In a region so full of history and culture, there’s no better way to explore the North East than on your bike. From rugged coastal paths to peaceful countryside lanes, this region offers some of the most scenic and varied cycling routes in the UK. Whether you’re a frequent rider looking to experience some more challenging climbs or a casual cyclist in search of a leisurely route with stunning views, the North East has something to suit every riding ability.
To provide you with inspiration for your next ride, we’ve rounded up some of the very best cycle routes across the North East that showcase its historic landmarks, charming villages and breathtaking coastlines. Perfect for road cyclists, mountain bikers, or everyday riders, these cycle routes will encourage you to get out there and discover the North East from the saddle.
Cycle routes with coastal views
The North East offers some of the most spectacular coastal views in the UK. From the windy cliffs of Northumberland to the golden beaches of Seaham and Sunderland, one of the best ways to take in these views is on a bike. The coastline is incredibly accommodating to cyclists, with a mixture of purpose-built cycle paths and long-distance trails making it easy to cruise along the coast and admire the scenery. The best time of year to explore these routes is summer so you can truly make the most of the views in pleasant weather, with less wind compared to off-seasons.
Coast and Castles Cycle Route
There are many popular cycle routes along the Northumberland coast to choose from, with one of the most popular being the Coast and Castles route. The Coast to Castles route links Newcastle and Edinburgh, providing excellent views of Northumberland's coastline and castles such as Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh. This route is relatively flat, making it a good option for cyclists of all abilities looking for a long-distance cycling experience. This idyllic route spans 192 miles, intertwining staggering sea views, historic castles and coastal islands.
Tynemouth and Blyth Loop
If you’re looking for a shorter cycle route that sticks to more local areas, the route from Tynemouth to Blyth is ideal. Spanning 25.7 miles, this shorter route is an easy ride, great for any fitness levels. This route starts in North Shields, taking you along past St. Mary’s Lighthouse, all the way up to Seaton Sluice and then eventually to the stunning Blyth coastline. The terrain on this route is mainly paved paths on the way up to Blyth, but you experience more difficult terrain on the route back through countryside roads.
Woodland cycle routes
The North East truly shines when it comes to its woodland areas, with endless amounts of forests rich in history, from ancient woods to plantation forests with sweeping views of pine trees, hidden lakes and glimpses of wildlife. Whether you're after a peaceful, family-friendly outing or an epic, rugged ride, the woodlands in the North East have many cycle routes across varying terrains for cyclists of all abilities. Autumn and spring are some of the best seasons to explore these trails, with the blooming of wildflowers and changing leaves making for an idyllic cycling backdrop.
Kielder Forest
One of England's largest forests, located in the heart of Northumberland, this woodland area surrounds the Kielder Water reservoir. Known for its expansive landscape, this cycle route includes extensive forest trails and reservoir views with over 100 miles of trails to choose from to suit varying abilities and distances.
For beginners and families, the Borderline trail is a short 7 mile route through Kielder forest that follows the former railway line, making it relatively flat and easy to ride. If you’d prefer a longer trail, the Osprey trail is a 16 mile blue-grade trail that starts at Kielder castle and spans 17 miles around the water, on mixed surfaces of forest roads and single-track sections.
Hamsterly Forest
If you’re looking for more of an off-road experience, Hamsterly Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling. Giving you the option to ride through over 2,000 hectares of forest, this woodland is the perfect place to get your adrenaline pumping with countless miles of forest to explore. For those with basic off-roading skills, the Squirrel Chaser route offers a smooth figure-of-8 trail with views of the beck that lead to a fun singletrack of 5.25 miles.
For a harder route, the Big 'Un red mountain bike trail includes steep climbs and water crossings with epic views of the forest. This trail spans 13.25 miles and includes occasional technical singletrack roads, therefore is best suited to a more experienced rider with good off-roading skills.
Cycle routes with river views
The North East is famous for its iconic bridges, and what better way to explore them than riding along the river taking in the impressive architecture and scenic views of the city. From the River Tyne taking you through the heart of the city to the outskirts to the River Wear running through Sunderland and County Durham, there are many peaceful cycle routes that run along the riverside and pass iconic landmarks.
Tyne Circular Route
One of the most popular riverside cycle routes is the Tyne Circular which covers 21 miles starting from Newcastle and working its way along the Tyne to the quaint village of Wylam and loops back round to Newcastle. This route uses parts of the National Cycle Route 72 and uses traffic-free, paved paths, including old railway lines and quayside promenades, offering a mix of scenic views and historical monuments. With plenty of delightful places to stop and rest along the way, this route is suitable for cyclists of varying skill levels, with the terrain mostly flat with occasional inclines.
Newcastle to Tynemouth
An easy route that provides views of both the city, river and coast, follows part of the National Cycle Network route 72 from Newcastle all the way to Tynemouth. This route is perfect for those new to distance cycling, with the route spanning 12 miles on manageable terrain, which takes on average 2 hours to complete. Taking you along a pleasant path that offers views of the city and coast, with many options to stop and explore local areas along the way.
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