New red and black-graded trail sections have opened on Deadwater Fell in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, completing a major redevelopment. The new Mile Down trail will eventually be 1.69m long. It is red with black and double diamond options. Currently the bottom section has opened with the rest coming in the next few months.
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The launch marks the debut of two named features: the Mile Down (red-grade) and Northern Downhill Descent (black-grade). Together, they bring over a kilometre of new trail to the fell, expanding the riding experience while taking full advantage of Kielder’s panoramic high ground near the Scottish border.
Mile Down adds 650 metres of fast, flowing singletrack, with momentum-carrying berms and rollable features designed for confident intermediate riders. The Northern Downhill Descent contributes 565 metres of technical black-grade terrain, including rock gardens, drops, and steeper lines tailored to advanced mountain bikers.
The trail will be the longest official mountain bike descent in The UK.
World Champion riders Manon Carpenter and Adam Brayton joined Forestry England and contractors Architrail Velosolutions UK to officially open the trails on 6 May. A launch video by Neil Denham Photography captures the ride and first impressions:
Alex MacLennan, Recreation and Public Affairs Manager at Forestry England (Northumberland), described the project as the culmination of a two-decade vision: “It’s been 20 years in the making — to deliver this descent from the summit of Deadwater all the way down. We can now host riding and racing year-round, which is great for local communities and tourism.”
Architrail Velosolutions UK, the trail builder, brings a mix of local experience and global trail design standards. Their work is known for combining sustainability with rider-focused flow and technical interest.
Local riders and businesses are already feeling the benefit. Matthew Bone, owner of the Pillar Box Café in Haltwhistle and a Kielder local, praised the launch: “It’s opened up riding in all conditions and created new possibilities for events. This is what the community has been waiting for.”
For trail descriptions, route maps, and rider info, visit the Kielder Mountain Bike Centre guide on iBikeRide.
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