Mountain biking

This rugged wilderness is MTB heaven. Experience some of the best singletrack trails in the UK with breathtaking views.

Kielder is a village of residential areas. Please respect those who live there:
Park in designated car parks only, cycle on designated cycle trails and roads - please do not cycle on pavements or paths and remember to:
Follow the Forestry Cycling Code and respect others and wildlife.

Following these simple rules will ensure a safe and pleasant experience for all.

Take a look at the trail grading information to discover which colour trail is right for you.

If you are interested in being a volunteer trail builder, click here.

Interactive map

- click on a trail name to find out more...

You can also try the Castlewood Training Loop at Kielder Castle. It is packed full of short trail sections that will give you a taste of what the different grades of trails are like to ride out there in the wider Kielder Water & Forest Park.

- Click on the tiles below to see maps of the trails (these tiles are the same way markers you will follow onsite)

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Green trails 

- Easy and suitable for beginner and novice cyclists The Borderline trail starts from Kielder Village and is perfect for all the family. This cycle trail follows the former Border Counties Railway. Download now >>

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Blue trails

- moderate and suitable for intermediate cyclists and mountain bikers The Osprey trail starts from Kielder Castle and is a great progression for those who have used the Lakeside Way and are looking for more of a challenge. Download now >>

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Red trails 

(For the start of Bloody Bush and Lonesome Pine trails follow signs for Lakeside Way south shore)

	- difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers  The Lonesome Pine trail starts from Kielder Castle. It offers thrilling descents as well as the UK’s longest, one metre wide, wooden boardwalk of its kind. Download now >>
	- difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers  The Bloody Bush trail starts via the Lonesome Pine trail. It links Kielder Water & Forest Park to the Scottish Border and the 7 Stanes bike centre at Newcastleton. Download now >>
	- difficult and suitable only for proficient mountain bikers  The Deadwater red trail starts from Kielder Castle. It takes in the breathtaking Deadwater Summit – on a clear day you can see 360° views. Download now >>

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Black trails

29.02.12 The Deadwater black trail from Devil's Elbow to the Forest Drive (the old up and over route) will be closed for a couple of months due to harvesting work in the area. Always check which trails are open by calling 01434 220 242 before you set off of your journey.

- severe and only suitable for expert mountain bikers The Deadwater black trail starts via the Deadwater red trail. It is a highly technical trail that includes epic climbing and thrilling descending. Download now >>

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Cross border trail

30.04.12 The Crossborder route via Scots Knowe is closed between Dykecrofts and Willowbog due to harvesting work, which is expected to finish in summer 2013. All users should use the Crossborder route via Bloody Bush in both directions.

The Cross Border trail starts using Lakeside Way at Kielder Castle, you can ride the trail fully by forest road or via singletrack sections on Lonesome Pine, Bloody Bush and 7stanes Newcastleton. At Newcastleton Forest, the trail links into 7stanes Singletrack, then back into England you can finish off the ride on Lonesome Pine singletrack trail sections. Not for the fainthearted this is a cracking days ride, or why not make a night of it in Scotland and stay over at Newcastleton? Look out for the historical Bloody Bush Toll on the border- have you got your passport at the ready?? Visit the website >>

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MTB Trials Park

Packed full of advanced level features, the Trials Park is an ideal spot for riders looking to push their skill levels, style it up, learn new tricks or just hang out and ride with friends. It's located right next to the Kielder Castle car park.

The park is graded ‘orange bike park’ with a great range of features, small and large. Check out the info panels on site before riding. In addition to helmet and gloves, body armour is strongly recommended!

Riders tend to practise 'session' short sections rather than riding a whole trail in one go. 'Sessioning' is positively encouraged, but please use the Deadwater Outward trail that runs alongside the Trials Park rather than the actual trails to push back up.

Bike hire

There are two bike hire facilities in Kielder Water & Forest Park - Purple Mountain and The Bike Place Kielder.

Besides offering a huge range of bikes for hire, Purple Mountain also stages an exciting array of events, from night rides using powerful cycle lamps to family sessions and outings aimed at women, school children and corporate clients. For more information click here.

The Bike Place Kielder has an exciting new location at the previous Kielder garage site. Its new home is a lot easier to find and as well as having an array of bikes on offer, the Bike Place is continuing its popular marathon series. For more information click here.  

What you said...

"Yesterday I went cycling on the new Osprey trail in Kielder. I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciated the new trail - exactly the sort of grade of facilities for cyclists you could develop further. While the red trails are more intense and just as much fun, the blue route allows a much more flowing style of xc ride and so appeals to a broader range. Well done forestry people, lets see if you can make more of the same." July 2010