North East's Best Hiking Routes
5 of the North East's Best Hiking Routes
Guest Blog by Chantel Stevenson
For those with a love of nature and a penchant for walking, the North East really is a hiker’s paradise. With an abundance of hills, rivers, forests, manor estates and beaches, this glorious region is home to some of the UK’s best kept hiking secrets. Below we describe our top 5 North East hiking routes, so you can make the most of the warm weather and clear skies this summer.
Simonside Hills, Northumberland
Simonside Hills, found south of the village of Rothbury, is an easy-going walk that can be done in a few hours - and is particularly enjoyable on a bright day. Easily accessible by car or van, with free parking available, the extended walk itself is 6.6 miles and offers stunning views across Rothbury, the River Coquet and the Cheviot (Northumberland’s highest point).
Though the path can be unclear in some places, you’ll have no difficulty hiking your way across the terrain and up onto the Simonside Ridge. Take on all 6.6 miles and you’ll be rewarded with great views at every step of the way. Ranging from grassland vistas as far as the eye can see to quaint local towns untouched by time, this walk encapsulates some of the best qualities you’ll find across Britain’s landscapes.
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Whether it’s ancient castles built into cliff faces or Roman forts that have stood the test of time, the North East is brimming with history and lure - so it’s worth combining the great outdoors with some of the historical sights while you’re here. Renowned not only for its local beauty but its historical importance too, the coastal walk along Bamburgh Beach is a popular route for locals and visitors alike - and it’s easy to see why.
This gorgeous stretch of Northumberland coastline is the epitome of picturesque, and easily demonstrates why this area of the UK is so famous for its outdoor spaces. With the ancient stronghold of Bamburgh Castle presiding over the pristine expanse of sand, it’s no wonder this beach is one of the most photographed in the region. With the full walk stretching over 8.5 miles, you’ll have a chance to visit the seaside town of Bamburgh along the way - and with cottages in Bamburgh providing comfortable home-from-home accommodation, this town is a picture-perfect place to set up camp.
Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
An iconic landmark with an instantly recognisable shape, Roseberry Topping sits at just over 1,000 feet high - making it an achievable climb even for those with a family. For more experienced hikers, we’d recommend also venturing to Captain Cook's Monument, which you can see from the summit at Roseberry Topping. A 7.5 mile walk, you’ll pass through woods, farmland and Great Ayton, where you can stop off for a bite to eat before heading on to tackle the hill. With a distinctive hooked edge, the top of this hill offers unrivalled views across the Yorkshire Moors and the surrounding countryside, so it’s well worth the short ascent to take in the scenery.
Lakeside Way, Kielder
With stunning lakeside views and a huge 26 mile circuit to tackle, Lakeside Way is one of the best ways to experience the beautiful panoramic views across Kielder Lake, and is just one of many walks you’ll find at the huge 250 square mile Kielder Water & Forest Park. This route not only boasts some of the best lakeside scenery in England, but has a placement of twenty different contemporary art and architecture pieces places along the way - so you’ll be sure to find plenty of reasons to stop off on your journey.
Whether you’re taking a lunch-break at Kielder Castle, hitching a ride across the Osprey Ferry or just admiring the stunning views, Lakeside Way is the ideal route to tackle if you’re up for a long day of lakeside walking.
Cragside House, Northumberland
Nestled in the forests of rural Northumberland, Cragside House is known internationally as the first ever home to be powered by hydroelectricity in the 19th century. For lovers of the great outdoors, the huge estate boasts over 1,000 acres of land and 40 miles of footpaths spanning across everything from small hills to lakes and untouched woodland - so there’s more than enough here to keep you busy. If you’re lucky, you might also see some of the UK’s iconic residents on your trip, as red squirrels, badgers, swallows and woodpeckers all call this area home.
Whether you’re basking in the summer sun on one of Northumberland’s famous beaches or hiking to the top of one of the region’s iconic hills, it’s easy to see why the North East is as famous for its breath-taking scenery as it is its buzzing cities.
Going Hiking? Check out our Hiking Collection HERE