12 greatest hikes in Northumberland Nationwide Park
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The best hikes in Northumberland Countrywide Park reveal an underappreciated but totally delightful expanse of English countryside
Amid the historical rolling hills concerning the Scottish border and England’s industrial northeast, you will obtain Northumberland Countrywide Park. England’s most northerly countrywide park is also the the very least visited in Britain and the the very least populated in England and Wales with just above 2,000 people.
Masking an location of 1,049km2, this rugged, isolated landscape is ideal regarded for the UNESCO Entire world Heritage Internet site of Hadrian’s Wall that slices throughout England’s countryside from coast to coast.
But there is a lot more to Northumberland than historical milecastles and crumbling forts. This timeless landscape is residence to the rolling Cheviot Hills straddling the Anglo-Scottish border the UK’s most photographed tree and Kelder Forest, England’s greatest manmade woodland.
As much as wildlife goes, roe deer, wild goats, pink squirrels, moorland gamebirds and the rare black grouse can all be witnessed inside the park.
What’s far more, in 2013, it was specified a Dim Sky Park which indicates it is guarded from artificial light-weight pollution to promote astronomy in the area. In reality, it is the most significant region of guarded evening sky in Europe building it just one of the UK’s finest sites to stargaze.
In excess of 1,100km of trails make the park one of England’s decision going for walks destinations. Below, we share the best hikes in Northumberland Countrywide Park – 12 exclusive approaches to discover England’s remote north.
Most effective hikes in Northumberland Nationwide Park
We have picked out the best hikes in Northumberland Countrywide Park to suit each individual capability, from light undulating day outings to challenging multi-working day treks.
For more information on points to do and where by to stay in Northumberland Nationwide Park, take a look at the national park internet site.
1. Sycamore Gap
Length: 4km (2.5mi)Length: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Quick
In the well of a placing dip together the Hadrian’s Wall Path the moment sat the 2016 English Tree of the Year (of course, there is a tree of the 12 months). Planted in between 1860 and 1890 by the past landowner, John Clayton, the sycamore tree was one particular of the most photographed trees in the nation. You may recognise it from the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Burglars as the sycamore tree that the boy Wulf climbs to evade Person of Gisborne and his gentlemen.
Joe Rey Pictures/Shutterstock The 2016 England tree of the calendar year
Tragically, in 2023, the tree was slice down in what police think was a deliberate act of vandalism. The toppling of the tree led to an outpouring of anger and astonishment. Even though there is some hope nature may perhaps answer and the tree could improve again, this will acquire hundreds of years.
Wandering Wounder/CC 4. The Sycamore Hole tree shortly soon after it was felled
The trail has now develop into something of a pilgrimage but continues to be a pleasant wander in its possess correct irrespective of the loss of the tree. It is also the ideal introduction to Northumberland National Park and its most well known landmark, Hadrian’s Wall. The brief but sweet journey has the bonus of starting up and finishing at the 2 times Brewed Inn, a pub recognized for its house-brewed ales and hearty Northumberland sausages.
2. Greenlee Lough
Length: 5.5km (3.6mi)Length: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Simple
Greenlee Lough is the biggest normal lake in Northumberland and the surrounding wetlands make for an idyllic environment, significantly during spring when the cotton grass and yellow flag iris burst to everyday living.
Purely natural England/CC 2. The biggest all-natural lake in Northumberland
The footpath is also a excellent position for birdwatching. The shallow Greenlee is brimming with perch, which tends to make it an uncomplicated searching ground for osprey. The birds of prey usually cling close to for a few of months for the duration of their yearly migration southwards in late summer season and early autumn.
3. Otterburn Ranges
Distance: 13.5km (8.5mi)Period: 4-5 hoursDifficulty: Moderate
Now we’re chatting. This transborder hike will take in the deserted Otterburn Ranges. There are excellent panoramic vistas to be located on the summit of Brownhart Law, just before the path drops and crosses into Scotland.
PJ_Pictures/Shutterstock The transborder Otterburn Ranges
The pinnacle of the hike is Blackhall Hill summit which delivers the very best views of the neighbouring hills and valleys, onwards across the Cheviot Hills and north into Scotland.
The British navy has employed the assortment for instruction physical exercises for over 100 several years. If red flags are traveling, then there will be sure regions off-boundaries. Constantly adhere to the designated footpaths.
4. ALWINTON AND HARBOTTLE
Length: 7.5km (4.5mi)Length: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Straightforward-moderate
The highlights of this meandering circuit include things like two tranquil villages linked by footpaths crossing unspoiled meadows, and a tranquil region highway passing the ruins of Harbottle Castle.
Dave Head/shutterstock The continues to be of Harbottle Castle
When captured by Robert the Bruce, the 12th-century sandstone Harbottle Castle was developed to neglect the River Coquet and Coquet Gorge. The route passes the Drake Stone (also acknowledged as the Dragon Stone or Draak’s Stone), an outsized erratic boulder thought to have been utilized by druids.
5. Higher Coquetdale
Distance: 14km (9mi)Duration: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Average
The environmentally friendly ridgelines and steep-sided valleys of Higher Coquetdale and the Cheviot Hills are a wonderful action up from the above village route. This wild walk speedily leaves civilisation at the rear of and gains some ground as the path fords its way north toward the Scottish border.
