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Hiking trails & Routes

North East England

Craster

View of Dunstanburgh Castle – View of Muckle Carr loop from Craster

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

North East England

Craster

View of Dunstanburgh Castle – View of Muckle Carr loop from Craster

Moderate

5.0

(8)

114

hikers

View of Dunstanburgh Castle – View of Muckle Carr loop from Craster

02:40

10.2km

80m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Northumberland Coast National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.83 km

Beach

5.26 km

Howick Haven Rock Formations

Highlight • Viewpoint

The rocks on the North side of the haven reveal distinct layers of pale and black rock, formed in calm estuarine conditions. The black rock, made of shale or mudstone, settled in slow-moving water, while the paler rock, composed of fine-grained sandstone or siltstone, formed in slightly faster currents.

Keep an eye out for remnants of a marine sandbank and a thin coal seam, offering glimpses into the area's past. As you continue, notice the tabular crossbedding in the sandstone, resembling patterns formed by flowing water around obstacles. These layers showcase the dynamic forces that have shaped this remarkable landscape.

On the South side, a similar sequence can be observed, sans the coal. The sandstones, with their warm yellow to brown colors, owe their hues to ferric hydroxide, adding a touch of vibrancy to the scenery.

Pay attention to the subtle differences in the rock layers' orientation. The varying strikes—around 50 degrees on the North side and 30 degrees on the South side—hint at a fault's presence, influencing the land and guiding the path of the Howick burn.

Tip by

5.79 km

Rumbling Kern

Highlight • Natural

The Rumbling Kern is characterized by a distinctive rumbling or booming sound that occurs when waves crash against the rocks. This unique acoustic effect is caused by the shape, composition, and layout of the rocks in the area. When struck by powerful waves, the rocks resonate and produce an audible rumble, hence the name "Rumbling Kern."

Tip by

6.01 km

Smugglers Cove (Craster)

Highlight • Beach

A small cove near Craster where legend has it the Vikings once accessed the beaches of Northumberland and Pirates hid their treasures.

Tip by

6.12 km

The Bathing House, Howick Haven

Highlight • Beach

Beautiful house with history by the sea with its own little beach next to it.

Tip by

6.79 km

Hindson Cove

Highlight • Viewpoint

7.47 km

Swine Den and Cullernose Point

Highlight • Gorge

Swine den is a rocky bay situated below Cullernose point. The cliff at Cullernose point is stained white due to the many nesting seabirds who call it home.

Tip by

7.76 km

View of Dunstanburgh Castle

Highlight • Historical Site

Great view towards the castle. Early in the morning you can see songbirds and seagulls as well as deer, hares and pheasants.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.81 km

View of Muckle Carr

Highlight • Viewpoint

Muckle, meaning large, is the larger of the two islets offshore from craster harbour. They were the only protection to Craster before the harbour was built.

Tip by

9.33 km

Craster Heugh

Forest

10.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.19 km

3.68 km

1.67 km

391 m

266 m

Surfaces

3.77 km

2.24 km

2.10 km

1.85 km

146 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 29 June

19°C

12°C

52 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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View of Dunstanburgh Castle – View of Muckle Carr loop from Craster

Howick Haven Rock Formations

Rumbling Kern

Smugglers Cove (Craster)

The Bathing House, Howick Haven

Hindson Cove

Swine Den and Cullernose Point

View of Dunstanburgh Castle

View of Muckle Carr

Nearby routes

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