 A new walking trail offers stunning countryside to enjoy – just a few miles and a short bus ride from the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead. And on the Red Kite Trail you may well catch a glimpse of the stunning birds of prey themselves, soaring over valleys where they have been released back into the wild. The 18km circular trail is broken down into shorter sections and couldn’t be easier to reach. Go North East branded ‘Red Kite’ and ‘Derwent Ranger’ buses (routes 45, 46, 46A, 47 and 47A) whisk you into the country from Newcastle’s Eldon Square and Central Station in less than half an hour, up to six times every hour. Get off at Winlaton Mill to find a special display at the bus shelter telling you all you need to know about the trail – then set off through the beautiful woodland of Derwenthaugh Country Park, in the shadow of Gibside National Trust estate. Bus 69 from Pelaw, Felling, Low Fell and Lobley Hill also takes walkers to the gates of the country park at Swalwell, as do many buses from Ryton, Blaydon and MetroCentre. The Trail has been developed by Gateshead Council and the Northern Kites partnership, with support from Durham County Council. Nexus are upgrading bus shelters on the route with information for walkers – tied in with Go North East’s Red Kite and Derwent Ranger buses. Trail guides are available as free downloads at www.northernkites.org.uk/redkitetrail and full colour fold-out trail guides can be obtained through the region’s local Tourist Information Centres. Travel information can be found at www.nexus.org.uk or from North East Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. Between 2004 and 2006, 94 young kites were released into the wild in Derwent valley while new chicks have been born and reared in the wild since 2006.
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