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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Discover Durham's Great Outdoors > A challenge > Challenging rides

Challenging rides

Head out on a cycling adventure with these top picks of long distance and challenging cycle routes across the county.

To view more wild and wonderful biking trails in Durham click here >> 

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  1. Cycling at Hamsterley Forest

    Add Hamsterley Forest - Blue Cycle Trail to your Itinerary

    Hamsterley Forest - Blue Cycle Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Bishop Auckland

    Blue Trail - Moderate, suitable for intermediate cyclists/ mountain bikers with basic off road riding skills.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hamsterley Forest - Blue Cycle Trail
  2. Stanhope to Killhope Cycle Route

    Add Stanhope to Killhope Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    Stanhope to Killhope Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Stanhope, Bishop Auckland

    A 35 mile circular cycle route from Stanhope to Killhope and back again. Breathtaking views, breathtaking hills.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Stanhope to Killhope Cycle Route
  3. North Pennines in Autumn

    Add Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    The UK's most popular 'challenge' cycle route passes through the northern Lake District before climbing the Pennines, 'the roof of England', and then descending to the railway paths of Durham Dales.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route
  4. Two people on bikes at the coast

    Add North Sea Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    North Sea Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    passing through County Durham.,

    The North Sea Cycle Route is a 6,000km route based on existing national, regional and local cycle routes in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England, passing through Durham county.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for North Sea Cycle Route
  5. Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route

    Add Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Near Castleside, Consett

    Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route is a 25 mile challenging cycle route mostly off-road. It is marked on the Durham County Council North Durham Cycle Map as CDN5.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Link up the Loops - Consett to Chester-le-Street Cycle Route
  6. Cycling in Durham

    Add Bishop Auckland to Weardale Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland to Weardale Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Bishop Auckland

    An undulating circular route the length of Weardale with sharp climbs. 65 miles.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Bishop Auckland to Weardale Cycle Route
  7. Cycling at Hamsterley Forest

    Add Hamsterley Forest - Red Cycle Trail to your Itinerary

    Hamsterley Forest - Red Cycle Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Bishop Auckland

    Red Route - Difficult
    Suitable for Proficient mountain bikers with good off roading skills. suitable for better quality off road mountain bikes.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hamsterley Forest - Red Cycle Trail
  8. Hamsterley Forest - Black Cycle Trail

    Add Hamsterley Forest - Black Cycle Trail to your Itinerary

    Hamsterley Forest - Black Cycle Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Bishop Auckland

    Black Route - Severe
    Suitable for - Expert mountain bikers used to physically demanding routes. Quality off road mountain bikes.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hamsterley Forest - Black Cycle Trail
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