WHERE tO CyCLE iN tHE NORtH PENNiNES
WHERE tO CyCLE iN tHE NORtH PENNiNES
WHERE tO CyCLE iN tHE NORtH PENNiNES
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including the Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route<br />
Cycling in the North Pennines<br />
The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a remote,<br />
unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was<br />
designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988.<br />
The North Pennines AONB is also Britain’s first European Geopark and<br />
a founding member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.<br />
This leaflet highlights the cycling opportunities in the North Pennines<br />
and tells you how to get more information.<br />
We can provide the information contained in this<br />
publication in large print, different formats and other<br />
languages on request. Please call 01388 528801<br />
for details.<br />
North Pennines AONB Partnership<br />
Weardale Business Centre<br />
The Old Co-op Building<br />
1 Martin Street<br />
Stanhope<br />
County Durham<br />
DL13 2UY<br />
+44 (0)1388 528801<br />
info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk<br />
www.northpennines.org.uk<br />
Produced by: Supported by:<br />
11/06/8000<br />
Front cover © NPAP/Shane Harris.<br />
All other uncredited photographs<br />
are by kg photography.<br />
This publication is printed on Greencoat Plus Velvet paper:<br />
80% recycled post-consumer; FSC certification; NAPM recycled<br />
certification; 10% TCF virgin fibre; 10% ECF fibre.<br />
Neighbourhood<br />
Renewal Unit<br />
F<strong>iN</strong>D<strong>iN</strong>G Out AbOut<br />
<strong>tHE</strong> <strong>NORtH</strong> PENN<strong>iN</strong>ES<br />
AND SuRROuND<strong>iN</strong>G AREA<br />
<strong>tO</strong>uRiSt <strong>iN</strong>FORMAtiON CENtRES<br />
Tourist Information Centres (TICs) are great places to find out more about the<br />
North Pennines and the surrounding area. You’ll find knowledgeable and friendly<br />
staff, lots of information on places to visit and local events, as well as where to<br />
stay and public transport options. Many TIC staff have been through the ‘Know<br />
Your North Pennines’ training programme, making them even better guides to<br />
what the area has to offer.<br />
Alston 01434 382244<br />
Appleby 01768 351177<br />
Brampton 01697 73433<br />
Barnard Castle 01833 690909<br />
Bishop Auckland 01388 604922<br />
Corbridge 01434 632815<br />
Haltwhistle 01434 322002<br />
<strong>CyCLE</strong> SERviCES<br />
<strong>iN</strong> AND AROuND <strong>tHE</strong> <strong>NORtH</strong> PENN<strong>iN</strong>ES<br />
EXPLORER MAPS<br />
OL 19<br />
OL 31<br />
OL 43<br />
307<br />
LANDRANGER MAPS<br />
86, 87, 91, 92<br />
CyCL<strong>iN</strong>G HOLiDAyS AND SuPPORt SERviCES <strong>CyCLE</strong> HiRE AND SHOPS<br />
Company Location Contact<br />
C2C Bike Transport<br />
Service<br />
Coast to Coast<br />
Holidays & Baggage<br />
Services<br />
c/o Alan Clark Transport<br />
Services, Rowlands Gill,<br />
Tyne and Wear NE39 1AL<br />
60 Durham Road, Redcar,<br />
Cleveland TS10 3RY<br />
Cycleactive Ltd. 8 Low Mill, Langwathby,<br />
Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1NQ<br />
Cycle Trex Ltd. 13 Aldin Grange Terrace,<br />
Durham, Co. Durham<br />
DH7 7AN<br />
Cycling<br />
Northumbria<br />
Mark Fearn<br />
Bike Repairs &<br />
Blacksmith<br />
Open Book<br />
