Hadrian's Cycleway: Ravenglass to South Shields
Cumbria and Tyne and Wear, England
Hadrian's Cycleway, National Cycle Network Route 72, crosses northern England from the Cumbrian coast at Ravenglass to the mouth of the Tyne at South Shields. It follows the Solway Firth, passes Carlisle and Hexham, and stays close to the line of Hadrian's Wall, with forts, museums and river valleys along the way. The route mixes quiet lanes, traffic-free paths and short sections on busier roads.
- Location
- Cumbria and Tyne and Wear, England
- Length published by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
- 172.8 miles / 278.1 km
- National Cycle Network
- Route 72
- OSM track distance
- 259.9 km
Before you go
The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust describes the full route as 172.8 miles (278.1 km); most riders split it into three to five days, and the prevailing westerly wind favours riding west to east. The central section between Carlisle and Hexham has the most climbing. Rail stations at Ravenglass, Carlisle, Hexham, Newcastle and South Shields help with logistics, subject to each operator's bicycle rules. Check the route pages for diversions before setting off.
The route
The saved OpenStreetMap track measures about 260 km between Ravenglass and South Shields in 11 separate pieces, without artificial connections. Its cumulative length is shorter than the 278 km published by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust: the sections are shown as mapped, not as one verified continuous journey.
View this route in the catalogue
The OSM track has 11 separate sections, without artificial connections. Check the links with the route operator.
Places along the route
- Ravenglass
- Whitehaven
- Carlisle
- Brampton
- Hexham
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- South Shields
Sources and updates
- Walk Wheel Cycle Trust: Hadrian's Cycleway, Route 72
Information checked on .
Track extracted on . © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0.