Walking Cragside

What kind of walk are you looking for?

• A long adventurous hike

  There are two extra-long waymarked walks at Cragside; the Hydro-power Trail and the Views of Cragside Walk. At 6.5 and 5 miles long, they are more of a hike that could take up most of your visit.

  Hydro-power Trail, 6.5 miles, follow the purple waymarkers
  The Hydro-power Trail takes you to every bit of technology used to harness the power of water. You will also walk the banks of engineered lakes, which were the vital waterstores to power hydraulics and generate hydroelectricity. This walk will give you a sense of the size and scale of Armstrong's industrious planning while experiencing the couple's enormous landscapes country create for beauty and function. Download the map and directions.

  Views of Cragside, 5 miles, follow the black waymarkers (re-opening 3 April)
  Along the Views of Cragside walk, you'll experience some of the scenic views across the hills of Northumberland and beyond. Between gaps in the trees and from well-placed benches you'll uncover vistas showing a patchwork of fields stretching into the distance, the Simonside Hills breaking up the horizon and the rugged heathery moorland to the north. This walk also passes through the Formal Garden where you can spend some time exploring the flowering beds. Download the map and directions.

• A gentle stroll

  Nelly's Moss, 1.5 miles, follow the blue waymarkers
  If you are visiting mid-week (and outside of the school holidays) Nelly's Moss makes a peaceful walk to stretch your legs and immerse yourself in nature. It's fairly flat and there's plenty of picnic benches to stop along the banks of these twin lakes at the very top of the estate. Download the map and directions.

  Armstrong Trail, 2 miles, following the green waymarkers
  If you've never been to Cragside before, the Armstrong Trail is a great place to start. There's a couple of hill climbs and steps on either side of the Iron Bridge. You'll start with a walk around the banks of Tumbleton Lake before taking the steps into the Debdon Valley. Under the canopy of enormous trees, you will follow the track that hugs the burn. From here the famous view of the House and Iron Bridge will appear between the surrounding tree trunks. Once you've crossed the impressive bridge that spans the Valley, you'll walk down into the Pinetum before making your way to the Powerhouse where you'll discover how William Armstrong harnessed the power of water to light the House. Download the map and directions.

• A ramble through history

  Piece together Cragside's pioneering past or simply enjoy the wonders of the Armstrongs' vast landscaped garden on a waymarked walk through history.

  Gun Walk, 3 miles, follow the red waymarkers
  This challenging walk follows the route of the Armstrongs' gamekeepers. Walk between impressive rock formations, along craggy paths, and through tunnels of rhododendrons. It loops around Cragend Quarry where sandstone was blasted to build the House. You'll catch a glimpse of Nelly's Moss Lakes, which were the vital water stores for generating hydroelectricity, before treking back downhill. We recommend stopping to admire the views of the sprialling chimneys above the House. Download the map and directions.

  Armstrong Trail, 2 miles, following the green waymarkers
  If you've never been to Cragside before, the Armstrong Trail is a great place to start. You'll start with a walk around the banks of Tumbelton Lake before taking the steps into the Debdon Valley. Under the canopy of enormous trees, you will follow the track that hugs the burn. From here the famous view of the House and Iron Bridge will appear between the tree trunks. Once you've crossed the impressive bridge the spans the Valley, you'll walk down into the Pinetum - home to some of the tallest trees of their kind in the country - and make you way to the Powerhouse where you'll discover how William Armstrong turned water into light. Download the map and directions.

  Hydro-power Trail, 6.5 miles, follow the purple waymarkers
  On the Hydro-power Trail you will discover all of William Armstrong's additions to the grounds that were put in place to harness the power of water. This walk will give you a sense of the size a scale of Armstrong's industrious thinking. You'll walk the banks of 3 engineered lakes, follow the path alongside the Timber Flume which was the very beginning of the hydroelectricity journey, have a chance to see the technology in the Pump House (hydraulics) and Powerhouse (hydroelectricity) all while experiencing the couple's enormous landscaped garden that was designed for beauty and function. Download the map and directions.

• Off the beaten track

  Between Dunkirk and Blackburn Lake, you will experience a rockier side of the grounds. Although rugged in appearance, this area was meticulously landscaped. Giant boulders were carefully perched on hillsides with cranes, stone steps climb the hillside and paths lead between the rock. You will feel as though you've stepped into another world rather than somewhere in Northumberland.

  Rocky Ramble, 1.5 miles, follow the brown waymarkers
  This short circular walk starts and finishes at Dunkirk car park which is the first stop around the Carriage Drive. The waymarkers will leads you up stone steps, through tunnels cut into the rock, and along paths than hug the rugged cliff face of the crag. Download the map and directions.

  Building Cragside Walk, 2.5 miles, follow the yellow waymarkers
  This route is not for the faint hearted. It may be short, but it's mighty. Also starting at Dunkirk, this walk will lead you between the trees and along paths between giant boulders. You'll experience steep rocky climbs on the way to Cragend Quarry, where stone was dynamited to build the House and the Rock Garden. Download the map and directions.

  Wetland Walk, 1.5 miles, follow the orange waymarkers
  The Wetland Walk leads you to Blackburn, Cragside's direst lake. This walk features tree-lined paths, sandstone routes and archways of rhododendron on the way to a thatched boathouse. There's a steep climb towards the end, but the view from the top is worth it. There's a well-placed bench for you to rest your legs here too. Download the map and directions.

• A walk with the kids

  Taking on a waymarked walk with the kids is a great way to get them exploring the great outdoors with the extra added confidence boost of regular waymarkers to find. Challenge young ones to find the next waymarker while you enjoy the scenery and stretch your legs.

  Nelly's Moss, 1.5 miles, follow the blue waymarkers
  Children's challenge: During the sunny months, the lakes are teaming with tadpoles. Keep a look out for herons, greylag geese and frogs and toads hopping by.

  A stroll around Nelly's Moss is really popular with families. It's reasonably flat and the path is easy to follow as it loops around the twin lakes located on the top of the grounds. You will pick up the waymarkers from the exit to Crozier car park which is right next to the adventure play area. Download the map and directions.

  Inspiration Walk, 2 miles, follow the pink waymarkers
  Children's challenge: As you explore the weaving paths, keep a look out for more inspirational words chiselled rock in the most unusual places.
  The Inspiration Walk includes a climb up a zig-zagged path that traverses the hillside. Also starting at Crozier car park, the routes leads to Slippper Lake, which is a great place for dragonfly spotted. Next up, you'll start the climb up the crag which is marked with a William Armstrong quote carved into a stone. Click here to view a map and directions.

  Rocky Ramble, 1.5 miles, follow the brown waymarkers
  Children's challenge: get the kids to find the waymakers as you explore.
  The Rocky Ramble will feel like a mini adventure with stone steps to climb, tunnels through rock and a path that hugs the rugged cliff face. It's great with older children who are up for discovering somewhere new. It's short and circular so you could squeeze in another walk elsewhere on the grounds afterwards. Click here to view a the map and directions.