Visitor Guiding<br />
7 Laurel Way, Ryton,<br />
Tyne and Wear NE40 4XW<br />
Nenthead, near Alston, Cumbria<br />
(Bike and rider recovery<br />
where possible)<br />
Holly Nook, The Faugh,<br />
Heads Nook, Brampton,<br />
Cumbria CA8 9EG<br />
Saddle Skedaddle Ouseburn Building,<br />
Albion Row, East Quayside,<br />
Newcastle upon Tyne,<br />
Tyne and Wear NE6 1LL<br />
Stanley Taxis<br />
(The Bike Bus)<br />
The Walkers’<br />
Baggage Transfer<br />
Co Ltd.<br />
Bus Station, Stanley,<br />
Co. Durham DH9 0TD<br />
Unit 3A, Townfoot Ind Est,<br />
Brampton, Carlisle, Cumbria<br />
CA8 1SW<br />
Hexham 01434 652220<br />
Kirkby Stephen 01768 371199<br />
Middleton-in-Teesdale 01833 641001<br />
Penrith 01768 867466<br />
Rheged 01768 860034<br />
Stanhope 01388 527650<br />
Cycle Hire Baggage Transport Repair Cycle Holidays Guiding Bike Transport<br />
t: 01207 544 687<br />
e: katluc2715@btopenworld.com<br />
t: 01642 489 173 or 07802 358457<br />
e: info@coasttocoast-holidays.co.uk<br />
w: www.coasttocoast-holidays.co.uk<br />
t: 01768 881 111<br />
e: sales@cycleactive.co.uk<br />
w: www.cycleactive.co.uk<br />
t: 0191 386 1557<br />
e: cycletrex@hotmail.com<br />
w: www.cycletrex.com<br />
t: 0191 413 6068 or 07837 227781<br />
e: info@cyclingnorthumbria.co.uk<br />
w: www.cyclingnorthumbria.co.uk<br />
t: 01434 382 194 or 07776 098915<br />
t: 01228 670 578<br />
e: carold@greatguidetours.co.uk<br />
w: www.greatguidetours.co.uk<br />
t: 0191 265 1110<br />
e: info@skedaddle.co.uk<br />
w: www.skedaddle.co.uk<br />
t: 01207 237 424 or 01207 230000<br />
e: bike.bus@btconnect.com<br />
w: www.mini-coach-hire.co.uk<br />
t: 0870 990 5549<br />
e: info@walkersbags.co.uk<br />
w: www.walkersbags.co.uk<br />
Hamsterley Forest<br />
ORDNANCE SuRvEy MAPS<br />
OF <strong>tHE</strong> <strong>NORtH</strong> PENN<strong>iN</strong>ES<br />
F<strong>iN</strong>D<strong>iN</strong>G yOuR OWN WAy AROuND<br />
Ordnance Survey maps will help you to make your own way around the<br />
North Pennines by bike. There are several maps, which cover the area<br />
which are available from local shops, Tourist Information Centres<br />
or www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.<br />
CyCL<strong>iN</strong>G ON PubLiC RiGHtS OF WAy<br />
As a cyclist you are not allowed to ride on footpaths. If cycling off-road,<br />
please leave gates as you find them and ride responsibly, especially when<br />
encountering walkers and horse riders.<br />
WHO CAN uSE PubLiC RiGHtS OF WAy?<br />
Footpaths (pedestrians only)<br />
Bridleways (pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists)<br />
Byways (open to all traffic)<br />
Restricted Byways (pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and horse-drawn vehicles)<br />
Company Location Contact<br />
Cycle Hire<br />
from Durham<br />
Dales Centre<br />
Durham Dales Centre,<br />
Stanhope, Weardale,<br />
Co. Durham DL13 2FJ<br />
The Bike Shop St Marys Chare, Hexham,<br />
Cycle Hire at<br />
the Rookhope Inn<br />
Wood N Wheels<br />
(Cycle hire in the heart<br />
of Hamsterley Forest)<br />
Northumberland<br />
(Seasonal Apr-Oct)<br />
Rookhope-in-Weardale,<br />
Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham<br />
Hamsterley Forest, Bishop<br />
Auckland, Co. Durham<br />
Cycle Force 2000 29 Claypath, Durham,<br />
Co. Durham<br />
Pedalpushers Sandy Lonning, Brampton,<br />
Cumbria CA8 1RA<br />
Dale Bike Hire Harperley POW Camp, Firtree,<br />
