Hadrian's Cycleway

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.

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Overview

Hadrian's Cycleway is a 174 mile route from Ravenglass in Cumbria to South Shields. Also known as Route 72, this coast-to-coast route heads north up the Cumbrian coast to reach the Solway AONB before crossing northern England along Hadrian's Wall and into Northumberland. Suitable for cyclists of all abilities, the ride is usually completed over three days from west to east.

The route allows cyclists to explore Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, visiting Roman forts including Vindolanda and Housesteads as well as milecastles, abbeys and historic towns. Other highlights include the Cumbrian coast, Tyne Valley and the famous Sycamore Gap.

While the main route is described from west to east over three days, the guide provides plenty of information about other options. Advice is given at the end of each stage about how to complete the route from east to west, as the route can be used in connection with other coast to coast routes to create week-long round trips. Other itineraries include a two-day Wall Only ride from Bowness-on-Solway to South Shields, and a 'More Wall Alternative' to Day 2. The guide also features extensive listings of accommodation, bike shops and other cyclist-friendly facilities.

Table of Contents

Contents
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

Updates

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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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