Access at Kielder Water & Forest Park

As most visitors know, Kielder Water & Forest Park suffered significant damage from in November 2021 and again in January and February 2022.

Our teams are working as fast as they can, but in some areas the size and complexity of the damage and remote locations is going to take months to fix. Storm damaged trees can be unstable and dangerous. We need to make trees safe, within two tree-lengths of all of our trails. Unfortunately this means some facilities remain closed. 

IMPORTANT NOTE - while sections of the Lakeside Way are now accessible, please note that the full 26 miles is not accessible. See the map/attachment below. 

As of 21st June 2022, the section of Lakeside Way between Kielder Waterside and Hawkhirst is temporarily closed. This is to allow inspection work to be carried out on Mounces Bridge to the west of Kielder Waterside. We will update on social media when more information is available. Signs are in place to advise visitors not to use this section. 

Long term trail closures at Kielder into late 2022/2023 are now predicted to be only Lonesome Pine mtb trail and Bastle forest walk at Sidwood with all other routes being planned to be opened during 2022.

We ask that everyone stays on the main forest tracks and adhere to all information/ warning signs and barriers at all times. We thank you for your patience and co-operation.

Here is the full list of what's open, diversion in place or remains closed.