14 Northumberland Walks and Hikes you might now know about

Using our guide to Northumberland walks, look forward to striding across secluded hillforts and open moorland, soaking up unspoiled vistas at every turn.

It may be one of the less-visited UK national parks, but its beauty captivates tourists all year round, with Hadrian’s Wall, the Cheviot Hills and the glittering lake of Kielder Water just waiting to be explored.

There are multiple ways to experience Northumberland’s grandeur, from peaceful family walks to lengthy excursions needing proper clothing and planning.

Plan a perfect day out and discover the 14 best Northumberland walks and hikes…

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1. Simonside Hills

First on our list of Northumberland walks is a moderate route around the beautiful Simonside Hills.

There are several walking routes you can take around Simonside Hills, offering a rural adventure for all types of walkers. Our recommendation is a moderate route, which can take up to 3 hours to complete.

This circular walk includes some short, steep sections to the summit of Simonside. Discover a beautiful 360-degree view of the Cheviot Hills and the North Sea coastline from the top of the hill.

Wildlife can also be found in the area, including curlews, red grouses, mountain bumblebees, emperor moths, and even red squirrels. With endless wildlife and far-reaching views, it’s unsurprising that the Simonside Hills are one of the best walks in the UK!

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3 hours/4.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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2. Breamish Valley Hillfort Trail

The Breamish Valley Hillfort Trail is one of the most popular Northumberland walks there is. Take a vigorous hill hike with breath-taking views through five hillforts. There are several steep hills on this path, and the hilltops are particularly exposed during bad weather.

For those who enjoy panoramic views, this is one of the best hikes in the Northumberland National Park. Explore the ruins of Brough Law and Cochrane Pike as you meander across the historic environment and enjoy spectacular views of the park.

The surrounding hills have been listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, meaning they are protected by law from all kinds of harm.

Note: Respect this ancient landscape by leaving the stones in the same condition as you found them and make sure you have adequate walking boots, warm waterproof gear, and snacks with you.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3.5 hours/4.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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3. Otterburn Ranges

On this gorgeous trek across the Otterburn Ranges, you’ll see a plethora of species. It is a wild and unspoiled section of the UK, comprising about a fifth of the Northumberland National Park and is often used for military drills.

Pursue a high-level trek across the Otterburn Ranges to see wild goats, moorland birds, and, if you’re lucky, a rare black grouse, which can be found only in the park. Among the many other animals that flourish in this wild natural landscape are feral goats, skylarks and buzzards.

Note: Before you go, review the Access Area Guidelines, and keep in mind that access to some places are restricted for live ammunition firing when red flags are flying. 

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4.5 hours/8.2 miles
Parking: Yes

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4. Sycamore Gap

Next on our list of Northumberland walks is the pretty route to Sycamore Gap. With a great deal of popularity among walkers, this circular route begins at Housesteads Roman Fort, one of the most important historic sites on Hadrian’s Wall.

From there, the route passes through woodland and open countryside to reach the iconic landmark. Stop to admire the famous sycamore tree that grows in the gap created by vast amounts of meltwater flowing beneath the ice sheets that once covered the area.

Enjoy a walk along Hadrian’s Wall before returning to the Twice Brewed Inn for a full pub feast at the end of your journey. Alternatively, visit one of these dog-friendly pubs in Northumberland during your trip.

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1-2 hours/2.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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5. Greenlee Lough

The best way to experience Northumberland’s largest natural lake is to walk to it via the surrounding wetlands, pastures and woodlands. Binoculars at the ready-to spot a whole flock of wetlands birds!

Greenlee Lough is the biggest natural lake in Northumberland, located to the north of the Great Whin Sill and viewable from Hadrian’s Wall. The marshes that surround the lake form a remarkable mosaic of ecosystems that are home to a diverse range of plants and wildlife.

There is a boardwalk that spans 500 metres across peat and reedbeds along this circular Northumberland walk – a great spot to see wildlife.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1-2 hours/3.4 miles
Parking: Yes

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6. Elsdon Burn

The Elsdon Burn trail is a beautiful river walk that is popular with families. The 12th-century church at Elsdon is said to house the souls of those who died in the 1388 Battle of Otterburn, as well as ruins of a motte-and-bailey fortress, a mediaeval Pele tower, a tavern, and the Impromptu Tea Room.

On your way back to Elsdon, take in the spectacular views from Gallow Hill and reward everyone with a drink at the Bird in Bush bar.

As Northumberland walks go, this is one of the best and most historic.

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1-2 hours/2.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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7. Hareshaw Linn Waterfall

Next on our fantastic list of Northumberland walks is the awe-inspiring Hareshaw Linn Waterfall. Experience cascading beauty on this serene journey down the Hareshaw Burn River to discover one of the UK’s finest waterfalls.

There are over 300 species of mosses, liverworts, and lichen in this moist environment, and you may see red squirrels and woodpeckers roaming the forest. Hareshaw Linn has been classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the presence of rare ferns and lichen.

