Cycling on the Northumberland Coast

The principal long distance cycling route through the National Landscape is the Coast and Cycles Route which is part of National Cycle Network Route 1. 

Meanwhile, the Sandstone Way, is a mountain biking route that starts in Berwick and passes through the north of the National Landscape before heading south to Northumberland National Park and Hexham. 

You can buy a useful Northumberland Cycle Touring Map here.

Coast and Castles Cycle Route  

The Coast and Castles cycle route is part of National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 1. It joins the Rivers Tyne and Forth via the Northumberland Coast, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Melrose. The Coast and Castles route is 200 miles long between Newcastle and Edinburgh. It is best tackled south to north to take advantage of the prevailing wind. 

The route can be ridden on most types of bike as long as they are in good condition - it is worth having a service before setting off. Some of the sections on the Northumberland coast are off-road and could be tricky on a road bike.  

Several companies offer guided or self-guided holidays on the Coast and Castles route, including luggage transfer services.  

Find out more, over at Visit Northumberland.

Sandstone Way  

Sandstone Way is a 120-mile mountain biking route along the sandstone ridge in Northumberland between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Hexham. From Berwick, the route hugs the coast as far as the Holy Island Causeway before heading inland for Northumberland National Park.  

The route is for experienced mountain bikers and should not be taken lightly. It is waymarked but you will need to use a map.  

Find out more over at Northumberland National Park.

Pennine Cycleway (North) NCN Route 68  

The Pennine Cycleway (North) links the North Pennines National Landscape with the Northumberland coast via Northumberland National Park.  

This challenging route passes through some of England’s most beautiful, unspoilt scenery.