Local Cycling Routes, Northumberland

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Northumberland Cycling Routes

Whether you’re planning to come to Hadrian’s Wall Country on a short-stay cycling holiday, looking for family-friendly cycling, are doing a cycling tour coast to coast or a long-distance cycle route tour or simply plan to explore some of the beautiful Northumberland countryside on 2 wheels, glamping or camping at Herding Hill Farm is an ideal base.

Situated in the centre of Great Britain, just north of Haltwhistle, with a range of cycle friendly routes on our doorstep, our campsite offers a range of additional facilities and services to help make your stay more comfortable. You’ll find free hot showers, bath tubs in our ladies’ facilities and family bathroom, and a unisex sauna that is free to use at certain times and available for private hire. We also have secure bike storage. Herding Hill Farm has a range of cyclist friendly accommodation, including spacious grass pitches or our glamping pod Wigwam cabins, some with en-suite WC and private outdoor hot tub.

Hadrian's Cycleway

Dramatic scenery, quiet trails and historic Roman sites have made the Hadrian’s Cycleway one of the best long-distance cycle routes in the country. The 173 mile (277 Km) cycling route stretches the length of Hadrian's Wall, linking Ravenglass in the western Lake District, to either Tynemouth or South Shields on the North East coast. A shorter version of the ride starts at Bowness-on-Solway. Most of the route follows well-surfaced gravel cycle paths, tarmac cycle paths and quiet minor roads. Signposted as National Route 72 (NCN 72), there are no difficult off-road sections, but there are a few steep, short hills in the central section (up to 150m height climb). For more details about National Route 72 of the National Cycle Network, click here.

Pennine Cycleway

Herding Hill Farm is an ideal accommodation and rest stop for those cycling the 350 mile Pennine Cycleway from Derby to Berwick Upon Tweed. It is also the ideal end point for those cycling the Northern part of the Cycleway from Berwick Upon Tweed through to Haltwhistle.

Cycling trail suggestions

National Route 72 (NCN 72)
A quick snippet of advice if you're cycling east towards Herding Hill Farm along Route 72, rather than turning off the B6318 and descending into Haltwhistle, make a slight detour and save yourself a very steep hill climb back up! Stay on the B6318 for a mile or so until you reach the Milecastle Inn and turn right there.
River Tyne to Chesters
Make your way up the River Tyne from Hexham on Hadrian’s Cycleway, then follow the North Tyne river through peaceful countryside to visit Chesters Roman Fort and Chesters Walled Garden. Quiet roads and tarmac riverside path with a few steady climbs.
South Tyne Trail
Ride through the peaceful South Tyne Valley on a traffic-free greenway to the spectacular Lambley Viaduct. A mix of compacted gravel path and quiet roads with one short but steep hill (which can be avoided by retracing the route directly back to Haltwhistle from point 7). The greenway forms part of the Pennine Cycleway with its distinctive blue signs with the number 68.

The Wall and Beyond
Take a beautiful bike ride north from Haltwhistle visiting two of the most famous viewpoints on Hadrian’s Wall and enjoying the quiet Northumberland National Park moorland on the ‘far side’. All quiet roads, but take particular care at the two crossings of the Military Road (B6318). Several steep gradients and remember to take a bike lock.
Vallum and Views
Spectacular scenery all round - great views of Hadrian’s Wall and a fascinating museum make this a ride worth spending all day over. Part of the ride is along the Vallum - ditch and earth mounds controlling the military zone south of the actual Wall. One steep hill, a bit of gravel track and a short section on the fast Military Road (B6318).
Vindolanda and Stanegate
On this linear ride you’ll be following a superb section of Hadrian’s Cycleway through some of the best-known parts of Hadrian’s Wall Country, including a visit to Vindolanda Roman Fort and a ride along the ‘Stanegate’, the old Roman road. On quiet roads with one steep climb and a section of tarmac riverside track.