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1-2 hours/3 miles
Parking: Yes

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8. Kielder Water

This 18-mile round walk follows the beautiful forested shores of Kielder Water, Europe’s largest man-made lake. Situated within the Kielder Water and Forest Park, this Northumberland walk offers you the chance to explore the largest working forest in England at 250 square miles.

On your walk, you may catch glimpses of ospreys soaring above and salmon taking to the water. Find a number of picnic sites and sculptures to stop and rest at, so enjoy the scenery at your leisure.

Alternatively, visit the Kielder Waterside’s Birds of Prey Centre, where eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and vultures take residence.

Continuing to impress, the walk is located within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, one of the greatest areas in the UK for stargazing. If you stay into the evening, don’t miss out on a chance to visit the Kielder Observatory and enjoy a night under the stars.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4-6 hours/18 miles
Parking: Yes

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9. College Valley

Another exceptional Northumberland walk includes the serene and expansive College Valley, one of five cuttings into the Cheviot Hills. Along the College Burn, the flat trail loops southward until crossing the burn and retracing its steps on the opposite side.

There is always a view of moorland hills on the horizon as the river winds its way through the wide, unspoiled valley. Roe deer, hares, and wild Cheviot goats can be frequently seen on the hillside near Hethpool Mill thanks to the nearby woodlands.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-3 hours/5 miles
Parking: Yes

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10. Yeavering Bell Walk

One of the more moderate routes on our guide is the stroll to Yeavering Bell – the Hill of the Goats. On top of the hill, you’ll find breath-taking views, and if you’re lucky, you might even see some wild Cheviot goats.

The hike begins near Kirknewton, which has roadside parking. From here, take public pathways and the St Cuthbert’s Way long-distance walk south to reach the Iron Age hillfort. On a 12-acre site, you can view the platforms of over a hundred timber-built roundhouses and an inner fort.

Note: Please keep in mind that the drop from the top of Yeavering Bell is rather steep.

Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2 hours/3.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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11. Pennine Way

First opened in 1965, the Pennine Way traverses some of the country’s most beautiful highland scenery. The long-distance footpath is by far the most well-known and popular of Britain’s paths!

The Pennine Way begins in the Peak District and continues 268 miles north via the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District to the Scottish border settlement of Kirk Yetholm.

A portion of the route runs through the Northumberland National Park, including a significant piece of Hadrian’s Wall Path. The 64-mile route highlights the best features of the national park, from the ancient ruins in the south to the Cheviot Hills in the north, and everything in between.

Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 4 days/64 miles
Parking: Yes

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12. Walltown Crags

There are few places on earth as dramatic as Walltown Crags, which dips through sweeping volcanic rock cliffs and offers incredible views of Hadrian’s Wall.

A scenic route of Hadrian’s Wall runs along the crags of the Whin Sill, making it one of the best places to see it. Here, not only is the Wall extremely well maintained, but it also displays how the builders dealt with massive outcrops of natural rock, sometimes integrating them into the Wall and at other times having them practically impeding it.

Originally built as a freestanding structure, the Walltown turret stands at one end of the wall.

The site can be extended into a full day out by visiting Birdoswald Fort and Housesteads Roman Fort. There are several scenic, circular routes in the area, so park at Walltown Visitor Centre and plan your route once you arrive.

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 1-2 hours days/2.8 miles
Parking: Yes

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13. Rothbury Riverside

An ideal place for a short walk is Rothbury, a hillside village with a lively high street, winding walking paths, and picturesque riverbanks. Families enjoy this short walk along the River Coquet, which is quite popular for families and their four-legged friends.

Many hikers leave their cars at Rothbury’s Beggars Rigg or Cowhaugh parking lots so they can take a leisurely stroll along the River Coquet’s banks.

Place a picnic blanket at a scenic lookout along the way, or head back to Rothbury for a break at a bar or café. There are numerous eateries offering hot drinks and filling meals, and many of them accept dogs.

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1 hour/1.5 miles
Parking: Yes

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14. Hadrian’s Wall Path

Last but not least on our list of Northumberland walks is the iconic Hadrian’s Wall Path. This 84-mile path follows the defences of the Roman province of Britannia, which marked the northernmost border of the Roman Empire. To keep the ‘barbarians’ to the north at bay, construction began in 122 AD, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

Today, the well-marked hiking trail is one of the most popular coast-to-coast routes in the UK. The 22-mile segment runs through one of the best national parks in the UK, and could theoretically be finished in one day. Nevertheless, it is more enjoyable to extend the course over at least two days.

The trail includes the Sycamore Gap as well as a substantial portion of the Northumberland Pennine Way.

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Duration: 2 days/22 miles
Parking: Yes

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If we’ve got you in the mood for a getaway to Northumberland, browse this beautiful selection of Northumberland Cottages. Once you’ve picked your perfect resting spot, explore our Northumberland Travel Guide and find inspiration for your holiday itinerary. 

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Image Credits: Mike Quinn – (CC BY-SA 2.0)