Guide Notes
Panel 2
Haltwhistle to Silloth
64 miles - 5 miles off road.



The main route will be via Greenhead, Gilsland and Brampton, and Carlisle - except for a short sections between Greenhead and Gilsland, Brampton and the few miles through Carlisle the entire route is on-road.

WARNING

Cycling is NOT PERMITTED on parts of the riverside track.
The section between the steps and under the disused rail viaduct to the small footbridge is very narrow and part of the Hadrian's Wall Walking Trail.
see guide note mile 86.5

At a later date there will be braided NCN 72 between Haltwhistle and Brampton via Lambley Viaduct, offering a less hilly route but missing the best Roman remains.

A new off-road path is now in use down Greenhead Bank. Beware very steep 1:6 descent.
the off-road path between Greenhead and Longbyre is now in use. Nov. 2006
The final phase between Longbyre and Gilsland awaits approval.
Meanwhile the B6318 road will have to be used between Longbyre and Gilsland and has now been signed - if in doubt follow direction signs even if different to HCW map.

The climbs generally are not strenuous but beware there is a long climb out of Haltwhistle followed by steep descents into Greenhead and another one at Banks - the route then begins to flatten as it continues to Carlisle.

Several Roman sites on Hadrian's Wall are passed between Greenhead and Banks and it is directly alongside Hadrian's Wall between Birdoswald and Banks with several well preserved remains being visible.

After passing through Carlisle the cycle route follows the southern shore of the Solway Firth to Bowness on Solway and then around the coast line around to Silloth.

There is an almost complete absence of gradients after Carlisle with the lowest point of Hadrian's Cycleway on the Solway Firth between Dykesfield and Drumburgh, where it is almost at sea level.

Warning
Sections of the road along the Solway Firth can flood at very high tides
Click here for information on tide times & height.
(This links the Hadrian's Wall National Walking Trail web site)

From Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway, Hadrian's Cycleway follows the line of Hadrian's Wall but very few visible remains can now be seen.

These notes are to offer advice and highlight any problem areas along the route.
Click the highlighted place names for more information.
Highlighted Towns link to Visit Cumbria website.

Mile
Notes / Comments / Warnings
116.9

5-way road junction Take care to select the correct route
Turn right and pass The New Inn - PH (L) on Park Road to Greenhead.
(Signed HADRIAN'S CYCLEWAY Greenhead 3 / Gilsland 5 / Brampton 14)

Eventually there will be a braided route to Brampton via Halton-Lea-Gate but 2 miles longer.


Cycleway junction in Haltwhistle.
Junction of NCN 68 and NCN 72

116.0 Start of 1.5 mile - 60m climb to Military Road.
114.6

Military Road - cross over with care to join new off-road path to Greenhead.

114.3

Link to Carvoran Roman Army Museum and Walltown Crags.
Cross access road - ensure gates shut behind you - steep descent on off-road track to Greenhead Village.

113.7

At bottom of descent SLOW DOWN - chicane barriers at end of off-road path
Look both ways before joining road and cross bridge into Greenhead village centre.
Old Forge Tea Rooms and Pub in Greenhead Village.
Turn right - passing Old Forge Tea Rooms (L) and former YHA building (R) - cross bridge over Tipalt Burn and join new off-road track to Longbyre.
You cross over the line of Hadrian's Wall just after the second bridge.
Turn right at end of track for Thirlwall Castle which is close by.

113.1

At end of off-road track, turn left over level crossing - next right and right again to join B6318 road to Gilsland. Take care this road is narrow in places and can be busy at times.

111.6
Gilsland Enter Cumbria
110.0
to
107.0

Pass entrance to Birdoswald Roman Fort
The cycle route here runs alongside substantial remains of Hadrian's Wall

Click here to see a 360 deg. panoramic view from Banks Turret over the River Irthing valley and along Hadrian's Cycleway. (note:- this will take a while to download)

106.8 Steep descent 1:6
105.3 Lanercost Priory  and Lanercost Old Bridge.
102.5

Brampton
The signed route out of Brampton may differ from map - if in doubt follow signs.


Brampton Market Place and TIC

98.5

Short cut to Warwick Bridge via Toppin Castle.

95.5
94.7 Narrow hump back bridge controlled by traffic lights - Observe the lights as there is a blind summit and you will not spot any vehicles coming the other way until it is too late.
92.3

The Stag Inn at Low Crosby Bridge is recommended for a refresment and food stop.
88.7 Awkward "Kissing Gate" into Rickerby Park just before crossing the River Eden.
88.8 The section between the Memorial Bridge and Strand Road is CLOSED due to work improving the flood defences for Carlisle.
Follow diversion via St. Aidens Road and Victoria Place.
88.5 Carlisle
Follow signs - do NOT use the riverside path - Out of Bounds - Carlisle Golf Course
87.4
to
86.5

Pot holed surface through car park at Sheepmount.
The riverside path is grassy and can be muddy and slippery.


Passing under the West Coast Main line at
Carlisle along the bank of the River Eden.
86.5
to
85.7		 The section along the riverside through Carlisle is NOT signed.

The short 150m section from the footbridge - under the disused rail bridge and up the steps is part of the Hadrian's Wall National Walking Trail.


Cycling is not permitted and you MUST Dismount and WALK.
Please Give way to any walkers you encounter on this narrow section.

A new route bypassing this section is under development.

85.5 Two access control barriers to negotiate before joining road to Burgh By Sands.
83.6

Alternative route via King Edwards Monument and Beaumont as shown on map.


King Edward Ist monument, commemorates his death and is sited on the marshes just to the north of
Burgh-by-Sands at the place where he died, on his way to yet another battle against the Scottish.
He was also known as Edward Longshanks and the 'Hammer of the Scots.

80.5
to
78.0

The next 2 miles are subject to tidal flooding at high spring tides if a strong westerly wind is blowing into the Solway Firth - observe the warning signs.
Tide tables are posted at each end of this section.
Click here for information on tide times & height.
(This links the Hadrian's Wall National Walking Trail web site)
There is no alterative route if the road is under water - you will have to wait for the tide to drop !!


Road between Drumburgh and Dykesfield
77.1 Short cut to Whitrigg - useful if there is a strong westerly wind blowing up the Solway.
74.4

Bowness on Solway
End of Hadrian's Wall and National Walking Trail.
Short cuts as shown on map to Whitrigg Firth.
65.3 Road subject to occasional tidal flooding at high spring tides.
Sign at Whitrigg Bridge warning of tidal flooding.
62.5
59.0

Abbeytown Passing Hulm Cultram Abbey before joining B5302 for a short distance.
Take care joining busy road and at the right turn to Brownrigg.


St. Mary's Church and Abbey Remains in Abbey Town.
Sadly this was badly damaged by an arson attack in June 2006.

56.3

Cross B5302 with care

54.4 Take care joining B5302 - de-resticted speed limit.
53.2 Silloth
Pass Toursist Information Centre and along Criifel Street.
Beware cobble street surface when wet !!

Panel 1 - Silloth to Ravenglass