What is the Great North Trail?

The 800-mile Great North Trail links the Pennine Bridleway with the northern tips of mainland Scotland, through some of Britain’s most stunning upland areas and four National Parks.

Plans to extend the Pennine Bridleway into Scotland were proposed in 1999, but 20 years later, we’re still waiting.

So Cycling UK decided to take on the challenge and develop an alternative route which you can ride right now.

This route isn’t perfect. Sometimes, an ideal connecting trail is designated as a footpath rather than a bridleway, so we’ve had to take the long way round and include a quiet on-road section.

In places, we’ve managed to negotiate permissive access, but in other areas, the process is still ongoing.

The route will continue to evolve as we campaign for increased off-road access for cycling, bringing opportunities for adventures by bike within reach of everyone.

Cycling UK’s vision is of a network of connected off-road recreational cycling routes across the length and breadth of Great Britain, through amazing places and wild landscapes.

So whether it’s for an epic long-distance challenge, a weekend away, or a fantastic day out, get out there and have an adventure.