Plans are under consideration for a network of signposted trails between a number of rural Northumberland landmarks and beauty spots.
Aiming to provide new opportunities for experiential travel and promoting safe cycling, it is hoped that The Hadrian's Raider Trails Project will create a 350km network of signposted trails interlinking hubs from where people can start their outdoor adventures in the county. Said hubs will be established at key entry points including Stonehaugh, Kielder, Bellingham, Bewcastle (in Cumbria) and Byrness.
Each hub would provide parking, simple infrastructure such as track pumps, secure storage, and access to water and simple provisions if possible. One of the long term targets of the project is that it will be able to be used by disabled people, as well as horse riders, cyclists and walkers.
Read more: How Kielder Water was officially opened 40 years ago - and 10 facts about the reservoir
Should the project go ahead, the new waymarked trails could be an exciting addition for those who wanted to explore further than Hadrian's Cycleway (National Cycle Route 72), which broadly follows the route of Hadrian's Wall. The Hadrian's Raider Trails project also builds on the growing popularity for riding off road and gravel trails, for example, the great north trail, launched by Cycling UK in 2019.
The project team, which includes Alex MacLennan of Forestry England, is planning to complete the first phase ready to launch the network in spring 2023. Later phases of the project will seek to encourage children and young adults to enjoy the Hadrian’s Raider Trails, and develop multi-day cycle adventures using the existing bothy network and new camping shelters.
Plans are already under way to make Northumberland a 'premier' cycling destination, with a Northumberland Cycling Charter being created for businesses to demonstrate they have the requirements of a 'Cycling Friendly' establishment, while the Northumberland Coast AONB has been named as one of the UK's top cyclist-friendly locations.
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The project is also considering how it can improve accessibility for disabled people. There may be integration with public transport links to offer sustainable travel to and from the trail hubs.
Ahead of the possible launch next spring, eight cyclists took part in a ride between Stonehaugh and Kielder Castle to understand the potential for creating such a network, including members of the project team and Hexham, Tynedale and Ponteland MP Guy Opperman. The ride traversed a forest track across to Tower Knowe before using the Lakeside Way to ride to Kielder Castle, where the group met with Forestry England to discuss implementing the project.
Dave Buchan from Bike4Health said: "We are already looking to bring our first school group to explore this fantastic area later in the year, the project opens a vast area of traffic free trails that can be used by anyone, while Paul Snedker added: "This area offers the potential to add exciting new products to our cycle holiday portfolio in Northumberland and we are committed to working with the Project team to realise the potential."
Guy Opperman said: "I learned a lot about the project, the opportunity it presents, and it reinforced how fortunate we are to have such a fabulous landscape available to us. Northumberland needs to invest in improving cycling and walking infrastructure to boost the visitor economy and enhance the health and wellbeing of its residents."
Read next:
- Northumberland coast named one of the UK's top cyclist-friendly locations
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What is a bothy and where can you find them in Northumberland?
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History to be made as Durham and Sunderland to host stage three of this year's Tour of Britain
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From hostels to castles: Where to stay near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland
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