Guide Notes
Panel 3 - part 2
Ovingham to South Shields
with alternate finish at Tynemouth
25 miles - 22 miles off road.



Panel 3 has been split into two sections:-
Part 1 Haltwhistle to Ovingham
Part 2 Ovingham to South Shields

Continuing from the car park at the Tyne Riverside Country Park Visitors Centre at Ovingham Bridge, this section passes through a rural landscape along the south bank of the River Tyne to Hagg Bank where it crosses back over to the north bank before passing through Wylam on the Wylam Waggonway.

After Newburn Bridge the route enters the urban areas of Tyneside - following a mainly off-road route for the remainder of the way to the Shields Ferry Landing stage at North Shields.

Here Hadrian's Cycleway crosses the River Tyne via the Shields Ferry to the Heritage finish at Arbeia Roman Fort at South Shields. There is also an alternative finish at Tynemouth.

Hadrian's Cycleway follows a mixture of riverside promenades, railway paths, purpose built cycle tracks and shared use paths. There are a few short on-road sections, some of which will be eliminated when new roads and promenades are built.

This section is reasonable flat with some easy short gradients. The last section is on-road to the Shields Ferry landing and North shields Fish Quay. A new route when built will eliminate the on-road section through industrial estate.

The Wylam Waggonway has now been resurfaced and is much improved.

The remainder of the route generally has a good surface of smooth tarmac, bitmac or paving.

These notes are to offer advice and highlight any problem areas along the route.
Click the highlighted place names for more information.

Comprehensive guide notes with sketch maps
Ovingham Bridge to South Shields and Tynemouth

Mile
Notes / Comments / Warnings
150.4 Leave carpark and join the riverside track and pass under both Ovingham Bridges.
151.8 Short narrow section with rough surface and two cattle grids to cross.
152.3

Hagg Bank - loose gravel surface for 20m. and steep descent to Hagg Bank Bridge


Loose gravel surface at Hagg Bank
152.4

Wylam Waggonway

153.5

Stephenson's Cottage NT

155.0

You are now in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
The route is now shared with the Hadrian's Wall National Walking Trail through Newcastle.
Where the two coincide routes it is know as HADRIAN'S WAY and signed with BROWN signs.
Where the cycle route is separate it is know as HADRIAN'S CYCLEWAY and signed with BLUE signs. See signage for fuller details.
Many Millennium Mileposts can be found in the next few miles.
155.1 Choice of Route:- signed route turns right for riverside path or continue straight ahead along Blayney Row to the Keelman PH. Good food, real ale and cyclists are welcomed !!
155.9

Newburn - Tyne Riverside Country Park Visitors Centre and Toilets.
156.3 Newburn Bridge - at traffic lights check both ways before crossing road.
156.6

Follow Main signed route via Riverside trail (blue sign) -
Note: The route via Lemington is no longer part of the National Cycle Network


New Millennium Signpost at cycleway junction

158.6 Lemmington Bridge - cross bridge and keep right, down ramp to join riverside promenade.
DO NOT TURN LEFT over the Toucan Crossing - you will go round in circles if you do !
159.2 Cross Scotswood Road using the staggered Toucan Crossings.
159.6

5 -way junction - take care to follow the correct path.

160.4 Cross over to the otherside of Scotswood Road at the traffic lights and follow shared use path to next set of traffic lights and turn right down to the riverside promenade.
The path is very narrow where you pass the second set of traffic lights.
161.0 Fishermen can block the promenade here at times on the section fronting the car park.
161.2

Follow the riverside promenade down river - watch out for low black bollards across the pathway.
Pass under several high level bridges - see section on Tyne Crossings
Link to / from Newcastle Central - Railway Station

162.0
to
164.0

At end of riverside promenade pass under the low stone arch at the Swing Bridge.
Follow the Quayside passing under the Tyne Bridge and onto the Millennium Bridge.
This section of promenade can be very busy with pedestrians.
Do NOT use the bi-directional bus only lane.

164.5

After passing the White Spillers Flour Mill bear left uphill between factories - at X-roads signed route is ahead but if you want to avoid an awkward access control barrier - turn left 50m up to Toucan Crossing then right onto off-road path that joins HCW 150m at the tall 3-way sign post.


Byker Link Millennium Finger Signpost
166.3 Cross Pottery Bank, through stone barrier and up slight hill passing gas holder (L) and follow wide path ahead over several roads.
167.6

Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum - remains of Hadrian's Wall both sides of cycleway.


Remains of Hadrian's Wall with Replica Bath House in background

167.5 Take care not to run into the square wooden anti-vehicle bollards on this section.
169.0 Follow the blue direction signs through Willington Quay (route subject to change).
169.6

Use Toucan Crossing over busy Howdon Lane, note this lights are not yet switched on!!
170.3 Busy Dual Carriageway - cross with care using the central refuge.
Watch out for fast traffic.
171.0 Link to North Sea International Ferry Terminal
171.0
to
172.5		 Route line on HCW map is vague - take care to look for direction signs.
Note:- the route has been changed here - follow direction signs.
Passes through an industrial area and housing.
172.5 Cross River Tyne on the Shields Ferry - fare £1.10 single Bikes go free.
Ferries are 00mins and 30mins past the hour and trip takes about 7 mins.
173.0

Leave ferry - turn left and follow signs leading along riverside promenade and through new housing.
Now signed as Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72 to Arbeia.

173.8 Sharp right hand turn uphill to junction - very sharp left and along bank top to Arbeia.
174.3

THE FINISH AT ARBEIA


Replica Roman Gate House at Arbeia - South Shields

173.0

Alternative Tynemouth finish
Follow link shown on HCW map along to and through North Shields Fish Quay.
Then join riverside promenade to the finish at Spanish Battery - Tynemouth

 


Signs at the Tynemouth alternate Finish

Return to Ravenglass