Crook, Co. Durham DL13 3AH<br />
Specialist Cycles Frederick Street South,<br />
Kirkby Stephen<br />
Cycle Centre<br />
Arragon’s<br />
Cycle Centre<br />
Durham DH7 8NA<br />
Unit 1, Station Yard, Kirkby<br />
Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4SS<br />
1-4 Brunswick Road, Penrith,<br />
Cumbria CA11 7LU<br />
t: 01388 527737<br />
t: 01434 601 032<br />
t: 01388 517 215<br />
w: www.rookhope.com<br />
t: 01388 517 215<br />
w: woodnwheels.co.uk<br />
t: 0191 384 0319<br />
t: 01697 742387<br />
t: 01388 527 737<br />
e: dalebikehire@btinternet.com<br />
w: www.dalebikehire.co.uk<br />
t: 0191 378 3753<br />
e: martins-cycles@tiscali.co.uk<br />
w: www.specialist-cycles.net<br />
t: 01768 371 658<br />
e: kcinetak@aol.com<br />
t: 01768 890 344<br />
e: sales@arragonscycles.com<br />
w: www.arragonscycles.com<br />
CyCL<strong>iN</strong>G <strong>iN</strong> AND AROuND<br />
<strong>tHE</strong> <strong>NORtH</strong> PENN<strong>iN</strong>ES<br />
Cycling is an excellent way to discover the North Pennines. This is a landscape<br />
of attractive dales, tumbling rivers, colourful hay meadows and wild moors.<br />
It is well served by all the facilities that you will need, including promoted<br />
routes, cycle hire, and cyclist-friendly accommodation. The AONB Partnership<br />
has supported many businesses to get more geared up to receive cyclists,<br />
by providing things like bike racks, bike sheds, washing facilities and repair<br />
equipment. Many accommodation businesses are also becoming part of<br />
VisitBritain’s Walkers and Cyclists Welcome Schemes.<br />
The North Pennines is a great place for all types of cycling, from muddy<br />
mountain bike trails to traffic-free family-friendly routes. There are miles of<br />
country roads, quiet lanes, byways and bridleways, disused railway lines and<br />
forest trails to explore.<br />
WHEELS <strong>tO</strong> <strong>tHE</strong> WiLD<br />
Left - Between Stanhope and Rookhope Right - Ashgill Force<br />
The Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route is a three day tour of the North<br />
Pennines, discovering the area’s stunning landscapes. A guide for<br />
the route, which includes accommodation/services information and<br />
three additional day rides, is available for £5 from the North Pennines<br />
AONB Partnership, local shops and Tourist Information Centres.<br />
Heather moorland between Weardale and Teesdale © Countryside Agency/Charlie Hedley
<strong>WHERE</strong> <strong>tO</strong> <strong>CyCLE</strong><br />
<strong>iN</strong> <strong>tHE</strong> <strong>NORtH</strong> PENN<strong>iN</strong>ES<br />
There are lots of great cycling opportunities in and around the North Pennines. The<br />
information and publications shown here will help you to discover and explore the<br />
glorious landscape of this area by bike. Many of them are available from local Tourist<br />
Information Centres and other outlets. Alternatively, contact the individual organisations.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route £5<br />
122 km road route exploring the geology and<br />
landscapes of the AONB/Geopark (includes 3<br />
on and off road day rides).<br />
web: www.northpennines.org.uk<br />
tel: 01388 528801<br />
Cycling in the North Pennines FREE<br />
4 leaflets (16 rides) within the AONB for experienced cyclists.<br />
web: www.northpennines.org.uk tel: 01388 528801<br />
Bike Bowes FREE<br />
