Best Walks In Northumberland
The Best Walks in Northumberland — Explored From Forest View Holiday Park
If you’re looking for the best walks in Northumberland, you’ve come to the right place. Nestled on the banks of the River Rede, bordering England’s largest forest and Northern Europe’s biggest man-made lake, Forest View Holiday Park sits at the very heart of some of Northumberland’s most breathtaking walking country. Lace up your boots because adventure is right on your doorstep.
Why Northumberland Is A Walker’s Paradise
Northumberland is one of England’s most unspoiled counties. With over 1,900 hiking routes, a vast national park, dramatic coastline and miles of ancient Roman history underfoot, it’s no surprise that walkers return here time and again. Whether you’re after a gentle family stroll, a dog-friendly ramble or a challenging all-day hike, Northumberland has a trail for every ability and every mood.
And when you’re staying at Forest View Holiday Park, you don’t even need to travel far to find them.
- The Pennine Way — Right on Your Doorstep
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Distance: As long as you like
One of England’s most iconic long-distance trails runs directly alongside Forest View Holiday Park, making it the perfect starting point for a Pennine Way adventure. Step off your decking and onto one of Britain’s most celebrated walking routes, taking in sweeping moorland views, the wild Northumberland landscape and the kind of peace and quiet that’s increasingly hard to find.
You don’t have to tackle the whole thing. A few miles out and back from the park makes for a spectacular morning walk with the family or the dog.
- Kielder Water Circular Walk
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: Varies — multiple routes available
Just a short drive from Forest View, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a walker’s dream. The reservoir — Northern Europe’s largest man-made lake — is surrounded by miles of well-maintained trails suitable for all abilities. The lakeside circular route offers stunning water views, towering forest scenery and the chance to spot incredible wildlife including otters, red squirrels and ospreys along the way.
This is a fantastic option for families with young children, offering a mostly flat and easy to follow route with plenty of open space to explore.
- Hareshaw Linn Waterfall Walk, Bellingham
Difficulty: Easy Distance: 3 miles (return) Nearest Town: Bellingham
One of Northumberland’s most popular and rewarding short walks, the Hareshaw Linn trail leads you through beautiful ancient woodland along a stone path to a stunning 9-metre waterfall hidden deep in a gorge. It’s a magical walk at any time of year, but particularly spectacular in autumn when the woodland turns gold.
This is a favourite with families and dog walkers alike — easy underfoot, full of character and completely unforgettable. Bellingham is just a short drive from Forest View, making this a perfect half-day outing.
- Hadrian’s Wall — Steel Rigg & Sycamore Gap
Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 6.1 miles Starting Point: Steel Rigg Car Park
No guide to the best walks in Northumberland would be complete without Hadrian’s Wall. The Steel Rigg to Housesteads Fort route is one of the most popular hikes in the entire county — and for good reason. Walking alongside one of the most remarkable feats of Roman engineering, with dramatic views stretching for miles in every direction, this is a walk that will stay with you long after you’ve returned to your lodge.
Sycamore Gap, made famous by the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, sits along this route and is one of the most photographed spots in all of England. A truly unmissable Northumberland experience.
- Simonside Hills
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Distance: 5 miles (circular) Starting Point: Simonside Car Park, near Rothbury
For those looking for a more challenging walk with serious views as the reward, the Simonside Hills deliver in spectacular fashion. The circular route takes you through ancient woodland, past Bronze Age history and up to the fell sandstone summit ridge, where panoramic views stretch across the Coquet Valley and beyond.
This is one of Northumberland’s most atmospheric walks, wild, dramatic and completely off the beaten track. Worth every step of the climb.
- Alnmouth to Warkworth Coastal Walk
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: 6 miles (one way)
For a complete change of scenery, the Northumberland coastline is just over an hour from Forest View and is well worth the drive. The Alnmouth to Warkworth walk takes you through a stunning variety of landscapes including riverside paths, sandy beaches and coastal views, finishing at the ruins of the magnificent 12th century Warkworth Castle.
Northumberland’s coast is one of England’s best kept secrets, with wide open beaches, historic fishing villages and the kind of dramatic scenery that takes your breath away.
- Bamburgh Castle & Budle Point Walk
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: 4 miles (circular)
Few sights in England are as dramatic as Bamburgh Castle rising from the Northumberland coastline, and this circular walk puts you right at its feet. The route takes you along rocky and sandy coastal paths with the iconic Norman castle as your backdrop, before looping back through the charming village of Bamburgh.
Suitable for all ages and abilities, this is one of those walks that simply never gets old.
Make Forest View Your Base For Exploring Northumberland
Staying at Forest View Holiday Park puts you perfectly placed to explore all these incredible walks and so much more. With Kielder Forest, Kielder Water, Northumberland National Park and the Pennine Way all within easy reach, there’s no better base for a walking holiday in the North East.
And when you return from a day on the trails? Your own holiday home is waiting, warm, comfortable and completely yours.
Thinking about making this your permanent base to explore the region? Explore our range of holiday homes for sale in Northumberland and discover what owning at Forest View could look like for you.
Forest View Holiday Park is located in Cottonshopeburnfoot, Northumberland, NE19 1TF. For more information, call us on 07811 426856 or visit forestviewholidaypark.com
