Coast and Castles and the Pennine Cycleway North. – 160 Miles

 This beautiful trip really gives you the best of all worlds.  The glorious Northumberland coastline with its breathtaking views followed by the border country rich in cultural history and then the splendour of the Cheviot hills and the Northern Pennines.

 Day One – 34 miles

 We choose to start the ride at the Hauxley Nature reserve missing the heavy industrial  Blyth and Newcastle area further to the south.  We pass through the pleasant town of Amble and our view of the first castle on our route. The route then meanders pleasantly to Alnmouth a scenic resort before hugging the coast towards Craster (famous for its smoked kippers).  We then veer inland before coming back to the coast at Seahouses and our first overnight stop at the very scenic and much photographed Bamburgh .

 Day Two – 53 miles

 A beautiful start from Bamburgh then allows us some gentle undulating cycling to Berwick on Tweed in time for lunch.. After Berwick the route enters Scotland over the river Tweed for a short while before returning back to England.  The area is steeped in history of days gone by.  Our overnight stop is at Wooler on the edge of the Northumberland National Park.

 Day Three- 46 Miles

 Gentle undulating and quiet roads pass through the attractive Northumberland Villages of Powburn, Glanton and Whittingham.  The route then follows the River Aln to Alnwinton at the base of the Cheviot Hills.  The route is now in the Northumberland National Park with its dramatic scenery as we head towards Bellingham and our third overnight stop.

 Day Four- 27 miles

 The final day takes us through the Wark forest on traffic free tracks. As we emerge from the forest we get our first view of Hadrians wall.  A mid morning stop at the aptly named Once Brewed will keep those legs going to our final destination “Haltwhistle” the centre of Britain.

 Well done you have completed the cycle ride.