Sandstone Way – Berwick upon Tweed to Hexham

HOLIDAY OVERVIEW

The Sandstone Way is a relatively new cycle route, opened in 2015 from Berwick upon Tweed to Hexham and taking you through some of the more rural, rugged and beautifully unspoilt areas of Northumberland.
The route follows a natural sandstone ridge and can be ridden either north to south or south to north.
Designed solely as a MTB route, this should not be attempted on anything other than a decent hardtail or full suspension MTB

Cycle Route Highlights

Breathtaking views from start to finish
Challenging riding in the middle sections
The stunning island of Lindisfarne (Holy Island) which gets cut off by the tide twice a day
St Cuthberts Cave, Cragside House, Wallington Hall

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Self Guided or Fully Supported Holiday

Self Guided – This is normally a “self guided” trip, you will be supplied with maps, route notes and gpx files along with information about the route and accommodations. We are however only a phone call away and can arrange assistance should you require it, normal response time is 1 – 4 hours

Full supported – throughout your trip, our fully trained tour guide will meet you at various points along the route to ensure everyone is okay, supply you with light refreshments and water, they will also carry a stock of spare parts for your bike as well as a spare bike in case of total breakdown.

Transport

Depending upon where you spend your first night, we can put you up in either at the start or the finish or your route or even somewhere in between. We will supply you with transport to the start of the route or from the end of the route back to your vehicle (parking charges may apply) train station or airport.
We can also collect you from your home location, transfer you to the start and take you back from the finish to home, this is very popular with larger groups and can work out quite cost effective.
We operate three fully licenced 8 seater minibuses and cycle trailers so that your ride across is in comfort.
Bikes are stored individually and packed out with high density foam where necessary.

Accommodation

We only use good quality, cycle friendly, accommodation that is on, or close to the cycle route, generally guest houses, small hotels or inns. All accommodation is on a Bed & Breakfast basis with a full cooked breakfast and vegetarian options always available. We also try and ensure that there is always somewhere close by to have a decent evening meal and some light refreshments. Prices are based on twin or double room occupancy, with single room options available (may be subject to an additional charge).

Route Maps, Route Notes, GPX Files

You will be given a copy of the relevant cycle route maps to use throughout the ride along with general information about the route, detailed maps of where your accommodation is each night, a list of cycle repair shops along the route along with other emergency contact numbers in case of any major or minor mishaps. (One pack/two riders)

We will also send you out a recommended list of what we believe you will require for your ride. We now also have gpx/strava files that are available should you have a garmin type navigator.

Emergency Recovery

If you do have a disaster and are totally stuck, either physically, mentally or mechanically, then we offer an emergency recovery service (up to 4 hour response) to get you off the route and to safety. May be chargeable depending upon circumstances.

Certificate of Completion

We all like a “trophy” to prove that we’ve done something! At Pedal Power we will give everyone who completes the ride a signed and dated Certificate of Completion to prove to those doubters back at home that you did do it.

Baggage transfers

We will pick-up your baggage each day (1 bag per person, up to 15kg) label it and transfer it on to your next nights accommodation. If you have additional bags that you require transferred or bags that you want stored we can happily do that for you as well.

MAP & LOCATION

Itinerary

Suggested 4 Day Itinerary (North to South). Please remember this is your holiday, we can tailor
any package to fit your requirements and agenda.

Day 1 - Arrive Berwick or Hexham

Berwick has a mainline train station, trains from London take around 4 hours and are generally direct. If you prefer you can drive to Hexham and leave your car there, we can transfer you to the start at Berwick.
There is free long stay car parking in several carparks in Berwick.

Day 2 - Berwick to Wooler (33 Miles / 53 kms)

Starting just outside the fortified walls of Berwick next to The Sandgate entrance you ride over the mediaeval road bridge to the south side of the River Tweed and follow the stunning Northumberland coastline south (Sustrans Cycle Route 1) as far as Beal.

Here you can take a detour if the tides allow on to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, whose religious history dates back to the 6th Century.

Minor roads and tracks take you up past St Cuthbert’s Cave, (Cuddys Cave) associated as the resting place of St Cuthbert’s body in the 7th Century. Before heading down through Chatton and past Chillingham Castle, famous for its Wild Cattle which have lived here since the Middle Ages. It is then a short ride to Wooler for your overnight stop.

