Possibly the toughest, and certainly the remotest, of the northern Coast-to-Coast routes.
Like the classic C2C, the Reivers runs from Workington to Tynemouth. It takes a northerly course via Carlisle and rural Northumberland, with a truly wild 35-mile section through Kielder Forest until you emerge on the shores of the eponymous reservoir.
Surfaces can be rough and the ascents tough, and advance planning is essential to ensure you don't get stranded in an area without accommodation. But it's a thoroughly memorable ride which the experienced or ambitious tourer will treasure.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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Ridden this route? Write a ride report and share your experience…
I cycled this underappreciated route in July 2023. You can read my journal of the trip here:
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/25245
Rode most of the Reivers as part of a there and back again from Newcastle using C2C for the return leg.
From Newcastle Station, west along the Tyne / Hadrian’s Cycleway as far as Wylam, then turning north to join The Reivers Way east of Matfen. Stopped in Matfen for lunch at village shop/café (excellent cheese scones), then west across farm lanes to Bellingham. Lovely wild country but quite a lot of farm gates on this stretch. Tea and excellent carrot cake in the former workhouse in Bellingham, then up past Kielder. As it was late afternoon, we stayed on the fast main road rather than use the lakeside path, and stayed with the on-road route rather than the forestry track through Kielder Forest, very little traffic and good tarmac so we made good time. Up to the pass and then into Scotland, turning south towards Newcastleton. Overnighted at The Grapes in Newcastleton, excellent stop, landlord and staff very helpful, secure bike storage, good food and beer, warm clean rooms with good showers. Fellow reivers from Holland going the other way were also staying there.
Second day south towards Carlisle, very up and down for the first ten miles or so to Bewcastle, before turning towards the Solway Firth. Into Carlisle from the north, via the attractive village of Rockcliffe, lunch at John Watt and Son teashop (excellent toasted sandwiches and tea). Out of Carlisle south, following the river for a long stretch, before turning west at Hesket Newmarket to cross Caldbeck Common. Sharp squall from the West made the common hard going, but dramatic views up to the Back o’ Skiddaw. Round Bassenthwaite as the squall cleared, through Cockermouth and to Great Broughton, overnighted at the Broughton Craggs Hotel.
Start of third day out to the coast, and along the old railway line path to Whitehaven to meet up with the C2C.
Reivers is an absolute classic, C2C a bit more showy (Lakes/Pennines) but Reivers rather more remote and secret. Memorable stuff.