Image shared for Cragside - Carriage Drive Circular
Countryside Circular

Cragside - Carriage Drive Circular

Northumberland

Distance
5.6 mi
Est. time
3h
Difficulty
Medium
Put a date on this walk View route
PaulWalkmates Route by PaulWalkmates

About this walk

About 5.5 miles, roughly 3 hours on foot, starting and ending in Rothbury. This route sits high above the Coquet Valley and gives you sweeping views of the surrounding hills and countryside as you follow old tracks once used by horse-drawn carriages.

Begin in Rothbury at the old Tourist Information Centre. Head north out of the village past the river and up through the streets before climbing steadily out of the centre. Early on you’ll pick up views back over the flat haugh where the old racecourse once stood and across the valley toward the distinctive flat top of the Simonside Hills.

Once on the old carriageway, the walking eases. The track was engineered for horses so it stays mostly level as it winds its way around the contours of the land. Head out along this broad, well-used route, the valley opening up beneath you.

Partway along, a short rough path branches off to a stone cairn and viewpoint. Here you get a wide view back to Rothbury, the church spire and car parks by the river visible below, and the wooded slopes of Cragside rising beyond.

After the viewpoint, return to the main carriageway and continue. As you walk, you’ll pass through woods, skirt field edges and enjoy a sense of space that comes with higher ground. The final section drops you back down toward Rothbury along a mix of track and path, eventually bringing you back into the village streets and your start point.

Good boots and waterproofs matter here. Conditions underfoot vary with the weather and parts of the route, especially the steeper bits early on and at the end, can be muddy and uneven.

Walk details

Main location
Alnwick
Nearby towns
Alnwick , Rothbury
Walk type
Circular
Category
Countryside
Distance
5.6 mi (9.0 km)
Est. time
3h
Explorer
Yes, off the beaten track

Route map

Use the route details to plan your walk

If the map image does not load, the route description and starting-point details are still on this page.

Route map for Cragside - Carriage Drive Circular

The interactive map will load when you reach this section.

Where to start

Directions to start

Walking on your own?

Start when you're ready and add the walk to your history. No group date needed.

Walk this route on your own

Save the route

Use the route details if the map image does not load.
Route map
Share the route link if the card image does not load.
Walk card
Save map Save card

This walk is waiting for a date

Not ready to pick a date? Follow it and you'll hear when somebody else does.

No commitment. You can follow it now and pick a date later.

Along the route

17 places
The Still Room
Cafe · 0.0 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 0.0 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 2.0 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 3.2 mi along
Nellys Moss Car Park
Parking · 3.3 mi along
Canada Car Park
Parking · 3.8 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 4.0 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 4.7 mi along
Tea Rooms
Cafe · 5.2 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 5.2 mi along
Information
Navigation · 5.3 mi along
Information
Navigation · 5.3 mi along
Information
Navigation · 5.3 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 5.3 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 5.4 mi along
Monument
Historic sites · 5.6 mi along
Toilets
Essentials · 5.6 mi along

Joining a walk

A few things to know before you make plans.

Can I join if no one else is going?

You can be the first to join a scheduled walk. A suggested date is an idea for a group walk; choose Set this date up to organise it. Check the participant list and meeting details before setting off.

What if there is no date yet?

Choose Put a date on this walk to organise a group walk. Not ready to choose a day? Follow the route for scheduling updates, or save it for later.

What does the organiser do?

The organiser sets the date and meeting details and helps the group get started. They are a fellow walker and may be new to the route too.

Each walker is responsible for their own safety and navigation. Check the route, weather, equipment and whether the walk suits your experience and fitness.

Can I walk this route on my own?

Yes. Choose Walk this route on your own to open the start screen, then start when you are ready. Finish the walk to add it to your walking history. You do not need a group date.

What happens after I join?

Use the walk page to check meeting details, updates and who is going. Check in from 24 hours before the start to let the group know you still plan to come.

How do I confirm plans with the group?

Check the participant list and check-ins, and message the organiser or other walkers to confirm where to meet and who is coming. This is especially useful when the group is small.