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Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 8 Feb 2015, 11:48am
by glenntait
I'm going to be cycling up the northumberland coast and have come across a couple of questions,

1. Can you cycle to dunstanburgh castle, and then continue north along the coast to dunstan steads? Looks like a footpath but would it be passable on a thick tyred hybrid?
2. AS above, but between Dunstan steads and Low Newton, the NCN1 goes inland and I can see a footpath but just not sure about the ground quality
3. Any recommendations about the route would be gratefully received

Re: Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 8 Feb 2015, 7:55pm
by Tail End Charlie
It's a footpath, you can't cycle on it. Hacks me off when out walking and someone flies past on a path on a bike. If you must use it, please push your bike.

I've done the coast and castles route and it's a good one, there are some bits where wider tyres are a bonus but overall 28/32 mm are fine. Take time to watch the tide come in over the Lindisfarne causeway, from either side, it's magical.

Re: Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 8 Feb 2015, 9:11pm
by jdthebrit
Done it - perfectly OK hard turf - cycling prohibited but no -enforceable. Usually no walkers and very wide footprint . No problem if discreet.

Re: Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 8 Feb 2015, 9:14pm
by jdthebrit
PS If touring you must go inland after Dustanburgh past Embelton.

Re: Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 9 Feb 2015, 9:58am
by Richard Fairhurst
Craster to Dunstanburgh is (physically) cyclable on a hybrid but, as Tail End Charlie says, not legally. It would be a fun thing to do at 6pm when there's no-one about, and the castle is closed, but the path does tend to get busy at other times so it's not very considerate.

Dunstanburgh to Dunstan Steads is sandy and bumpy and not really cyclable either physically or legally.

Re: Northumberland Coast route queries

Posted: 9 Feb 2015, 11:23am
by Mark1978
Between Craster and Dunstanburgh castle is a busy walking route, so cycling down there won't be appreciated. Plus there's often a National Trust person waiting at the Craster end.

The route inland from there is very nice anyway - used on the Great North Bike Ride so I'd go that way.