NCN 1 between Sunderland and South Shields
is also called and signed as "The Two Rivers Cycleway"

The existing cycle directions signs along here are very faded and hard to read.

From the Millennium Milepost on the North Pier - head north along the promenade - passing the Sunderland Yacht Club (L) and car parks (L).

When opposite the RNLI Inshore Rescue Boat House, bear left and join the traffic calmed road.

Before the roundabout bear left uphill onto segregated cycle path - in 20m very sharp hairpin left turn steeply uphill.

If you feel up to it continue straight ahead up a very steep rough cobbled path to the upper promenade.

At top sharp right hairpin turn on to the upper Roker Promenade and ahead to cross Roker Bridge - over slight hill then down passing old South Pier Lighthouse (R) on the cliff edge.

This lighthouse was originally located at the end of the New South Pier at the entrance to the River Wear
it was moved here in 1990 after the pier was shortened and the light became redundant.

Pass two roundabouts (L) and Millennium Milepost (R) - staying on segragated cycleway until you come to the Jet Petrol station, bear right and follow road around to left.

At the small Tea Kiosk (Cafe) / car park - bear right through wooden barrier to join the cliff top path - continue on this passing Millennium Milepost (R) until a tee junction with small low wooden cycle signs, turn left towards housing and a row of garages.

Through metal control barrier - turn right, follow road around and then straight ahead up slight incline.

At 2nd X-rds turn right, then left to the A183 road with cemetery ahead.

Note footpath on east side of A183 is very narrow between T-jcn and Firing Range.

Turn right onto road and after 50m cross back over to east side to join segregated cycle path passing the Whitburn Army Firing Ranges (R) and Whitburn Windmill (L) - then on green segregated cycle path (SCP) to pass the "Whitburn Lodge" PH (R).

Then a short narrow section of shared use path (SUP) before rejoining SCP at the Red and White Millennium Milepost.

Note the Milepost colours mimic the nearby Souter Lighthouse NOT Sunderland Football Club.

Staying on SCP - pass Souter Lighthouse (R) - Marsden Limekilns (L) - car park at "Marsden Grotto" PH (R)

"Marsden Grotto" PH is built into caves at the base of the cliff
and is accessible by lift or for the more adventurous - by more than 150 steps.

Continue on SCP along alongside the Coast Road (L) and the "Leas" (R) (cliff top grassland) - passing "Bamburgh" PH (L) to end of SCP at the access road to beach car parks.

Cross road and continue on SUP downhill to large roundabout - "New Crown" PH (L) - follow signs and cross road to enter the Bents Recreation Ground - locally known as the Dragon.

Passing football pitches (R) head towards the tall hedge on far side - (around the Sandhaven caravan / camping park).

Bear left and leave the recreation ground at the yellow gate - turn right and immediatly left into Sea Road, uphill passing electricity sub station to staggered cross roads.

Straight over and join wide off road segregated cycle path - downhill passing Westoe Cemetry (L) and Millennium Milepost (R) to cross Westoe Road at refuge.

Note - the cycle route in this area will be subject to change as the
new housing is developed which will eliminate the on road section.

Contiune on cycleway - passing under a large concrete viaduct (Metro Railway) - through underpass (look for the Elephant and Panda) and follow path between store (L) and Industrial Estate (R).

The large square tall brick building is all that remains of St. Hilda's Colliery that closed in 1940 which was kept as an emergency access to the now closed (1990) Westoe Crown pit - now being built over by new housing.

Cross road and down zig zag ramp - through barrier passing car park (R) - then left - right - left in succession to join on-road cycle lane up to roundabout and a choice of route.

This section will be subject to changes "when" a new shopping complex is built in this area

Take care the roads in this area can be very busy.

Choice of Route

Shields Ferry
At roundabout take 4th exit for NCN 1 to Shields Ferry - SO over next Rbt and left at "Alum House" PH down to promenade - left and right down link span onto the Shields Ferry Landing Stage

Cross river link to Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72 and NCN 1 via Shields Ferry (links to Hadrian's Cycleway website which will open in a new window) Cross the river using the Shields Ferry- fare £1.00 bikes free.
Up river to Newcastle	Down river to Tynemouth

Up river to Gateshead via Jarrow

At roundabout take 2nd exit for NCN 14 to Tyne Cycle Tunnel or Gateshead.

Link to Arbeia Roman Fort via Riverside Cycleway

Back to Sunderland

Places of Interest
between South Shields and Roker

Doug on the Tyne 2004