Day 3 – Wooler to Rothbury (37 miles – 60kms)

Today you will head out into the true heart of Northumberland, remote and rural, often with unbroken views of stunning countryside whichever way you look.

The ride undulates along the edge of the National Park and Ilderton Moor before turning west into Ingram Valley and then off-road over Wether Hill with a well earned decent afterwards.

It’s then a traverse along minor roads to Alwinton (good lunch stop) before turning south east again and heading through Holystone, Snitter and on into Rothbury.

Day 4 – Rothbury to Bellingham (24 miles / 38kms)

Today is a short ride but starts with an almighty climb up onto The Simonside Hills and some great riding through Harwood Forest.

When you reach East Woodburn there are a couple of alternative routes you can add on if you so desire, however the main route will take you to West Woodburn (lunch stop) and onwards to Bellingham.

Day 5 – Bellingham to Hexham (21 miles / 32kms)

From Bellingham you head south past the edge of Kielder Forest along bridleways, tracks and minor roads with a few short steep climbs and stream crossings to reach the site of Milecastle 30 on Hadrian’s Wall. From here it’s a nice easy ride to the finish point at Tynedale Golf Club.

The finish point is Tynedale Golf Clubhouse

DATES & PRICES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Generally our package deals are “bespoke” to the individuals, however please find detailed below some of our more standard requests, though we can tailor any package to your requirements:

No of Riders	No of Nights	No of Days Riding	Standard (Guest House) Package Price	Luxury (Hotel) Package Price
2-3 Riders	3	3	£475	£600
4 Riders	3	3	£425	£550
5 + Riders	3	3	£395	£530
2-3 Riders	4	4	£565	£800
4 Riders	4	4	£515	£750
5 + Riders	4	4	£495	£730
2-3 Riders	5	5	£655	£900
4 Riders	5	5	£595	£850
5 + Riders	5	5	£575	£830
Single room			£45.00/night	£65.00/night
Solo Rider supplement			+ 50%	+ 50%
Cycle Hire – Giant Talon MTB or similar – up to 3 days			£85.00	£85.00
Additional days			+ £20.00/day	+ £20.00/day
Electric MTB Bike Hire – up to 3 days			£150.00	£150.00
Additional days			+ £40.00/day	+ £40.00/day

– Prices are for guidance only, there may be seasonal or regional variations based on travel dates and accommodation availability, any variations will be confirmed at time of booking.

– Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin or double ensuite room on a B&B basis and includes baggage transfers, maps, route notes, emergency recovery and transfers.

– Our luxury package is often only available as a double room option, please ask if you require twin rooms.

– Additional nights before or after, or stop overs during your trip can be added.

– PLEASE NOTE: We can tailor any package to fit your specific requirements, just let us know what you require.

We do offer discounts for family groups with younger children where they are sharing a family room – just contact us to find out more!

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BOOK THIS HOLIDAY

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payment.

Find The Best Cycle Routes

Cycle Holiday

Sandstone Way – Berwick upon Tweed to Hexham

CYCLE HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

No of Days Riding

3-5 Days

Ride Options

Self Guided

Type of Ride

MTB

Technical Difficulty

Challenging

Fitness Level

Good

Total Distance

120 Miles/192 Kms

Total Ascent

3048 Metres/10000 Feet

Full Itinerary PDF

HOLIDAY OVERVIEW

Cycle Route Highlights

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Self Guided or Fully Supported Holiday

Transport

Accommodation

Route Maps, Route Notes, GPX Files

Emergency Recovery

Certificate of Completion

Baggage transfers

MAP & LOCATION

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Berwick or Hexham

Day 2 - Berwick to Wooler (33 Miles / 53 kms)

Day 3 – Wooler to Rothbury (37 miles – 60kms)

Day 4 – Rothbury to Bellingham (24 miles / 38kms)

Day 5 – Bellingham to Hexham (21 miles / 32kms)

DATES & PRICES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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BOOK THIS HOLIDAY

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Cycle Hire Required?

Or alternatively contact us using the below details

+44 (0) 1665 713 448

bookings@pedal-power.co.uk

DATES & PRICES

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