The 12 best hikes in Northumberland National Park

The 12 best hikes in Northumberland National Park

The best walks in Northumberland National Park reveal an underappreciated but hugely scenic expanse of the English countryside

Amid the ancient rolling hills between the Scottish border and England's industrial north-east lies Northumberland National Park. England's northernmost national park is also the least visited in the UK and the least populated in England and Wales, with just over 2,000 residents.

This rugged, remote landscape covers an area of ​​1,049 km2 and is best known for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hadrian's Wall, which runs from coast to coast across England's countryside.

But Northumberland has more to offer than ancient milecastles and crumbling fortresses. This timeless landscape is home to the rolling Cheviot Hills on the Anglo-Scottish border; the most photographed tree in Britain; and Kelder Forest, England's largest man-made woodland.

In terms of wildlife, deer, wild goats, squirrels, moorland game birds and the rare black grouse can be seen in the park.

Additionally, it was declared a Dark Sky Park in 2013, meaning it is protected from artificial light pollution to promote astronomy in the region. In fact, it is the largest area of ​​protected night sky in Europe, making it one of the best places in the UK for stargazing.

Over 1,100 km of hiking trails make the park one of England's most popular hiking destinations. Here we share the best walks in Northumberland National Park - 12 unique ways to explore England's remote north.

Best hikes in Northumberland National Park

We've picked the best walks in Northumberland National Park to suit every ability, from gentle, hilly day trips to challenging multi-day hikes.

For more information about activities and accommodation in Northumberland National Park, visit the national park website.

1. Sycamore Gap

Distance: 4km (2.5mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Sycamore Gap is one of the best hikes in Northumberland National Park">Joe Rey Photography/ShutterstockThe English Tree of the Year 2016

The 2016 English Tree of the Year (yes, there is a Tree of the Year) stands in the fountain of a prominent depression along Hadrian’s Wall Path. You may recognize it from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as the sycamore tree that the boy Wulf climbs to avoid Guy of Gisborne and his men.

This pleasant walk is the perfect introduction to Northumberland National Park and its most famous landmark, Hadrian's Wall.

The short but sweet journey has the added benefit of beginning and ending at the Twice Brewed Inn, a pub known for its home-brewed ales and hearty Northumberland sausages.

2. Greenlee Lake

Distance: 5.5km (3.6mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Greenlee Lough">Natural England/CC 2.0The largest natural lake in Northumberland

Greenlee Lough is the largest natural lake in Northumberland and the surrounding wetlands create an idyllic setting, particularly in spring when the cotton grass and yellow iris come to life.

The footpath is also a great place for bird watching. The shallow Greenlee is full of bass, making it an easy hunting ground for ospreys. The birds of prey often stay for a few weeks on their annual migration south in late summer and early autumn.

3. Otterburn routes

Distance: 13.5 km (8.5 miles)Duration: 4-5 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="Otterburn Ranges in Northumberland National Park">PJ_Fotografie/ShutterstockThe transboundary Otterburn Ranges

Now let's talk. This cross-border walk takes you to the deserted Otterburn Ranges. There are excellent panoramic views at the summit of Brownhart Law before the path descends and heads into Scotland.

The highlight of the walk is the summit of Blackhall Hill, which offers the best views of the neighboring hills and valleys, further over the Cheviot Hills and north into Scotland.

The British military has used the range for training exercises for over 100 years. When red flags fly, certain areas are off limits. Always stay on the designated footpaths.

4. ALWINTON AND HARBOTTLE

Distance: 7.5 km (4.5 miles)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Easy to moderate

alt="Harbottle Castle">Dave Head/ShutterstockThe remains of Harbottle Castle

Highlights of this winding route include two quiet villages connected by footpaths that cross pristine meadows and a quiet country road that passes the ruins of Harbottle Castle. Once conquered by Robert the Bruce, Harbottle Castle was built of 12th-century sandstone overlooking the River Coquet and Coquet Gorge.

The route passes the Drake Stone (also known as the Dragon Stone or Draak's Stone), an oversized boulder believed to have been used by Druids.

5. Upper Coquetdale

Distance: 14km (9mi)Duration: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Moderate

alt="Upper Coquetdale is one of the best walks in Northumberland National Park">Dave Head/ShutterstockThis hike quickly leaves civilization behind

The verdant ridgelines and steep valleys of Upper Coquetdale and the Cheviot Hills are a wonderful step up from the above village route. This wild trek quickly leaves civilization behind and gains some ground as the path winds north towards the Scottish border.

The highlight of the walk is near Saughy Hill at 465m, from where the Scottish border can be seen on the northern horizon. As described above, the walk begins in the village of Alwinton, where Walter Scott wrote his famous novel Rob Roy, drawing inspiration from the surrounding countryside.