Dave Head/shutterstock This hike quickly leaves civilisation driving
The substantial level of the wander is around Saughy Hill at 465m, from where the Scottish border can be viewed on the northern horizon. As above, the hike begins in the village of Alwinton where Walter Scott wrote his well known novel, Rob Roy, using inspiration from the encompassing countryside.
6. Simonside Hills
Length: 12km (7.5mi)Period: 3-4hoursDifficulty: Moderate
Crags, conifer forests, heather moorland and fairies outline this hike to Simonside summit where a 360° look at of the Cheviot Hills and the North Sea coastline await. En route, numerous historic cairns and distinctive crags mark the numerous high factors of the undulating ridge.
Dave Head/shutterstock The heather moorland of Simonside
The Simonside Hills are also the issue of various folklore legends of ‘fairies’ and ‘little people’, the most well known of which are the Duergar. According to Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the Duergar were being ‘dwarfs who dwell in rocks and hills observed for their energy, subtlety, magical powers, and talent in metallurgy.’ Retain your eyes peeled.
7. Hareshaw Linn Waterfall
Length: 5km (3mi)Length: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy
Waterfalls in no way fall short to delight and Hareshaw Linn is the region’s finest. The quick hike begins at Bellingham, the moment the site of an ironworks.
coxy58/Shutterstock Hareshaw Linn near Bellingham
The path follows the Hareshaw Burn up (river) as it winds its way via a wooded valley. No less than 6 bridges cross the Hareshaw Burn up at several levels ahead of the monitor comes at the 10m-large Hareshaw Linn.
Dependent on the time of 12 months (and day), purple squirrels, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers, badgers and bats can be viewed in the woodland.
8. Higher education Valley
Length: 8km (5mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Average
The broad Higher education Valley is about as tranquil a spot as just one can picture. The flat path roams alongside the University Burn up southwards ahead of crossing the burn up and returning northwards on the adjacent side.
Dave Head/shutterstock Crossing the College Melt away
The river twists and turns its way alongside the wide unspoilt valley with interlocking moorland hills at any time-present on the horizon. The close by native woodlands give shelter for roe deer, hares and wild Cheviot goats, which are usually viewed on the hillside close to Hethpool Mill.
9. Elsdon Melt away
Distance: 4km (2.5mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Effortless
Another wonderful river wander, the Elsdon Melt away route is a common selection for people.
Gary Alford/Shutterstock A birdseye watch of the village of Elsdurn
Points of curiosity consist of the 12th-century church at Elsdurn which is reputed to keep the dead from the 1388 Battle of Otterburn, the relics of a motte-and-bailey castle, a medieval Pele tower (one of various created along the Scottish borders), a pub and an Impromptu Tea Space (that is essentially its name) at The Old School Property.
10. Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn
Distance: 4km (2.5mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Simple-reasonable
The Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn loop path enjoys some pleasant views across the Tarset Valley. En route, there are several ‘bastles’ – fortified farmhouses – that have been created in the course of the 16th and 17th centuries to repel the raids along the Anglo-Scottish border.
Jim McWilliam/CC 2. Black Middens Bastle in close proximity to Greenhaugh
In late spring and summertime, the hay meadows of Boughthill Farm will be in full bloom with an array of wildflowers this sort of as ox-eye daisies, orchids, buttercups, yellow rattle, ragged robins and melancholy thistle all on show.
11. Hadrian’s Wall Path
Length: 35km (22mi)Period: 2 daysDifficulty: Moderate-tricky
The comprehensive 135km (84mi) Hadrian’s Wall Route follows the defensive fortifications of the Roman province of Britannia that outlined the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire. Design started in 122 Advertisement less than the reign of the emperor Hadrian to keep the ‘Barbarians’ to the north at bay.
Dave Head/shutterstock The Hadrian’s Wall Route is one particular of Britain’s most common coast-to-coast treks
These days, the plainly waymarked climbing path is a person of Britain’s most popular coastline-to-coastline routes. The 35km area that traverses Northumberland Nationwide Park could, in theory, be lined in a solitary working day. Having said that, it’s much a lot more fulfilling to distribute the training course across at the very least two times.
The path usually takes in Sycamore Gap as well as a appreciable chunk of the Northumberland Pennine Way.
12. Pennine Way
Length: 102km (64mi)Duration: 4 daysDifficulty: Tricky
Opened in 1965, Britain’s oldest countrywide path crosses some of the best upland landscapes in England. It is by significantly the most renowned and a single of the most preferred of Britain’s lengthy-distance footpaths.
Dave Head/shutterstock The Pennine Way follows element of the Hadrian’s Wall Route
The Pennine Way commences in the Peak District and runs 431km (268mi) northwards, all the way throughout the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, to the village of Kirk Yetholm, just inside of the Scottish border.
The closing section passes via Northumberland National Park and will take in a lot of of the earlier mentioned hikes which include a considerable portion of the Hadrian’s Wall Route. In undertaking so, it showcases the quite ideal of the national park from the historic web sites in the south to the Cheviot Hills to the north and almost everything in concerning.
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Lead image: Dave Head/Shutterstock
