Hadrian's Cycleway - Advice Centre

This is a page containing tips and advice, about Hadrian's Cycleway.
It is here for anyone who has recently ridden the route to post anything which you think
may help others plan their trip i.e. route closures and diversions, road works or even
dodgy corners, slippery bridge surfaces etc. which you have encountered on your travels.

Mile 170.3 East Howdon Bypass - North Tyneside
Due to the work to construct the new Second Tyne Road Tunnel the crossing over the East Howdon Bypass has become more hazardous.
The northbound carriageway is now closed and fenced off - all traffic now uses the southbound carriageway in both directions. There is a speed limit of 40 mph - but this is being ignored.
During rush hours it may take a while to cross.

OBSERVE THE WARNING SIGNS AND TAKE GREAT CARE IN CROSSING
ENSURE TO LOOK BOTH WAYS

The construction site has now been fenced off - the fence follows the edge of cycle route.
There will also be a slight change to the cycle route
when a new site access road is built from the nearby roundabout.

Hadrian's Cycleway Forum
A page for Hadrian's Cycleway has been set up on the C2C and Northern Cycle Routes Forum
Please use this to post comments, suggestions, experiences, requests etc. about HCW.
Click here for direct link to the Forum page for Hadrian's Cycleway - route 72.

Hadrian's Cycleway Map
The Sustrans route map has sold out and no longer available from the Sustrans shop.
If you need a map contact this website - I have a very limited stock of maps available.
A revised map is being prepared and should be available later this year.

New Route Opening soon at Flimby - mile 35.0 to 35.0
A new section of the cycle route between Workington and Maryport, around Flimby, (between St. Helens and Risehow) is due to come in use by the end of July once a small bridge is put in place.
Some of the farm tracks have already been regraded and surfaced.
This replaces the temporary unsigned route via the rough farm tracks.
This new section will be signed once ground works are completed.
The subway under the railway at Risehow - mile 35 - is also now in use - see photos
This new section provides a safe route avoiding the very busy A596(T) road.
Take care at the 2 road crossings over the A596(T) at each end of the new section.

Cordless Trip Computers
When passing the very large aerial array at Anthorn - mile 68 to 71 you may notice your cordless trip computer is not functioning - this is due to interference from the signals broadcast from these aerials. The BBC Time signal is transmitted from here along with other more secret stuff.

Lemington - mile 156.8 to 158.8
The alternative route via Lemington is no longer part of the National Cycle Network and all reference to NCR 72 or Hadrian's Cycleway has been removed from signs.
This route will not be shown on the next edition of the Hadrian's Cycleway map.

Advance Warning - temporary route closure at Newburn - Mile 156
The National Grid is carrying out work on the electricity pylons and cables where they cross the Tyne.
A short section of the riverside path (alongside the Newburn Sports Centre) will be closed in August and early September when the cables are lowered and later hoisted back into position.
A signed diversion will be put in place using the local bridleway paths or use the alternative on-road route via Blayney Row and Grange Road to re-join off road route again at Newburn Bridge.

Unsigned junction - eastbound at Brampton - Mile 102.0 (4/4/2008)
There is an unsigned junction on the entry into Brampton at Mile 102.0.
After passing under the A69(T) road - continue uphill to an acute junction - bear right and 100 yards turn LEFT downhill on Gelt Road. At bottom of hill turn right to enter the Market Place.
It is hoped to get a sign post erected here soon.

Shields Ferry - Mile 172.5
Fare have been increased now single £1.10 return £2.00 - bikes are still free.

4/10/2007 - Hadrian's Cycleway now mapped on BikeRadar.com & Bikely.com
For index of HCW route sections currently available click

3rd. Oct. 2007 Workington - mile 30.2
The Pow Street tunnel underpass, Central Way, has been made one-way northbound, with no provision for southbound cyclists !!!
See this link for full newspaper report and local reaction !!
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=548656

CYCLIST DISMOUNT signs are to be erected for southbound riders who should walk through the underpass.

Looking northwards at the Pow Street Underpass
OK to cycle Northbound as shown - southbound cyclists should dismount and walk.

Link route from Newcastle Station to Quayside and Hadrian's Cycleway
A newly installed sign on Railway Terrace (NCN 72 Quayside - Wallsend - Newburn) is pointing the wrong way - ignore this and follow the small blue Hadrian's Way sign down to the riverside and HCW.
link map

Information for Tandam, Recumbant and Tricycle users
There are some sections of Hadrian's Cycleway that may pose problems for those riding unusual bikes.
I will try and list the problem sections and give guidance on a way around the section involved.
If you know of any other problem areas please let me know.
Ravenglass
The footbridge alongside the rail viaduct is narrow - recumbents and tricycles may find it difficult to cross. Alternative is the tidal ford at very low tide or on road via A595(T).
Drigg
The route via the Pack Horse Bridge, mile 3.0 to 4.3 is only suitable for Hybrid or Mountain bikes.
Use A595(T) road via Holmrook.
Whitehaven
There are several barriers between Moor Row mile 18 to 22 but you should be able to pass OK.
Flimby
Use the on-road option between mile 33.0 to 35.7
Carlisle Riverside
Barriers and steps on riverside track and kissing gate at entrance to Rickerby Park via Memorial Bridge.
It is best to bypass this section by staying on road between mile 85.7 and 89.1 and pass Carlilse Castle then over A7 Eden Bridge to rejoin Hadrian's Cycleway in Rickerby Park.
Hexham
The two level crossings can be avoided by staying on the riverside path through Tyne Green Park
Ryton Island - mile 155.2.
The kissing gate and horse step can be avoided by using the on-road option. At end of Wylam Waggonway continue ahead on road to T-jcn - turn right back to join the riverside path.
Newcastle
Follow main route via Newburn Riverside NOT the old Lemington Route.
Barrier at mile 164.7 can be bypassed by using route via Toucan Crossing.
Barriers at Pottery Bank cannot be avoided at mile 165.8 but it is fairly easy to lift a bike over the adjacent horse step.

