Northumberland National Park – Uplands, Dark Skies, and Border Country

A Remote Upland Landscape Shaped by Border History and Land Use

Northumberland National Park is a stronghold for remote walking and long, uninterrupted outdoor journeys, shaped by sweeping uplands, rolling hills, and centuries of border history. Stretching along England’s northern frontier from the Scottish border towards the Tyne Valley, the park is defined by space, silence, and an exceptional sense of openness rarely found elsewhere in England.

From iconic long-distance routes to expansive hill days and gentle valley walks, Northumberland offers walking for those who value solitude as much as scenery. Routes such as Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way cross the park’s open country, linking Roman forts, high moorland, quiet farmland, and remote hill ridges. Dry-stone walls, ancient earthworks, and broad skies shape every journey, while villages on the park’s edges provide natural gateways rather than crowded centres.

Beyond walking, Northumberland National Park is equally rewarding for outdoor adventure. The Cheviot Hills offer classic upland terrain for trail running and long ridge walks, while quiet valleys and forest tracks suit multi-day exploration on foot or by bike. The park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park also makes it one of the finest places in England for stargazing, rewarding those who stay overnight with truly dark skies.

Cycling is well suited to the park’s quieter roads and long gravel tracks, particularly around the Tyne Valley, Redesdale, and the edges of Kielder Forest. Routes tend to favour endurance and landscape immersion over technical difficulty, making Northumberland ideal for slow, sustained journeys through open country.

At day’s end, accommodation is found in small market towns and villages at the park’s margins — from historic inns and stone-built guesthouses to remote farm stays and walker-friendly B&Bs in places like Haltwhistle, Rothbury, Bellingham, and Alwinton.

Whether you’re walking coast-to-coast, tracing Roman history, or spending long days crossing empty uplands, Northumberland National Park offers space, quiet, and a powerful sense of frontier landscape.

Where to Walk and Explore

Hadrian’s Wall Path

England’s most historic National Trail crosses the park from east to west, passing Roman forts, crags, and wide open uplands along the ancient frontier of the Roman Empire.

Pennine Way (Northern Section)

The final and wildest stretch of England’s oldest long-distance trail crosses the Cheviot Hills, offering remote ridge walking and expansive views across the border country.

Cheviot Hills

Broad ridges, rounded summits, and long upland days define walking in the Cheviots, ideal for experienced walkers seeking quiet mountain terrain.

Simonside Hills

A compact but dramatic upland area of sandstone ridges and viewpoints above Coquetdale, well suited to shorter hikes with wide-reaching views.

Coquetdale & Upper Rede Valleys

Quiet valleys with riverside paths, old drove roads, and access into the surrounding hills, ideal for gentler walking and multi-day exploration.

Adventure Highlights

• Long-distance walking on Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way
• Remote upland walking in the Cheviot Hills
• Roman forts, frontier landscapes, and ancient earthworks
• Trail running and endurance routes across open moorland
• Cycling on quiet roads and gravel tracks through Redesdale and the Tyne Valley
• International Dark Sky Park with outstanding night-sky viewing
• One of England’s least crowded and most peaceful national parks