Rugged moorland mountain bike route.<br />
For copies tel: 0191 383 3239<br />
South Tyne Trail £2<br />
36.5 km route following the River South Tyne from source to Haltwhistle<br />
(includes family-friendly sections).<br />
East Cumbria Countryside Project web: www.eccp.org.uk<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Cycle North East England FREE<br />
web: www.visitnortheastengland.co.uk/cycling<br />
Cycling Cumbria £2<br />
Map and guide.<br />
web: www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk, www.golakes.co.uk,<br />
www.cyclingcumbria.co.uk<br />
Cycle Routes in County Durham (west) FREE<br />
Map and guide.<br />
Durham County Council web: www.durham.gov.uk<br />
Cycle Northumberland £8<br />
Map and guide.<br />
web: www.sustransshop.co.uk<br />
Hamsterley Forest (Forestry Commission)<br />
Fantastic venue, including cycle hire and cafe. Routes include<br />
car-free, family-friendly, single track, skills area and downhill.<br />
web: www.forestry.gov.uk<br />
tel: 01388 488312<br />
Hamsterley Trail Blazers<br />
A local group involved in developing cycling opportunities<br />
in Hamsterley Forest.<br />
web: www.hamsterleytrailblazers.co.uk<br />
Descend Hamsterley<br />
A local downhill group, which provides coaching and sets<br />
up downhill events.<br />
web: www.descendhamsterley.co.uk<br />
72<br />
FAMiLy FRiENDLy ROutES<br />
3<br />
4<br />
South Tyne Trail<br />
Hamsterley Forest<br />
O<strong>tHE</strong>R GuiDES<br />
Walking and Cycling Routes<br />
in the Wear Valley<br />
web: www.durhamdales.co.uk<br />
Cycling Hadrian’s Wall Country<br />
web: www.hadrians-wall.org<br />
Eden Valley Circular Cycle Route<br />
tel: 01768 867466<br />
Cycling the Upper Eden Valley<br />
tel: 01768 371199<br />
Cycling in Derwentside<br />
11<br />
12<br />
web: www.agenda21.derwentside.gov.uk<br />
GENERAL CyCL<strong>iN</strong>G <strong>iN</strong>FORMAtiON<br />
Cyclists’ Touring Club<br />
tel: 0870 873 0060<br />
web: www.ctc.org.uk<br />
7<br />
Tees Railway Path<br />
Sustrans (NCN)<br />
tel: 0845 113 0065<br />
web: www.sustrans.org.uk<br />
Waskerley Way<br />
web: www.durham.gov.uk<br />
68<br />
Beyond Hamsterley<br />
Mountain bike rides in County Durham<br />
(15 in North Pennines)<br />
web: www.beyond-hamsterley.co.uk<br />
British Cycling Federation<br />
tel: 0870 871 2000<br />
web: www.bcf.uk.com<br />
3<br />
68<br />
8<br />
20<br />
1<br />
1<br />
10<br />
5<br />
1<br />
9<br />
N<br />
2<br />
1<br />
11<br />
12<br />
72<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
MAP KEy<br />
National Cycle Network (NCN)<br />
72<br />
7<br />
68<br />
20<br />
Hadrian’s Cycleway NCN<br />
C2C NCN<br />
Pennine Cycleway NCN<br />
Walney to Wear NCN<br />
River<br />
Mainline Railway<br />
North Pennines<br />
AONB and Geopark<br />
7<br />
Carlisle<br />
Penrith<br />
1<br />
Scotland<br />
Hexham Newcastle<br />
upon Tyne<br />
Kendal<br />
Map: © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Durham County Council. LA100019779. 2006.<br />
20<br />
Durham<br />
Middlesbrough<br />
Darlington<br />
York<br />
Wheels to the Wild Main Route<br />
Day Route 1 (Waskerley Round)<br />
Day Route 2 (Swinhope High Challenge)<br />
Day Route 3 (Killhope Round)<br />
Tourist Information Centre<br />
Youth Hostel<br />
Promoted/published routes<br />
Please note that not all roads and<br />
settlements are shown on this map.
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