Guide Notes
Panel 3 - part 2
Ovingham to Haltwhistle
32 miles - 1 mile off road
Panel 3 has been split into two sections:-
Part 1 South Shields to Ovingham
Part 2 Ovingham to HaltwhistleThis section is mainly on-road using minor roads with a few short busy sections, there is a short off road section at Hexham and Vindolanda.
After crossing the river at Ovingham the route is flat until Slyford Bridge where it climbs up and then back down to Corbridge before following the flood plain to Hexham. Here it crosses the river again for a short while before crossing to the River South Tyne again at Bridge End.
From this point the route steadily climbs 195m on the Stanegate to the highest point on the entire Hadrian's Cycleway at Crindledykes at 262 mtrs above Sea Level, before a steep descent to Vindolanda.
Then a further steady climb up to Smith's Shield again following the Stanegate where NCN 68 Pennine Cycleway joins until Haltwhistle. From Smith's Shield there is a long descent back into the valley floor of the River South Tyne with an easy ride to Haltwhistle.
There is an alternative route via Thorngrafton Common with a steep descent direct to Bardon Mill which eliminates one climb but bypasses Vindolanda.
Several important Roman sites are passed close by, on this section and Hadrian's Wall is just a short ride north from Smith's Shield on NCN 68.
The signing is generally good but there are a few gaps at hexham, with blue NCN 72 or Hadrian's Cycleway 72 being used.
These notes are to offer advice and highlight any problem areas along the route.
Click the highlighted place names for more information.
| Mile | Notes / Comments / Warnings |
| 150.2 | On north bank of river - beware stationary cars waiting to cross bridge blocking the road junction. |
| 149.2 | Narrow road with passing places - can be busy in summer - parked cars !! |
| 146.4 | 1.5 mile uphill climb on narrow road with sharp bends - uneven in places. |
| 144.8 | Fast descent to Corbridge - busy road and narrow in places. |
| 143.0 | Straight ahead on the narrow One Way Middle Street - busy shoping area. Corbridge and River Crossings |
| 142.2 | Entrance to Corbridge Roman Site - |
| 140.0 | Road can be busy with industrial traffic here. |
| 139.3 | Hexham Country Bridge
|
| 139.0 | Tyne Green Riverside park - Tea Rooms and Toilets |
| 138.7 & 138.3 |
Gated railway level crossing - check both ways before crossing - trains travel quite fast here. If in a large group cross over in small groups Alternate unofficial route via rough riverside paths through Tyne Green Country Park. |
| 136.8 | Follow signed route - direct route to Fourstones not advisable - narrow road without verges. |
| 134.6 | Link to Chesters Roman Fort |
| 132.0 | Start of 5.5 mile 195m climb along the "Stanegate" to the highest point of Hadrian's Cycleway |
| 126.7 | Short cut to Bardon Mill - very steep downhill narrow road - by-passes Vindolanda |
| 126.5 | Crinkeldykes - Highest point of Hadrian's Cycleway - 262m above sea level. |
| 126.4 | Link to Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum - passing Crinkeldykes Lime Kiln. |
| 125.8 | Very steep downhill to Chesterholm. (Vindolanda) |
| 125.5 | Uphill on "Stanegate" passing entrance to Vindolanda
|
| 124.5 | Smith's Shield - HCW joins Pennine Cycleway, directions signs from here to Haltwhistle show both NCN 68 and NCN 72.
|
| 124.0 | Easy to miss: At T-jcn turn left and follow signed route to Bardon Mill to pass UNDER the A69(T) road. It is not advisable to attempt to cross directly over the very busy A69(T) road. |
| 122.0 | Pass under A69(T) road to T-jcn and turn right though Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle. |
| 121.1 | Tow House - bear left at junction to Haltwhistle - (NOT jcn with A69(T) road) |
| 117.7 | Follow westbound route into centre of Haltwhistle. See insert panel on map - this avoids the steep Castle Hill. |
| 117.2 |
Haltwhistle - Centre of Britain |
Panel 2 - Haltwhistle to Silloth
