It’s not an understatement to say that Northumberland is a walker’s paradise. Not only is there a veritable feast of waymarked routes – including the Northumberland Coast Path and the Pennine Way – but you can visit many of the county’s most iconic landmarks quite easily on foot too.
Whether you want to hike past historic castles, follow in the footsteps of Romans or enjoy awe-inspiring views from the county’s loftiest peaks, you simply have to set out on a walk in the Northumberland National Park. Combining the very best beaches and inspiring countryside landscapes, and with a low population density, you’ll often have the place to yourselves.
Whether you’re a keen hiker looking to scale your next peak, or you’re looking for family-friendly Northumberland short walks that even little legs will enjoy, we’ve rounded up eight of the best walks in Northumberland. And if you’re looking for a cosy cottage in which you can rest your weary feet when your adventure is complete, click on the button below to take a look at our collection of Northumberland cottages.
Northumberland cottages
Lindisfarne
One of the most enchanting places to visit in Northumberland is Lindisfarne, or Holy Island as it's also known - and this is one of the most scenic circular walks in Northumberland, taking you around the perimeter of the tidal isle. Along the way, you can spot seals, stroll past Lindisfarne Priory, and wander past Lindisfarne Castle, one of the most spectacular castles in Northumberland. The island is accessed via a tidal causeway so do check tide times before you visit to ensure you don’t get cut off if you’re staying on the mainland.
Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap
This National Trust walk ticks off two of Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks: Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap – the latter of which once won English Tree of the Year. You’ll begin at Housesteads Information Centre and head to the Roman Fort before walking along the main Hadrian’s Wall path. Around halfway into the walk, you’ll discover Sycamore Gap where the iconic tree stands alone in a dip in the landscape.
Craster to Low Newton
One of the most favoured coastal walks in Northumberland, this circular route takes you along the spectacular beach at Craster to the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. At low tide, you can continue along the huge sandy beach at Embleton before reaching Low Newton-by-the-Sea. Here, you can double back to Craster, although we’d recommend stopping off for a pint in the seafront pub first!
The Cheviot
The Cheviot is the highest point in Northumberland and offers incredible views towards the Lake District, the North Sea and perhaps even Edinburgh from the top, which stands 815 metres above sea level. While this route is fairly tricky, it is one of the best Northumberland walks for panoramic vistas, making it well worth the effort. Begin at Langleeford before heading to Cairn Hill, where you follow the Pennine Way to the very top.
Hareshaw Linn
Northumberland boasts some awe-inspiring waterfalls, and you can see one of the best on this gentle walk. One of our favourite Northumberland National Park walks, you stroll through ancient woodland and over some charming bridges and past rare ferns and lichen before arriving at the 9-metre-high waterfall. As you can expect, the ground can often be slippy underfoot so make sure you are wearing suitable gear.
Allen Banks
One of our favourite Northumberland forest walks, this trail takes you through the largest area of ancient woodland in Northumberland, and as such it’s especially beautiful in the autumn. On the way, you can spot wildlife such as grey wagtails, red squirrels and woodpeckers, and enjoy views towards Hadrian’s Wall and the Tyne Valley, before arriving at Moralee Tarn – a beautiful lake.
Bamburgh to Budle Bay
The imposing Bamburgh Castle stands proud overlooking the beach. Regarded by many as one of the best coastal Northumberland walks, this trail begins at Bamburgh and heads along the coast to Budle Bay before doubling back to the beginning. Time it for low tide when the sand will be firmer underfoot, and head to one of the many places to eat in Bamburgh for refreshments when you’re done.
The Pennine Way: Windy Gyle
There are many Pennine Way walks in Northumberland that you can tackle, but this is one of our favourites. The circular hill walk takes you to the top of Windy Gyle, which stands 619 metres above sea level and offers views of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders from the top. There’s a cairn at the top which is handy for sheltering from the wind, as the conditions can get tricky!
Northumberland’s best walks on a map
Stay with us in Northumberland
There is so much to explore and so many things to do in Northumberland, and all you need to make the best of it is a map and some walking boots! Whether you want to roam the coast, marvelling at historic castles as you go, or you dream of finding solitude on the top of a mountain on one of the more hidden Northumberland walks, this county is the place to visit if you love adventure.
Whatever you choose to do, find your perfect base for exploration within our collection of Northumberland cottages. Click the button below to start planning your next adventure.
Northumberland cottages