The best MTB trails around Otterburn

Get ready for a challenging mountain biking adventure on the Usway Burn Trail & Windy Gyle loop from Harbottle. This difficult route spans 27.9 miles (44.8 km) with a significant 3197 feet (974 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will traverse the rugged Cheviot Hills, encountering smooth singletrack along the Usway Burn, past charming stone sheepfolds and waterfalls. Prepare for long moorland climbs on the way to Windy Gyle, where the terrain can be peaty and soft, before enjoying a fast, smooth grassy descent.

This extensive loop requires very good fitness and advanced riding skills, as some sections may even require you to push your bike. The trail is consistently rated as a hard mountain bike ride, reflecting its demanding nature and the varied surfaces you will encounter. While the route is remote, the Star Inn in Harbottle serves as a convenient starting point and an official Information Point for Northumberland National Park, offering amenities for cyclists.

This trail is the most popular mountain bike route around Harbottle, offering consistently stunning views across the Cheviots. From the summit of Windy Gyle, standing at 2,031 feet (619 meters), you can see expansive vistas stretching all the way to Cumbria on clear days. The summit also features Russell's Cairn, a Bronze Age burial marker, and marks the border between England and Scotland, adding a historical touch to your ride through this isolated frontier landscape.

Embark on the Rothbury & Bellingham loop, a difficult mountain biking adventure spanning 51.6 miles (83.0 km) with a significant 3284 feet (1001 metres) of elevation gain. This challenging route, typically taking around 6 hours and 29 minutes, winds through Northumberland's diverse landscapes. You will encounter a mix of unpaved paths, singletrack, and quiet roads, with a substantial climb out of Rothbury leading to rewarding views from the Simonside Hills. Keep an eye out for wild goats and red grouse as you ride.

This hard mountain bike ride demands very good fitness and advanced riding skills. Be prepared for numerous tough climbs, including a strenuous ascent onto the Simonside Hills from Rothbury. Training is essential to fully enjoy the experience. If you plan your visit for late summer or early autumn, you will be treated to vast purple carpets of heather in full bloom on Simonside. Rothbury serves as an ideal base for exploring the region, and you can find a unique stop at the Carriages Tea Room in Bellingham.

The Rothbury & Bellingham loop is a segment of the larger 120-mile (193 km) Sandstone Way, a dedicated mountain biking route. It traverses a sandstone ridge, linking various sandstone features and outcrops that give the trail its name. The route is predominantly off-road and requires a capable hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike. The area is rich in cultural heritage, with castles and fortifications visible along the way, offering a sense of achievement due to its technical challenges and scenic vistas.