This is a superb ultra trail starting and finishing at Kielder Castle. The route features sections along the  Kielder Viaduct, Bakethin Reservoir nature reserve, Bellingburn Valley, sections of the Lakeside Way multi-user trail & the blue graded bike trail with some great sections of twisting singletrack.

Statistics

1

day +

1,365

m

1,365

m

6

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Difficult

Description

https://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/kielder-ultra Starting out from Kielder castle, the initial loop heads out along the forest drive before ascending towards Ravenshill Moor.

The trail climbs gradually with superb views opening out across the whole valley.

A short descent leads to the secluded Archer Cleugh area, before following the forest roads to Castle Hill & Devil's Lapful, one of few surviving Neolithic long cairns in Northumberland.

Savour the views across the expanse of Kielder Water before some awesome twisting singletrack & exhillarating descents on the blue graded mtb trail. CP1 Wainhope Moor is reached soon after, providing the opportunity to fill up your water bottle at the hydration station before the steady climb up to the high point of the course at 1,394', just below Monkside Fell.

All of that climbing is rewarded with some long gradual desecents on the forest roads around the Bellingburn & Hawkhope areas of the forest, eventually leading to Kielder Dam & the welcome refreshment point at CP2. The route now follows the Lakeside Way multi user trail along it's scenic northern shoreline.

This undulating section weaves its way around the many inlets & bays of Kielder Water.

Enjoy the views across the tranquil Bakethin Reservoir, a designated nature reserve, keeping a lookout for Ospreys feeding around here. Continue following the Lakeside Way to cross the historic Kielder Viaduct, with Kielder Castle now visible through the trees amidst the backdrop of Deadwater Fell.

A short final section through Viaduct Wood alongside the North Tyne river, leads up to Kielder Castle.