Cycling the Reivers Route

The Reivers Route (NCN 10) is one of the quieter and lesser-known of the northern coast-to-coast cycle routes, crossing 280km (173 miles) of Northumberland border country from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. Passing through the northern Lake District, Kielder Forest and Northumberland National Park, it takes in some of the emptiest and most historically rich countryside in England.

This comprehensive guidebook by Rachel Crolla and Carl McKeating covers the full Reivers Route in four stages, alongside an alternative 241km (150 mile) Borderers Ride from Gretna to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Suitable for both first-time and experienced cyclists, both routes are described from west to east, with a summary for those riding in the opposite direction.

• The Reivers Route is presented as a 4-day itinerary with daily stages of 55 to 82km (34 to 51 miles), with overnight stops at Carlisle, Bailey Mill and Bellingham
• The alternative Borderers Ride covers 241km (150 miles) from Gretna to Berwick-upon-Tweed, passing through Liddesdale, Hermitage Castle and Wooler with the option to visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
• Highlights along the Reivers Route include Whitehaven harbour, Carlisle Castle, the 13th-century Bewcastle Cross, Kielder Water sculptures, the Devil's Causeway and Tynemouth Castle
• Both routes are suitable for touring or hybrid bikes, with on and off-road sections throughout; road alternatives are provided, and 1:100,000 mapping and profiles are included for each stage
• A practical introduction covers getting there and back, accommodation, what kind of bike, equipment, carrying gear and signage, alongside appendices covering accommodation, bike shops and useful contacts

A thorough and well-researched guide to a quiet, historically rich coast-to-coast route through some of the emptiest countryside in northern England. The Reivers Route is ideal for those seeking a quieter alternative to Hadrian's Cycleway.

Seasons

Best cycled between April and October.

Centres

Whitehaven, Carlisle, Bailey Mill, Kielder Water, Bellingham, Tynemouth. For the Borderers Ride: Gretna, Bailey Mill, Bellingham, Wooler, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Difficulty

Using a four-day itinerary of 34-51 miles per day, the 173 mile Reivers Route is an attainable goal for most cyclists. It is the least ridden of the northern coast-to-coast routes and features a remote section through Kielder Forest on forest tracks and cycle paths.

Must See

Whitehaven habour; views of the northern Lake District; Carlisle Castle; 13th-century St Cuthbert's Church at Bewcastle and Bewcastle Cross; Kielder Forest and the Davidson Monument; sculptures along Kielder Water's Lakeside Way; Liddesdale; Hermitage Castle; Thockrington church; the Devil's Causeway; North Tyneside and Killingworth Waggonways; Tynemouth Castle; the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on the Borderers Ride

Map key

Overview map and profile

Route summary tables

Introduction

Why choose the Reivers Route?

Who were the Reivers?

How tough is the ride?

How many days?

West to east or east to west?

Alternative: The Borderers Ride

Getting there and back

Where to stay

What kind of bike?

Equipment

Carrying your gear

What to wear

Maps and apps

Signage

Using this guide

The Reivers Route: The four-day ride

Day 1 Whitehaven to Carlisle

Day 2 Carlisle to Bailey Mill

Day 3 Bailey Mill to Bellingham

Day 4 Bellingham to Tynemouth

The Borderers Ride Gretna to Berwick-upon-Tweed

Appendix A Accommodation

Appendix B Bike shops and other useful contacts

Appendix C Further reading