Bowes Railway Path
Tanfield Railway to Wardley

A convenient place to start is from the Tanfield Railway car park.

WARNING
Parts of the Bowes Railpath were severely damaged
during the storms in 2012 between Springwell and Tanfield Railway
Only suitable by mountain bikes with care.

all along this section as far as Kibblesworth there are various sculptures

From the Tanfield Railway car park - cross A6076 road then immediate left down a rough lane.
After 1/4 mile begin steep descent crossing three roads - passing Kibblesworth (L) - where the gradient lessens.

Cross over Greenford Lane and the River Team to lowest point on the Bowes Railway Path.

After passing under the old Tyne Marshalling Yard and the East Coast Mainline Railway the route begins the very steep ascent up the other side of the Team Valley.


Before
After
Bowes Railpath passing under the Tyne Marshalling Yard at Team Valley

Pass under minor road then A6127 and A1(T) roads to continue steeply uphill to just before the Bowes Railway at Black Fell, here the route turns left to use the trackbed of Pelaw Main Railway system.

Continue uphill crossing minor road and up a rough lane. At top bear left behind houses and then cross the railway track (part of Bowes Railway).

At this point you cross into Sunderland

Turn right passing the Springwell Quarry (R) to road - left then right into the Bowes Railway car park to join the cycle path that runs alongside the security fence to the Springwell Bank Top - joining the trackbed again and the descent down the Springwell Incline.

You re-enter Gateshead at the accommodation bridge part way down the Springwell Incline.

Links between Team Coliery Waggonway and Bowes Railway Path
There are several cross links - click the sign for more details, maps etc

Cross over Leam Lane and Lingley Lane where the route flattens out - pass under the A184 - over A195 and ahead to cross old railway bridge.

Ahead passing Wardley Country Park (L) to the district boundary with South Tyneside.

For Cock Crow Inn car park.
Continue ahead passing over the Metro Railway Bridge and under Mill Lane bridge - turn right up to join B1306 and sharp right again onto Mill Lane and 200m turn left into Cock Crow car park.

 
Link to Keelman's Way NCN 14 Click sign for map / guide notes
Return to Tanfield Railway Path - Marley Hill
Continue on Monkton Cycleway to NCN 14 at Jarrow
After passing under Mill Lane Bridge stay on the wide path and cross Monkton Lane - rejoin path - passing metal "rib" sculpture and ahead under another road bridge.
Turn left and follow road through Monkton Village to rejoin cycleway again.
Follow this wide path - cross Albert Raod - ahead on wide path and under Metro Bridge to join NCN 14 at Western Road - Jarrow.