The Deadwater Double Black Downhill Trail at Kielder Mountain Bike Trail Centre is set to officially open at 1pm on Friday 1 May 2026, with Forestry England confirming details via social media.

The opening event will meet at Team Cycles before riders cycle up to the top of Deadwater, known locally as “the Masts”, ahead of a filmed top-to-bottom descent. The ride is described as non-competitive and intended as an opportunity for the first group of skilled riders to complete the full trail from summit to base. Only experienced double black-grade downhill riders with appropriate protective equipment and suitable bikes will be accepted.

The launch also coincides with the Naughty Kielder event taking place over the May bank holiday weekend.

How this fits into Kielder’s trail network

The Deadwater Double Black Downhill Trail forms part of the wider Deadwater Mile Down area, which includes the red-graded Mile Down line with optional technical trail features and the extreme black Northern Downhill Descent sections. Together, these trails create a purpose-built descent zone on Deadwater Fell.

More broadly, Kielder Mountain Bike Trail Centre offers over 100 miles of riding across green, blue, red and black routes. From the family-friendly Borderline and Lakeside Way multi-user routes, to the red Lonesome Pine trail with its timber boardwalk sections, and the longer-distance Bloody Bush cross-border route, the centre combines cross-country mileage with technical descending. The orange-graded Trials Park and ongoing trail developments add further variety.

The Deadwater opening marks another milestone in the centre’s evolution, adding a confirmed top-to-bottom extreme descent to an already broad trail offering.

You can find full details of the trail network on the Kielder Mountain Bike Trail Centre listing. If you’re heading to the opening or have ridden the trail, feel free to share updates in the comments