The Scottish Borders and Northumberland rank among the finest and most scenic parts of Britain, and this guide brings you detailed maps and descriptions of forty original cycle routes in the area, varying in length from 15 to well over 40 miles. Most, but not all of them, have off-road sections, but there is a wide variety, and if you enjoy cycling then you should be able to find something here to suit your tastes. Some of the routes are content to wander along leafy lanes and through quiet villages, while others are more demanding and will take you to wild and remote hills and mountains. This part of the country is often overlooked by tourists, and yet its secrets are there to be discovered by those who take time to seek them out. The coastline varies from craggy cliffs, like those found at St Abbs Head, to the miles of golden sand that are Druridge Bay. Inland, the coastal plains give way to upland areas such as the Lammermuirs, the Southern Uplands, the Cheviots and the Pennines, all of which have their own characteristics and all of which offer their own challenges. The Northumberland National Park, in particular, is in stark contrast to its neighbour on the other side of the country, the Lake District National Park. The scenery in both is quite stunning but whereas, in the Lake District it's often difficult to get away from crowds, in the Northumberland Park you can often cycle all day and seldom see a soul. The same can be said of parts of the Southern Uplands and this area has its own unique blend of both isolation and charm in equal measure.