Distances
are in Miles - Height in Metres above Mean Sea Level
Height scale is exaggerated - i.e. the hills are not as steep as they
appear.
Maximum height is 256 metres above sea level.
Minimum height minus 0.5 metres at high tide!!
From Ravenglass this section undulates before gradually climbing from Beckermet to a summit at Moor Row, followed by a descent into Whitehaven.
A short stiff climb out of Parton, followed by a gradual climb to a summit at Distington.After descending to Workington, the route gently undulates along the coast and back roads to Silloth.
Leaving Silloth the route is almost flat throughout - except for a couple of bumps which are called hills in this part of Cumbria, until Burgh By Sands and Carlisle.
After Warwick Bridge the first climb is encountered, - with a roller coaster ride until Lanercost.
At Banks the first severe climb is encountered at 1:7 - then undulating again along Hadrian's Wall to Greenhead.Then the second severe climb out of Greenhead 1:5 & 1:7 to a summit before a welcome fast descent down to Haltwhistle.
The Pennine watershed is crossed between Gilsland and Greenhead but this is not the highest point of Hadrian's Cycleway.
After the descent into the South Tyne valley at Haltwhistle, the route undulates to Bardon Mill where climbs steadily up the north flank of the South Tyne valley to a summit at Smith's Shield before a thrilling descent to Vindolanda, which must be paid for by a very stiff climb up to the highest summit of Hadrian's Cycleway at Crindledykes - 256 metres above sea level.
Then a long undulating descent following the "Stanegate" to Newbrough, before a short stiff climb at Fourstones to enter the North Tyne valley and the descent to Hexham.
The major climbs are now left behind. A flat ride to Corbridge is followed by a moderate climb then descent back into the River Tyne valley floor again.
Now following the valley floor the route gently undulates with a very short but stiff climb into Ovingham.
After crossing the river there is a gradual descent - with a couple of humps - down the river into the Newcastle Quayside.The cycleway then follows a railway path which briefly falls & rises where bridges have been removed. At the Royal Quays there is a descent and climb followed by a steep descent onto the riverside.
After crossing the Tyne by ferry crossing there is a short 20m climb from the riverside cycleway up onto Lawe Top and the finish at Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum at South Shields