May 21st - Seascale to Sellafield foreshore path, mile 7.0 to 8.0
Work has now been completed on improving the foreshore path between Seascale and the River Calder rail bridge at Sellafield by by exposing the original tarmac path, widening the concrete sleeper section and by laying Netpave panels over the soft sand patches. The path beneath the rail bridge has been NetPaved and a spiral ramp up to the pedestrian bridge improved also.
Beware of the Low Headroom under the rail bridge.
This work was funded by BNFL and carried out by Sustrans maintenance staff.

May 13th - Hadrian's Wall Bus AD 122
This bus service now starts from Newcastle Central Station and runs to Carlisle where a change of bus is required for most onward journeys to Bowness on Solway.
For full time table details / cost / booking bikes etc click here.

24/7/2006 - Wallsend - Anti-vehicle bollards
Mile 168.0 Beware of low plain square wood bollards in the track on both sides of this road crossing.
Mile 168.2 Exit from railpath at the "Red Arch" - Beware of low wood bollard in centre of the track.

Muncaster Guest House - 6/9/2005
The "bridleway" section from Ravenglass to Drigg is very narrow and unsuitable for tandems.
In parts even tricky for solo riders
Doug says - the bridle way route from Saltcoates to Drigg via Holme Packhorse Bridge is NOT at present part of Hadrian's Cycleway & will not be until it is reconstructed to NCN standards which is some time off - the path gets extremely muddy after wet weather and is NOT recommended for any bikes. The unmarked path around the field edge is bumpy.
It is recommended you use the A595 road via Holmrook to Drigg.

CARLISLE - Sept 2005
The signage along the riverbank is very poor or non existant - take great care navigating this section - do not rely on OS maps which shows a route that does not exist on the ground. Eastbound riders :- alternate ON ROAD route via B6307 to roundabout and join A595 dual carriageway to pass entrance to Carlisle Castle - next left down and through car park into Bitts park to rejoin route at riverside by road underpass.

Westbound Riders:- after passing under the disused rail bridge go up steps / wheeling ramp and turn away from the river heading towards the industrial estate - pass down narrow path - thro estate to join B6307 to Kirkandrews.

7/9/2004 Secure Car Parking on Tyneside and Transport to Cumbria

This report received from Deanna Robinson from Linconshire who rode Hadrian's Cycleway at the end of August Thanks for the advice on leaving the car at Hadrian Lodge Hotel, it worked well and infact made us change our travel arrangements to the West side.Leaving the car and having the bag delivered on the final day at Hadrian's Lodge Hotel meant we only had to retrace a few miles from Tynemouth. If you stay at the Hotel the night before there is no charge for leaving the car there - (otherwise £2.00 per day) but make sure you leave the car registration or you get clamped - apparently it's very strictly controlled, so no leaving it to chance.
The bag was kept in a locked room and they have a locked indoor facility for keeping bikes too.

Originally we were going to take the Arriva train from Newcastle but there were a couple of difficulties with this - we discovered that each train is supposed to only take 2 bikes on board, some drivers are more lenient but if not we would have had to have travelled on separate trains, in addition to which you can't book the bikes on the train in advance so if others were there before us it could have spread the journey out somewhat. Also, we had the problem of changing at Carlisle or doing the journey out to the coast and then back. So ......We decided to take the Hadrian's Wall bus 'AD122' which worked brilliantly. It can take up to 4 bikes which you can book in advance. It starts at Wallsend Metro station (very handy for Hadrian Lodge Hotel - 1/2 mile to the east) and goes all the way out to Bowness - i.e. not too much to go down the coast and retrace. Click here for map showing location of Hadrian Lodge Hotel and Wallsend Metro Station

There are several buses a day but only one which does the whole journey with capacity for bikes at 9.15am daily, some with a guide. The journey was quite long but with the guide was really interesting as they pointed out the various Roman sights and added a bit of geology etc. The journey was almost 4 hours but they stopped at Hexham Tourist Info for toilets and again at Once Brewed information - a 10 minute stop here whilst the bus does a loop. It was an enjoyable journey in itself and we got to see some of the terrain we would be covering on the way back!
Click here for AD122 bus time table

Newcastle Quayside - 18/03/2004
Along the riverside promenades are scattered short bollards across the width of the paving - these are only approx. 500 mm high and painted black all over. If in a large close knit group of riders it can be easy NOT to spot these and run into them. Most are to be found in the area below the bridges and outside the Copthorne Hotel

14/01/2004
NCN 72 & C2C - Newcastle Central Station - Left Luggage
There is a left luggage office - located on Platform 12. Cost £4.00 per item and no pre-booking is required. No time limit but check when you leave anything.
Note to reach the Central Station from Tynemouth you will have to cycle back along NCN 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway - see link map.
Bikes are NOT permitted on the Metro Light rail system unless they are of the folding variety ie Bromptons etc.