6. Simonside Hill

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)Duration: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="Simonside Hills in Northumberland National Park">Dave Head/ShutterstockThe heathland of Simonside

Cliffs, coniferous forests, heather moors and fairies define this walk to the Simonside summit, where 360° views of the Cheviot Hills and the North Sea coast await. Along the way, various ancient cairns and striking rocks mark the numerous highlights of the hilly ridge.

The Simonside Hills are also the subject of several folklore legends of "fairies" and "little people", the most famous of which are the Duergar. According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the Duergar were "dwarves who dwell in rocks and hills; known for their strength, subtlety, magical powers, and skill in metallurgy." Keep your eyes peeled.

7. Hareshaw Linn Waterfall

Distance: 5km (3mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Hareshaw Linn is one of the best walks in Northumberland National Park">coxy58/ShutterstockHareshaw Linn near Bellingham

Waterfalls never fail to amaze and Hareshaw Linn is the most beautiful in the region. The short hike begins in Bellingham, where an ironworks once stood.

The path follows the Hareshaw Burn (river) as it winds through a wooded valley. No fewer than six bridges cross the Hareshaw Burn at various points before the route reaches the 10m high Hareshaw Linn.

Depending on the season (and time of day), squirrels, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers, badgers and bats can be seen in the forest.

8. University Valley

Distance: 8km (5mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Moderate

alt="College Valley is one of the best walks in Northumberland National Park">Dave Head/ShutterstockCrossing the College Burn

The broad College Valley is as quiet a place as you can imagine. The flat path heads south along the College Burn before crossing the Burn and returning north on the adjacent side.

The river meanders through the vast untouched valley with interlocking moorland hills ever present on the horizon. The nearby native woodland provides shelter for deer, hares and wild Cheviot goats, which are often seen on the hills near Hethpool Mill.

9. Elsdon Burn

Distance: 4km (2.5mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Bird's eye view of the village of Elsdürn">Gary Alford/ShutterstockBird's eye view of the village of Elsdürn

Another wonderful river walk, the Elsdon Burn Route is a popular option for families. Sights include the 12th-century church at Elsdurn, said to contain the dead of the 1388 Battle of Otterburn, the relics of a motte-and-bailey castle, a medieval Pele Tower (one of several built along the Scottish border). , a pub and an Impromptu Tea Room (that's what it's actually called).

10. Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn

Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy to moderate

alt="Black Middens Bastle near Greenhaugh is one of the best walks in Northumberland National Park">Jim McWilliam/CC 2.0Black Middens Craft near Greenhaugh

The Greenhaugh and Thorneyburn Loop Trail offers some wonderful views over the Tarset Valley. Along the way there are several 'bastles', fortified farmhouses built in the 16th and 17th centuries to repel raids along the Anglo-Scottish border.

In late spring and summer, Boughthill Farm's hayfields are in full bloom with an array of wildflowers such as daisies, orchids, buttercups, yellow rattlesnake, robin and weeping thistle all on display.

11. Hadrian's Wall Path

Distance: 35km (22mi)Duration: 2 daysDifficulty: Moderately difficult

alt=”Hadrian’s Wall Path and the best walks in Northumberland National Park lead the way”>Dave Head/ShutterstockHadrian’s Wall Path is one of Britain’s most popular coast-to-coast walks

The entire 135 km (84 miles) of Hadrian's Wall Path follows the defenses of the Roman province of Britannia, which formed the northernmost border of the Roman Empire. Construction began in 122 AD under Emperor Hadrian to keep the “barbarians” in the north at bay.

Today the well-marked trail is one of Britain's most popular coastal routes. The 35km section that traverses Northumberland National Park could theoretically be completed in a single day. However, it is much more pleasant to spread the course over at least two days.

The path passes through Sycamore Gap and a significant part of the Northumberland Pennine Way.

12. Pennine Way

Distance: 102km (64mi)Duration: 4 daysDifficulty: Difficult

alt="The Pennine Way follows part of Hadrian's Wall Path">Dave Head/ShutterstockThe Pennine Way follows part of Hadrian's Wall Path

Britain's oldest national footpath opened in 1965 and traverses some of England's most beautiful highland landscapes. It is by far the most famous and one of the most popular long-distance walks in Britain.

The Pennine Way begins in the Peak District and runs 431 km (268 miles) north, all the way across the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District to the village of Kirk Yetholm, just over the Scottish border.

The final section runs through Northumberland National Park and includes many of the walks mentioned above, including a significant section of Hadrian's Wall Path. It showcases the best of the national park from the ancient sites in the south to the Cheviot Hills in the north and everything in between.

alt="The 12 Best Hikes in Northumberland National Park Pinterest Pin">

Main image: Dave Head/Shutterstock

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