Hadrian's Cycleway
Coast-to-coast cycling from Ravenglass to South Shields
Hadrian's Cycleway
Coast-to-coast cycling from Ravenglass to South Shields
Guidebook to Hadrian's Cycleway, a 174 mile coast-to-coast route across northern England, following the corridor of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site. From Ravenglass in Cumbria through Northumberland to South Shields, with an alternative Tynemouth finish, on cycle paths and quiet country roads suitable for cyclists of all abilities.Cycle Hadrian's Cycleway and follow one of northern England's most historically rich long-distance routes, tracing the corridor of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site on a 174-mile (280km) coast-to-coast journey from Ravenglass in Cumbria to South Shields on the North Sea. Passing Roman forts, dramatic moorland, the Solway Coast, and the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, this waymarked route is one of Britain's most rewarding cycle touring adventures.
This trusted Cicerone guidebook by Rachel Crolla and Carl McKeating describes the full 174-mile route on quiet roads and cycle paths suitable for cyclists of all abilities, with a suggested three-day itinerary and more leisurely four- and five-day options. A shortened two-day Wall-only option and an alternative stage riding closer to Hadrian's Wall itself are also included.
- Cycle Hadrian's Cycleway in 3 days with suggested stages of 53–64 miles (85–103km), or choose a more leisurely 4 or 5-day itinerary to allow more time to explore the Roman history and landscapes along the route
- Highlights of the route include Ravenglass, the Solway Coast and AONB, Carlisle Castle, Lanercost Priory, the Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters, Hexham, the Tyne Bridge, and the Conversation Piece installation at South Shields
- Navigate with confidence using clear route descriptions with 1:100,000 mapping, city-centre detail maps, and elevation profiles, with GPX files for all route variants available to download
- Tackle a shorter two-day, 100-mile (161km) Wall-only cycle tour, or follow an alternative stage that rides closer to Hadrian's Wall than the official route, offering greater flexibility for your trip
- Plan your Hadrian's Cycleway adventure with comprehensive facilities listings, accommodation information, local history, and practical advice on travel to and from Ravenglass and South Shields
Plan your Hadrian's Cycleway adventure with confidence using this comprehensive guidebook. Immerse yourself in two thousand years of history, wild northern landscapes, and the rich heritage of Roman Britain on one of England's most compelling coast-to-coast cycle routes.
Hadrian's Cycleway - Quick Facts
Guide name: Hadrian's Cycleway
Location: Northern England, Cumbria to Tyne and Wear
Start point: Ravenglass, Cumbria
End point: South Shields (alternative finish at Tynemouth)
Distance: 174 miles (280km)
Number of stages: 3 stages (suggested); 4 and 5-day options also described
Direction: West to east (east to west also described)
Typical duration: 3–5 days; a 2-day Wall-only option of 100 miles (161km) is also included
Difficulty: Suitable for cyclists of all abilities; worth being saddle fit before attempting
Terrain: Quiet country roads and cycle paths throughout
Navigation/mapping: 1:100,000 mapping, city-centre detail maps, elevation profiles, and GPX downloads included
Key centres: Ravenglass, Whitehaven, Maryport, Silloth, Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle, Brampton, Haltwhistle, Once and Twice Brewed, Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Shields
Highlights: Hadrian's Wall, Sycamore Gap, the Solway Coast and AONB, the Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters, Carlisle Castle, Lanercost Priory, the Tyne Bridge, and the Conversation Piece installation at South Shields
Accommodation & logistics: Facilities listings, accommodation information, and practical travel advice for start and finish points
Best time to go: Suitable all year round; April to October preferred
Author Highlight
“Yet even without the enticing prospect of the Wall, HCW would be tremendous in its own right. Sustrans has done a good job designing the route predominantly on minor roads and cycle paths. While a number of towns and cities are connected on HCW, including Whitehaven, Workington, Carlisle, Haltwhistle, Hexham and the extended Newcastle urban area, these are mostly negotiated by enjoyable, cleverly worked, traffic-free cycle paths along rivers and dismantled railways.”
- Rachel Crolla, one of the authors of Hadrian's Cycleway
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781786310422
Availability
Published
Reprinted
15 Jul 2025
Published
12 Aug 2020
Edition
First
Pages
136
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .90cm
Weight
170g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
Map key
Overview map and profile
Route summary tables
Introduction
Why choose Hadrian’s Cycleway?
How tough is it?
How many days?
West to east or east to west?
Getting there and back
Where to stay
What kind of bicycle?
Equipment
Carrying your gear
What to wear
Maps and apps
Signage
Hadrian’s Wall
Who was Hadrian?
Seeing more of the Wall
Alternative endings: running late and Tynemouth
Using this guide
Hadrian’s Cycleway
The three-day ride
Day 1 Ravenglass to Silloth
Day 2 Silloth to Haltwhistle
Day 2A More Wall Alternative
Day 3 Haltwhistle to South Shields
Other itineraries
The Wall Only – a shortened two-day version
Appendix A Accommodation
Appendix B Bike shops and other useful contacts
Appendix C Further reading
Seasons
Hadrian's Cycleway can be cycled all year round, but preferably April-October.
Centres
Ravenglass, Whitehaven, Maryport, Silloth, Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle, Brampton, Haltwhistle, Once and Twice Brewed, Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, South Shields
Difficulty
This 174 mile ride is within the reach of cyclists of all abilities, via varying itineraries. The guide describes a suggested three-day of 50-60 miles per day and outlines shorter and longer options to suit all abilities. For enjoyment it is worth being saddle fit and completed some training.
Must See
Hadrian's Wall; milecastles; Sycamore Gap; Cumbrian west coast; Solway Coast and AONB; Sellafield nuclear facility; Maryport's octagonal lighthouse; Holmcultram Abbey; Burgh Marsh; Cawfield Quarry; Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads, Chesters, Glannaventa, Segedunum and Arbeia; Lanercost Priory; Carlisle Castle; Edward I memorial; Steel Rigg; Corbridge; Roman Army Museum; Tyne Bridge; Conversation Piece installation at South Shields
June 2022
Date error
On p27 the text should read: 'The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar began the gradual process of conquering Britain in 55 BC. However, the true conquest began in earnest under Emperor Claudius in 43 AD.'
December 2021
2022 reprint route updates
1042 Reprint 2022 (3.838 MB)
September 2021
Recommended route through Carlisle
Unfortunately, the first section of the authors' recommended route through Carlisle beside the river, which was formerly the official primary route of HCW before the 2015 flooding, is not presently passible. This is due to a landowner now blocking access, rather than being a result of flood damage.
The authors have liaised with Sustrans regarding the present route line of the HCW. The situation looks unlikely to change in the short to medium term. Therefore, from summer 2021 onwards, it will be necessary to use the on-road route via Newton Road, passing the McVities Factory to reach Carlisle Castle, where a left down Mayor's Drive towards Sheepmount Athletics Stadium allows access to the second half of the pleasant river route through Bitts Park and Rickerby Park.
We will update here if there are any changes to the access situation.
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