Hamsterley Forest - Half Marathon Route

Check out the route on Strava:
- https://www.strava.com/routes/2759877585105340114 

Parked for free by the side of the road at Bedburn - approx DL13 3NP. The way out is up-hill for 11km  - a slow climb for +350m through the forest. The 9th km in particular is a bit of a monster going up for around +100m. I went really early in the morning - but probably best making sure you keep well to the side of the paths to make sure descending mountain bikes don't give any cause for concern.

You are deep in the countryside - so this also means that mobile phone coverage is really poor - so make sure you have your GPS working on an app like Strava. Also, with trail roads and a lot of hills - it'll feel like further than a HM - so make sure you have 30km in your legs. A proper outdoor run!

Selected photos...
Some nice artwork around the visitor centre

Misty, damp, Autumn morning

Mountain bike heaven
Strava Segment of note:
Hill from Hell - +84m in 850m - see if you can sprint up it ;)

Useful links:
Official Hamsterley Forest website:


Series:
For a list of different half marathon routes around the North East of England see:

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