get stuck!

Paul , 10/Apr/2012
5 Stars 5 Stars

Go careful. No need for 4x4 because I have just done it in my '98 fiesta 1.4

Frex, 8/Dec/2011
5 Stars 5 Stars

Been across the forest drive a few times. In the summer it's fine in a 2WD vehicle as long as you take it slowly and have decent ground clearance. In the winter it is a very exciting and edgy 4WD experience. Bear in mind that it can be very isolated and a long walk out if you get stuck. Mobile coverage - errr what mobile coverage!!

John, 21/Nov/2011
More user comments

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