Sandstone Way

The Sandstone Way is a 193km (120 mile) waymarked mountain bike route running point to point from Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Northumberland coast to Hexham in the Tyne Valley. It follows the sandstone ridge inland through Wooler, Rothbury and Bellingham on public rights of way, byways, unsurfaced lanes and quiet roads, crossing the uplands and forests of Northumberland National Park and Hadrian's Wall on the way. Green roundel waymarks mark the main route, which can be ridden in either direction, and an official waterproof map covers it. Most riders take three or four days, with around 3,400 to 3,500 metres of climbing in total, and the route is also ridden on gravel bikes in dry conditions. Cycle hire, luggage transfer and guided options operate along the way.

The Route

The route starts at the quayside in Berwick-upon-Tweed and finishes at Tyne Green in Hexham. It can be ridden in either direction. The official guidance is that north to south makes the most sense of the hills, although that means riding against the prevailing wind, and both directions make a fine journey.

The main alignment is the recommended route, with a few waymarked variations and shortcuts. Waymarks carry a green roundel logo, but they are not frequent enough to ride the route without a map. The official map also shows ten optional day loops, which are not waymarked, so you can ride part of the route and return to your starting point. A shorter waymarked version, the Sandstone Way light, is available for riders who are short of time.

The official map is a waterproof printed map published by Northern Heritage, priced at £9.99 in September 2026, and it is also sold at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre near Bardon Mill. A minimum of £2 from every sale is reinvested in the route. Prices are subject to change, so check the current price on the Northern Heritage website. Buy the map before you go and load a route onto your GPS as well, since mobile signal cannot be relied on along the way.

The name comes from the geology. The route follows a ridge of carboniferous sandstone, around 330 million years old, whose north and west facing escarpments give the riding its rhythm of steep scarp slopes and long descents. Northumberland National Park Authority hosts the official Sandstone Way page, which is the place to start for route information.

Terrain by Section

• Berwick-upon-Tweed to Wooler (about 54.6km): The route leaves the quayside and follows the coast, staying close to the sea as far as the Holy Island causeway before turning inland on quiet lanes, farm tracks and bridleways. It runs through the Kyloe Hills and past St Cuthbert's Cave on the way to Wooler, and the official page rates this as a comfortable first day.
• Wooler to Rothbury (about 59km, 1,190m of climbing): Hilly going through the uplands of Northumberland National Park on dirt tracks, bridleways and singletrack, with singletrack descents into Rothbury. The only ford on the route without an adjacent footbridge is at mile 37.5, and it is rarely too deep to cross.
• Rothbury to Hexham (about 78.5km, 1,418m of climbing): The longest and toughest section. It climbs through the Simonside Hills and follows forest tracks through Harwood Forest, then runs via Bellingham towards Hadrian's Wall. Expect boggy grass and muddy double track after rain. After crossing Hadrian's Wall the route drops into the Tyne Valley and finishes beside the River Tyne at Tyne Green.

Planning Your Days

• Three days (Option A): Berwick-upon-Tweed to Wooler, 54.6km, about 6 hours. Wooler to Rothbury, 59km, about 6 hours. Rothbury to Hexham, 78.5km, about 8 hours, described as a long, full-on day.
• Two days (Option B): Berwick-upon-Tweed to Rothbury, 113.5km with about 2,000m of climbing, then Rothbury to Hexham. Both days are described as long and full-on.
• Four days: The three-day plan with an extra half day at either end. Travel to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the first morning and ride to Belford that afternoon, or Wooler if you are very fit, then complete the rest. Alternatively, ride Option A but stop at Simonburn on day three (advance booking is necessary) and finish into Hexham on day four before travelling home.

Bellingham also splits the final section into two shorter stages of roughly 44km and 36km, which is how several holiday operators break the route up. The route's founder recommends three days, and the map publisher notes that most riders take three or four.

Bike Choice and Gravel Riding

The Sandstone Way was designed for mountain bikes. The surface is a mix of double-width dirt tracks, singletrack, unsurfaced lanes, bridleways, byways and little-known unclassified county roads, linked by quiet minor roads and surfaced country lanes. Most of it is easy-to-ride track, but there are challenging sections that suit able, properly equipped riders in good weather, and wet weather turns the grassy and forest sections slow and muddy.

The route's own team says it is now regularly ridden by gravel bikers, albeit in dry conditions. Local operator Pedal Power takes a stricter view and advises a mountain bike, because of some seriously rough off-road sections. In practice that means a gravel bike suits experienced riders in a dry spell, and a mountain bike is the safer choice the rest of the time. Electric mountain bikes can be hired to help with the long climbs.

Resupply and Accommodation

Wooler, Rothbury and Bellingham each offer a range of accommodation and essential services, and the official page and holiday operators also suggest Belford, West Woodburn and Simonburn as overnight stops. Look for places to stay through Visit Northumberland, and book ahead, particularly in summer. Wild camping is not a general legal right in England, so camping away from an official site needs the landowner's permission.

Bike shops along the route are few, although some accommodation providers and visitor centres carry basic spares. Carry food, drink, the route map, weatherproof clothing, tools, spares and a basic first aid kit, have an exit plan in case you run short of daylight, and know which taxi firms might collect you and your bike. Please do not ride the route in the dark.

Hire, Luggage Transfer and Guided Trips

These cycle services are listed on the official Sandstone Way page:

• Carrylite, based in Corbridge, offers luggage transfer along the route.
• Pedal Power offers cycle and pannier hire, baggage transfers, accommodation options and transport for riders and bikes to and from the start and finish.
• Saddle Skedaddle runs guided and self-guided Sandstone Way holidays with luggage transfer included, with e-mountain bikes available to hire.
• Northumberland E-Bikes, in Wooler, offers e-bike hire and sales.

Riding Responsibly and Route Status

The route uses public rights of way and quiet roads, so obey the Highway Code, give way to walkers and horse riders, close gates behind you, avoid skidding, which causes erosion, and take your litter home. Expect livestock, and expect to meet horse riders at any time. Slow down and call out politely as you approach.

Sections of the route, particularly through forestry, are subject to periodic closures and diversions. Always check the official Sandstone Way page for current information before travelling. The riders who have completed the route, known as Sandstoners, also answer questions about conditions on the route's Facebook page.

Getting Here

The route is point to point, so plan how you will get back to your start. Berwick-upon-Tweed and Hexham both have railway stations, and Traveline North East covers local public transport.

• Start, Berwick-upon-Tweed: Park at , then cycle to the quayside where the route begins.
• Finish, Hexham: Tyne Green Country Park, beside the River Tyne, has ample parking.

If you would like purpose-built trails while you are in this part of Northumberland, Kielder Mountain Bike Trail Centre is a separate venue to the north-west of Bellingham and is not on the Sandstone Way.

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