The Northeast holds some of the starkest, most compelling landscapes in the UK. From the deep valleys of the North Pennines to the fringes of the Cheviots, these are the routes where the view commands your attention.
Though the city of Newcastle itself is dense and urban, half an hour behind the wheel in almost any direction puts you into spectacular driving country. To the south and west, the North Pennines offer huge, sky-dominating expanses of heather and dramatic descents into ancient stone villages. To the north, the roads skirt the edges of the Cheviot Hills and weave through dark, forested valleys. The pleasure here is scale: these roads aren't just lines on a map, but vantage points that lay the wilder edges of the Northeast out in front of your windscreen.
The eastern approach into Rothbury alongside the River Coquet. Smooth tarmac and wonderfully rhythmic, flowing bends make this a deeply satisfying transition into the Cheviot foothills.
It’s a relaxed way to enter the region, but best run early before the daytime tourist traffic builds up.
Hidden away near the Derwent Reservoir, this very twisty, single-track lane is a technical challenge paired with immediate, enclosed scenery. The surface is inconsistent, and the rapid succession of blind bends demands respect.
Traffic is almost non-existent, but stray sheep on the road are far less predictable than a tractor.
Tucked into the hills near Bishop Auckland, this single-track route is narrow, winding, and completely immersed in the rural landscape. It’s not about driving dynamics, but rather the quiet isolation of the Durham dales.
Sightlines vanish into sudden dips, demanding constant attention to the road surface ahead.
Dropping southward towards Blanchland, this road mixes flowing bends with occasional tighter descents. The transition from high open ground down into the sheltered, wooded valley is visually striking.
The historic village of Blanchland at the bottom is a natural, heavily photographed waypoint to let the brakes cool.
Sweeping eastwards across the lower fringes of the moors near Cockfield Fell, this is a smooth, gentle route. The low curve density means the car settles into a long, easy rhythm, leaving you free to take in the vast skies.
The wide grass verges are a common parking spot for locals walking dogs, so keep an eye out for sudden movement.
A rough, single-track climb leading out of Middleton-in-Teesdale. It won't win any awards for surface quality, but the raw, unpolished Teesdale scenery is the entire point of the detour.
Patience is mandatory; you will inevitably find yourself reversing to a passing place for an oncoming farm vehicle.
Perched above Castleside, this relatively short stretch packs in tighter, spirited curves while overlooking the Derwent valley. The dual-track road requires reading the camber, but the elevation provides excellent vantage points.
Glimpses of the Derwent Reservoir off to the west provide a sudden, vast contrast to the enclosed farmland.
Cutting a line through Hexhamshire towards Allendale Town, this route blends pastoral charm with sudden, wide-open vistas. It’s a road of varied surfaces and moderate curves, demanding just enough attention to keep things interesting.
The approach into Allendale tightens up sharply through stone-walled sections, requiring a sensible drop in pace.
Following the North Tyne valley north from Wark, this smooth, well-sighted road provides a masterclass in relaxed, scenic motoring. The tarmac weaves gently alongside the river, flanked by ancient woodland and rolling fields.
Morning mist often hangs heavily over the river here in autumn, making the early drive atmospheric but slippery.
Climbing high over the North Pennines from Stanhope, this dual-track route offers immense, sweeping panoramas of the surrounding moorland. The road itself is flowing and open, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the landscape without constantly fighting the wheel.
The descent northbound towards Weardale reveals the whole valley below; try it in late afternoon for the best light.
Drop a start and end anywhere on the map, tune your route and Drivelines builds you a drive.