Hadrian’s Cycleway ,  is a 174 mile long distance cycle route developed by Sustrans in partnership with Cumbria and Northumberland County Councils

Within a short span, England encompasses a variety of worlds – the modernity of London, the medieval spires of Salisbury, the Neolithic Stonehenge, the craggy coast of Cornwall and the dales of Yorkshire. Whatever the geography – highlands, flat plains ir lowlands – the epic beauty of  the English countryside is indisputable, with picture perfect pastoral villages,  fairy-tale cottages, nippy air, undulating hills, meadows with wild flowers and the odd castle and pub at every turn. The most gratifying way to traverse England’s countryside is to bicycle through Hadrain’s Cycleway.

Hadrian’s Cycleway, National Cycle Network Route 72, opened July 2006.

We have listed few good Tour guides from amazon.com, which you should carry before you plan your Cycle Tour.

The Hadrain’s Cycleway route stretches the length of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site in the North of England. Magnificent coastal views, breathtaking countryside, roman forts and museums, inspiring modern attractions, quaint villages and attractive market towns, all set in a World Heritage Site: this Hadrain’s cycleway route has it all! You will ride through some of England’s most dramatic and wild countryside where you can “get away from it all” and enjoy the freedom of cycling in this unspoilt area.

Hadrian Cycleway - Route Map

Hadrian’s Cycleway, signed as National Route 72, can be cycled in either direction, though it is normally cycled west to east. It runs mainly on country lanes and quiet roads, interspersed with sections of traffic-free path, promenade and riverside path. The coastal sections at either end of the route are relatively flat, but there are a few steep, short hills in the central section.

The 256 kilometres cycling route stretches the length of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site linking Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast to Tynemouth near Newcastle.  The majority of the route is now open and signed.  Most of it follows well-surfaced gravel cycle paths, tarmac cycle paths and quiet minor roads.  There are no difficult off-road sections, but there are a few steep, short hills in the central section

The National Cycle Network of Hadrain’s Cycleway  is a comprehensive network of safe and attractive routes to cycle throughout the UK.

Hadrain’s Cycleway  passes through some of the most beautiful parts of England – from rolling fields and rugged moorland to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle.   The route is Suitable for all

The Hadrain’s Cycleway trail, with links to over 80 short walks, is suitable for people of all ages with opportunities for less abled access to many stretches of the Wall.  It is ideal for day visits, short breaks or a week-long holiday.

Travel duration of Hadrian’s Cycleway – South England

This route should easily be accomplished in three days and for the super fit in two. For those that want to stop and visit the Roman sites 4,5 or 6 days should be allowed. Our suggestion is plan a 8 to 10 Day cycling Holiday and enjoy the beautiful parts of England.

Those cyclist’s who are planning to camp along the route should bear in mind that the extra weight of the camping gear will slow you down considerably and this should be taken into account when planning your ride times.

Route of Hadrain’s Cycleway

The Hadrain’s Cycleway goes thru the towns and villages of Ravenglass, Whitehaven,  Workington,  Maryport,  Silloth,  Bowness, Carlisle,  Brampton, Haltwistle, Hexham, NewCastle,  Tynemouth.

 Ravenglass  – Hadrain’s Cycleway

Ravenglass is situated on the tranquil west coast of Cumbria. The Romans built a fort here to help protect Hadrian’s Wall to the north. Therefore, Ravenglass is the beginning of the Roman Western Frontier. The walls of the Bath House still stand today and can be reached on foot by following the signs from the village car park.

Ravenglass - Hadrain's cycleway

Many years ago before the rivers began to silt up this was an important port with vessels trading from across the world. Ravenglass, along with its craftsmen, dealers, farmers and fishermen all prospered. Nowadays the village is better known for being close to Muncaster Castle and the home of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

The ancient village nestles along the estuaries of three rivers, the Esk, Mite, and Irt, on the edge of the Irish Sea with the Lakeland fells rising majestically behind. Ravenglass is the only coastal village within the Lake District National Park and the majority of the village is classified as a conservation area. It is close to the stunning valleys of Eskdale and Wasdale. England’s highest mountain, deepest lake, smallest church and Britain’s favourite view are just a short drive away.

Silloth - Hadrain’s Cycleway

Silloth sometimes known as Silloth-on-Solway, is a port town and civil parish in Cumbria, England. It sits on the shoreline of the Solway Firth, 22 miles west of Carlisle.
Historically a part of Cumberland, the town is a small holiday resort, developed in the 1860s around the terminus of a railway from Carlisle which had begun construction in 1855. Tourism is a major economic player in Silloth, with dozens of large and small static and touring caravan parks located within a ten mile (16 km) radius of the town centre. This is responsible for the tremendous growth in the population on most days throughout the summer months.

Silloth along the coast

The Solway Music Festival (Solfest) is Cumbria’s biggest four day live music festival with a maximum attendance in 2008. Situated just outside the town, Solfest has been running since 2004 and now regularly attracts crowds of over 10,000 every August bank holiday weekend, with its eclectic mix of music, site art and cabaret performers.

Tynemouth - Hadrain’s Cycleway

Tynemouth is a town and a historic borough in Tyne and Wear, England, at the mouth of the River Tyne, between North Shields and Cullercoats.
In the late 18th century, sea-bathing became fashionable in Tynemouth. King Edward’s Bay and Tynemouth Longsands are very popular with locals and tourists alike. Tynemouth is also a surfing championship venue.

Tynemouth - Hadrain's Cycleway

This massive stone breakwater extends from the foot of the Priory some 1000 yards (metres) out to sea, protecting the northern flank of the mouth of the Tyne. It has a broad walkway on top, popular with Sunday strollers.

Brampton – Hadrain’s Cycleway

Brampton is a small market town and civil parish within the City of Carlisle district of Cumbria, England about 9 miles east of Carlisle and 2 miles south of Hadrian’s Wall. It is situated off the A69 road which bypasses it. Brampton railway station, about a mile outside the town itself, is located on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.

Hadrain Statue -Brampton - Hadrain's Cycleway

St Martin’s Church is famous as the only church designed by the Pre-Raphaelite architect Philip Webb, and contains one of the most exquisite sets of stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and executed in the William Morris studio.

Useful Kits During travel

We have listed few useful kits which you should carry as during the travel. Also if you are not used to do cycling it may be a good idea do some exercise few weeks before the planned tour to loosen up your muscles.

Officlial Web site of Hadrain’s Cycleway

Following is the official web site of  Hadrain’s Cycleway

http://www.cycle-routes.org/HADRIANSCYCLEWAY/

Accomadation – Hadrain’s Cycleway

For accomadations in the route of Hadrain’s Cycleway refer to the following url

http://www.cycle-routes.org/HADRIANSCYCLEWAY/services/accomodation-new.html

Bike Shops – Hadrain’s Cycleway

As you plan your travel you must have details of bike shops  where you can buy or Hire bikes for your cycle tour. Following like has the list of bike shops.

http://www.cycle-routes.org/HADRIANSCYCLEWAY/general/bike_shops.html

Have a Great Time Cycling thru the Hadrain’s Cycleway.