Sandstone Way
Ride the Sandstone Way from Berwick to Wrexham on a self-guided mountain biking holiday. We provide accommodation and daily luggage transfers.
Sandstone Way
https://www.contourscycle.co.uk/sandstone-way
A self-guided mountain bike holiday through Northumberland from Berwick to Hexham.
From £595 per person
From £595 per person
The Sandstone Way is a brilliant ride for mountain bikers of all skill levels, twining together the longest off-road stretches available along broad tracks, sweeping singletrack and unsurfaced byways. The trail explores the least-populated county in the UK, Northumberland, on a virtually unrivalled range of remote off-road trails. It's the perfect setting for a ride in the wilderness.
From Berwick-upon-Tweed, a spectacular coastal section of the Sandstone Way follows double-width dirt tracks and swings inland toward a brilliant downhill charge into Wooler. Excellent views line the ride onward to Rothbury through Breamish Valley, full of challenging singletrack, and over open moorland before the route plunges into the forest on its way to Bellingham. Crossing Hadrian's Wall, the final stage guides the way into Hexham.
It’s frequently said that riders underestimate the Sandstone Way. On paper, it’s not technical, so what challenges can it pose? But this sinuous route’s big climbs and huge, open spaces are sure to test you, so that final brilliant run into Hexham is truly hard-won.
Taking in Northumberland's unspoilt solitude and staggering views along several sections of the route, including the ride along the coastline out of Berwick.
Racing down through Harwood Forest along wooded trails.
Enjoying the views from Warden Hill, before taking off on swooping grass tracks toward South Tyne.
Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
---|---|---|---|---|
C-SW-MB2 | From Berwick-upon-Tweed to Hexham | 3 days riding | £595 | |
C-SW-MB3 | From Berwick-upon-Tweed to Hexham | 4 days riding | £715 | |
C-SW-MB4 | From Berwick-upon-Tweed to Hexham | 5 days riding | £770 |
Travel to Berwick-upon-Tweed where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Berwick-upon-Tweed to Wooler. 34 miles (54.5km) / 1818 ft (554 m) ascent
Wooler to Rothbury. 37 miles (59km) / 3084 ft (940 m) ascent
Rothbury to Hexham. 49 miles (78.5km) / 3435 ft (1047 m) ascent
Depart from Hexham after breakfast
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than 2.5 miles from the trail to your accommodation.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Taking in Northumberland's unspoilt solitude and staggering views along several sections of the route, including the ride along the coastline out of Berwick.
Racing down through Harwood Forest along wooded trails.
Enjoying the views from Warden Hill, before taking off on swooping grass tracks toward South Tyne.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
The Sandstone Way begins with a long, flat ride all the way along the Northumberland coastline. The first real slopes set in as the route heads inland toward St Cuthbert’s Cave. A long descent streaks down from Old Lyham, with even steeper downhill runs into Wooler and out of Roseden.
A hard climb up Wether Hill marks the most challenging ascent on the route, but it leads to a good descent on the far side. The Sandstone Way reaches its highest point just beyond Simonside via a staggered series of ascents. There’s another long climb after East Woodburn, with an enjoyable descent through Rawfoot to Bellingham. Walwick Fell and Warden Hill mark the last two major climbs before the Sandstone Way’s finale into Hexham, with plenty of little ridges to make sure the ride’s completion is hard-won.
The Sandstone Way boasts broad dirt trails through the remote open spaces of Northumberland. Short stints on low-traffic country lanes knit together long, off-road rides on unsurfaced bridleways and unclassified roads.
The route explores Breamish Valley on forest trails and crosses open moorland. It’s here that you’ll find the best singletrack on the Sandstone Way.
In dry conditions, a strong rider could complete the Sandstone Way on a hybrid bicycle with suitable tyres, but a dedicated mountain bike is recommended.
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites: