Any suggestions for biking (mountain biking or gravel) around Bellingham? I know Kielder is about 20 minutes away, but ideally looking for something based around the campsite at Bellingham. Doesn't have to be technical or anything like that, just a few hours of off-road fun.
I've had a look at the maps, but just wondered if there's any local knowledge on here.
Cheers in advance.
Looking at the OS layer in bing maps there are a few bridleways just to the south/west and some going into the forest there. Not ridden that area myself, only passed on the way to Kielder which as you say isn't far. Harwood forest is just fireroads other than a couple of trails so probably not worth it.
Cheers dir, have had a look at the maps so may try riding some of the Pennine Way, or head south-west to the tracks there.
Only ever really ridden on the road and a bit of gravel passing through.
Sandstone way passes through which might be a starting point to a loop
https://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/category/Route-Sections/routes
Looks like there could be a loop out to the North, near Hareshaw Lynn.
I've walked between Redesmouth and Wark, and I think it was rideable. There's an old railway track in part. Memory is a bit hazy and some of that is footpath...
I'd see if there are segments on strava, then look to see what loops people were doing when they rode them?
Cheers jonba, the Sandstone Way sounds a decent shout. Ta.
The only advice I can give is some of the bridlepaths might be marked on the maps. Actually are pretty much hike a bike. I did a ride round reedsmouth upto east wood burn and some of the bridlepaths whilst marked where impossible to ride. Some lovely countryside mind you. Rede Bridge was a nice spot.
Bridlepaths through the forest unless they are following a track I would be cautious as they are probably pretty rough.
this site might be worth a look
https://www.cyclenorthumberland.org.uk/listing/bellingham--north-tyne-circular-cycle-routes
Ta winston, have factored that into our planning.
Not an expert, but in my limited experience of the surroundings...
- Minor roads (i.e. sub B roads) all good riding for gravel bike
- Forestry roads generally all decent for making progress on a gravel bike, easy to get lost in some parts of Wark/Kielder forests
- Forestry bridleways generally unused/non existent or chewed up massively by motorbikes unless they coincide with forestry access (in which case they'll be better maintained than the tarmac roads)
- moorland bridleways, nothing stands out as amazing for mtb but would like to be proven wrong
Good bits a bit further out...
Gravel bike the Border County Ride from Shitlington/Hesleyside, outer edges of Wark Forest toward Paddaburn, Butterburn, Spadeadam/Gilsland road (interesting scenery here at times), Along the wall, N on NCN route whatever it is to Stonehaugh and back. A decent trip out that.
Gravel again - exploring the Otterburn ranges. Take the road over the moor to Otterburn, up past Otterburn Hall and onto the ranges. Loads of roads here and some gravel, only traffic on most will be military/farmers checking sheep. Head vaguely NW to coquet head, head down the infant Coquet, either back into ranges near Holystone, or on the popular road riders road to Elsdon and back (to make longer, access from Byrness which can be reached through forest N of Lanehead).
Mtb is better served in Cheviots proper, round Rothbury/Thrunton or in the S of the county.
Some decent climbing on the local crags if you're into that.