Cycling the Kielder Lakeside Trail: A 26 mile Gravel Ride Through Britains biggest forest

Having done a short out and back on Kielder's Lakeside way earlier in the week, I returned alone this time to do the full loop. I took my Vitus e-substance gravel bike and parked up at Kielder Castle by the bike shop (parking isnt cheap, but if you're a Forestry England member it's free, bonus! The full loop is listed as 26 miles (42km), but I clocked it as nearly 27, I guess a lot depends on any additional little bits you do to take in some of the amazing view points or art instalations on the way. The surface is very good and easily achievable on a gravel bike, and probably a road bike with wider tyres, and if you haven't taken one you could always hire one from the bike shop. As its a loop you can go either way round, and since I hadn't done it before I opted for a clockwise loop taking in the north side of the Lake first down to Tower Knowe. Facilities are a bit sparse on the North side untill you get to the Car park at Hawkhope next to the Dam wall which has toilets, after then there is no shortage of facilities as you have toilets and cafe's at Tower Knowe, and Waterside Park formally known as Leaplish. It's worth checking the opening times at Tower Knowe as they are limited and the cafe was closed when I passed. Below is a link to Kielder Water and forest park, which gives details of all of the facilities, cycle routes and walks. https://www.kielderwaterside.com/wp-c... And, if you haven't took your bike with you, take a look at these guys at Kielder Castle bike shop, they have a decent choice of bikes reasonably priced. And they do decent coffee! https://www.teamcycles.com/pages/kiel... Also links to the route I took - Garmin - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/act... Strava -   / strava   Komoot - https://www.komoot.com/tour/2299478100 #cycling #cyclingover50 #cyclingover60 #gravel #outdoors #gravelbike #gravelride #northumberland #northumbria #kielder #vitusbikes #vituse-substance #kieldergravel #kielderlakesideway #vitusbikes #Vituse-substance #mtb