Falstone Trail

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Amazing Kielder Water and North Tyne Valley views.

This appealing route takes you along both sides of the lovely River North Tyne on quiet roads and forest tracks, with the vast expanse of Kielder Water and valley views as you cross the dam.

The border reiver outlaws would have seen a very different landscape 500 years ago. This was a deep, lush river valley before the reservoir was built in the 1970s, but you can still find clues that the reivers were here. Spot the remains of a bastle (a fortified farmhouse) at Gordon’s Walls beside the dam at Hawkhope, and climb up to ruined 13^th century Dally Castle on a mound beside the route. This was an early ‘hall house’, a fortified manor house with remarkably thick walls, built to withstand raiders and robbers.

Key Facts

Length	24.30 KM (15.10Miles)
Difficulty
Max Elevation	1083 (330m)
Type	Loop
Surface	Gravel & road surfaces

Suitable for ...

Walking4.00 hrs

Cycling2.00 hrs

Horse Riding3.00 hrs

Trail Information

Start Points

Start

Good For

WildlifeChild FriendlyAccessibleDogs

Facilities

Parking - Kielder Dam
Cafe
Team Cycles Kielder

Parking

Hawkhope Car Park

Refreshments

Falstone

Route download

This route is available to download for your GPS device or as a PDF document.

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Trail Map

Trail Description

The trail works really well in either direction and can be started from the car parks either side of the dam. The trail has some steady climbs and thrilling descents, but the views of the North Tyne are truly awesome and more than worth the effort.

Stop off at the café or Blackcock pub in Falstone (check websites for opening times).

Keep an eye out!

Tarset’s troubled past. As you pass close by, think of the shocking daytime raid on Tarset by notorious Scottish border reiver Kinmont Willie Armstrong in September 1584. His 300 men reportedly stole 140 cattle, 60 horses and 500 sheep, set fire to 60 houses and killed ten men, leaving hardship and homelessness in their wake.

Stories in stone. Stop off at Falstone's tranquil St Peter’s Churchyard to find the last resting place of many local reiving family members, including Elliots, Armstrongs, Robsons and Hedleys.