How many trail running routes are there in Northumberland?

There are 5 trail running routes in Northumberland on Trail Running Planet, covering 3 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.

What is the average route length in Northumberland?

The average distance is 25.9km, with routes ranging from gentle valley loops to full-day mountain circuits. Total ascent across all routes is 3,252m.

Are there dog-friendly trail runs in Northumberland?

Yes — 5 of the routes in Northumberland are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.

Can I reach trail runs in Northumberland by public transport?

2 routes in Northumberland are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.

Is there parking at trail running routes in Northumberland?

5 routes in Northumberland have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.

Do I need to register to download GPX files for Northumberland routes?

No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in Northumberland.

Trail running routes in Northumberland

Some of the quietest hills in England: the Simonside crags, the Cheviot on the Pennine Way, and a 40km lap of Kielder Water.

Routes

25.9km

Avg distance

3,252m

Total ascent

Areas

Cheviot Hills Kielder Simonside Hills

Which route should I choose?

5 routes in Northumberland, from 8.4 km to 45.9 km. Every route has a free GPX file, a TRP grade and a note on parking and transport.

Checked: 3 run by TRP, 2 checked against the GPX file only. Each route page says which.

A long day out

Over 25 km. Take food, take a map.

The Cheviot and the Pennine Way from Wooler · 45.9 km · 1,664 m · Expert
Kielder Water Lakeside Loop · 40.0 km · 337 m · Very Hard

Firm underfoot in wet weather

Lowest mud rating in the region.

Simonside and Dove Crag Circular · 8.4 km · 274 m · Moderate
Kielder Water Lakeside Loop · 40.0 km · 337 m · Very Hard

By train or bus

Starts you can reach without a car.

Broadstruther and Gains Law from Wooler · 20.3 km · 585 m · Hard
The Cheviot and the Pennine Way from Wooler · 45.9 km · 1,664 m · Expert

Compare all 5 routes in one table

Route	Distance	Climb	Grade	Ground	Getting there
Simonside and Dove Crag Circular	8.4 km	274 m	Moderate	moorland	Drive, parking listed
Simonside and Dove Crag from Rothbury	14.7 km	392 m	Hard	fell	Drive, parking listed
Broadstruther and Gains Law from Wooler	20.3 km	585 m	Hard	moorland	Bus or train
Kielder Water Lakeside Loop	40.0 km	337 m	Very Hard	path	Drive, parking listed
The Cheviot and the Pennine Way from Wooler	45.9 km	1,664 m	Expert	fell	Bus or train

Sort:

5 routes

HARD

Broadstruther and Gains Law from Wooler

20.3km · 585m climb · Loop

It gets you deep into the quiet northern Cheviots without a single big climb, and the last 6km on St Cuthbert's Way over Gains Law is genuinely fast running with the whole Milfield plain in front of you.

No car neededDog friendly

VERY HARD

Kielder Water Lakeside Loop

40.0km · 337m climb · Loop

It's one of the few places in the country where you can run 40km without a single significant hill, entirely on good surface, through forest that feels genuinely remote from anywhere else in England.

Dog friendly

MODERATE

Simonside and Dove Crag Circular

8.4km · 274m climb · Loop

You get proper crag-top views over the Cheviots and the coast for a genuinely modest amount of climbing, which makes this one of the best value short routes in the county.

Dog friendly

HARD

Simonside and Dove Crag from Rothbury

14.7km · 392m climb · Loop

Sandstone crags with a proper sense of drama, Iron Age rock art on the approach, and views stretching from the Cheviots to the Northumberland coast for under 400m of climbing.

Dog friendly

EXPERT

The Cheviot and the Pennine Way from Wooler

45.9km · 1,664m climb · Loop

This links the two great paths of the north in one loop: the final stretch of the Pennine Way over the Border Ridge, and the Wooler stage of St Cuthbert's Way back through College Valley. Almost nobody runs the whole thing.

Fell runNo car needed

Races in Northumberland

All Northumberland races →

The next races starting in Northumberland, with runner reviews and what people wore where we have them. Train on the routes above.

Sept

2026

Pilgrims' Ultra

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland · Cold Brew Events

From Holy Island down the Northumberland coast, as far as you fancy going.

50 km, 100 km & 100 miles

Runs through the night

Entries open

Oct

2026

Hadrians Wall Half Marathon Walk

Housesteads, Hadrians Wall, Northumberland · Wild Deer Events

The same Hadrian's Wall half marathon from Housesteads, walked rather than run.

21.1 km179 m climb

HARD

Not open yet

Oct

2026

Hadrians Wall Half Marathon Run

Housesteads, Hadrians Wall, Northumberland · Wild Deer Events

A half marathon along Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads.

21.1 km179 m climb

HARD

Not open yet

Dec

2026

The Cheviot Goat

Ingram Village Hall, Breamish Valley, Northumberland · Cold Brew Events

Fifty-nine miles of the Cheviots in December, unmarked, on peat and open hill.

59 miles3,962 m climb

Navigation requiredRuns through the night

Entries open

About running in Northumberland

Some of the quietest hills in England: the Simonside crags, the Cheviot on the Pennine Way, and a 40km lap of Kielder Water.

Five routes, and you can run most of a day without seeing anyone. Simonside above Rothbury is the easy way in, 8–15km over sandstone crags with big views to the Cheviots. Wooler is the base for the Cheviot itself: a 20km moorland loop or the full 46km Pennine Way round, which is serious ground. Kielder Water is a flat 40km lakeside path if you want distance without the navigation. Public transport is limited — Berwick and Morpeth are the nearest railheads, then buses. Every route has a free GPX download and an honest TRP Grade.

Safety reminder

In an emergency call 999 or 112 — ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.

No signal? Pre-register emergency SMS: text register to 999.

Safety guides →

Common questions

: There are 5 trail running routes in Northumberland on Trail Running Planet, covering 3 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.
: The average distance is 25.9km, with routes ranging from gentle valley loops to full-day mountain circuits. Total ascent across all routes is 3,252m.
: Yes — 5 of the routes in Northumberland are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.
: 2 routes in Northumberland are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.
: 5 routes in Northumberland have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.
: No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in Northumberland.