Northumberland is home to Hadrian’s wall, 100km of coastline and 70 castles. It is also the least densely populated county in the UK so its the perfect place for peaceful coastal and countryside walks. Here are four routes for walks in Northumberland, all under 2 hours to get you started!
Walk along Hadrian’s Wall & Sycamore Gap
Sycamore Gap along Hadrian’s Wall has become an iconic landmark of Northumberland. This walk is around 2 hours and give you a view of the famous Sycamore Tree from both sides of the wall.
Park at Steel Rigg Car Park and walk through the gate by the ticket machine. Head East and follow the trail along the wall. After the tree, take the path closest to the wall for a fantastic view of Crag Lough. Once you reach the farmhouse, take the path through the farm rather than following the main path (it is a public footpath – don’t worry!). From there you will be walking through fields, parallel to the path you walked previously, giving you a new perspective of the scenery.
Parking: Park in Steel Rigg Car Park. This is a pay and display carpark and is fairly small so I’d recommend getting there early before it fills up.
Nearby: Further along Hadrian’s wall to the East, you’ll find Hexham, an old market town with an Abbey dating back to the 11th century.
Walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh
This walk shows off all the features Northumberland is known for – beaches, castles and countryside. Park up in Craster and wander into the village and past the harbour. From there, the coastal walk leads directly to Dunstaburgh Castle. After the castle, follow the beach for a short while before turning left to walk back towards Craster, passing holiday cottages and farmland.
On your way back, you can take a short cut across the fields by turning left at the farm on Dunstan Square, just before Owl Cottage.
Along this route, you’ll pass several pillboxes. These concrete huts were constructed in World War II as a network of defence against a potential invasion.
Northumberland Travel Prints
Walks in Thrunton Woods
This popular site for Mountain Bikers also has several walking trails. Explore the woods to find views over Northumberland and a boulder from the last ice age. If you have time afterwards, drive to the nearby town of Rothbury.
Parking: Parking is free, there is a small car park by the main entrance to the woods, visitors can also park along the road.
Nearby: Cragside, a sprawling National Trust Property, once owned by Lord Armstrong is just a short drive away. The property features expansive grounds and a manor house which was the first in the world to be powered by hydro-electricity. The town of Rothbury is also not too far away, and a great spot to grab some lunch.
Walk to Linhope Spout
If you’re after a walk in Northumberland with a waterfall – look no further than Linhope Spout! Linhope Spout can be a little hard to find, there isn’t a dedicated car park or many signs. Park up along the road by Hartside Farm. Shortly after the farm you should see a sign showing the trail. This will take you past a tiny hamlet, through fields and woodland and eventually to the stream and waterfall.
There isn’t exactly a circular route as you will mostly double back on yourself on the way back. However, with just 35 minutes each way to find a hidden gem in Northumberland, it’s worth including.
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