Holiday Highlights
- The sense of achievement having ridden from coast to coast
- The well preserved forts of Birdoswald and Vindolanda
- The rugged beauty of the North Pennines
- The picturesque market town of Corbridge
- Following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire
- Flexibility to choose your own start date or one of our great value scheduled departure dates
We enjoyed the whole experience, the notes especially were very helpful as we have a tendency to get lost! The daily cycle route information provided was a lifesaver, and it was so nice to not have to worry about lugging all the bags along due to the luggage transfers provided.
Itinerary
Getting to Newcastle is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation, or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 500m
After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in Newcastle who will provide you with your hire bikes (if hiring), an Information Pack including route notes, maps and additional information for your trip. They will then transfer you to Bowness-on-Solway to begin your journey. Bowness-on-Solway is the beginning of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail, and sits on the stunning Solway Firth (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The views of Scotland from here are simply breathtaking. The area is also a haven for wildlife, so keep an eye out for wildfowl during this first part of the trip. Our first day’s riding is a gentle introduction to the trip with a flat ride by the banks of the Solway Firth before skirting Carlisle. This thriving regional city is well worth a visit if time allows; showcasing some of the area’s historic treasures in the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, and boasting Carlisle Castle; still welcoming visitors since Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobites. The route gently undulates towards Warwick Bridge and this section along the river is very picturesque – so cameras at the ready! You continue cycling on arriving at your accommodation in Brampton for the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 650m
Your cycling today starts with a short roller coaster of a ride that takes you past Lanercost, with its impressive priory and onto your first uphill section of the day towards Gilsland. Just before Birdoswald Roman Fort, there is a superb section of the wall, right next to your cycling route, which leads all the way to Birdoswald. Thirwall Castle (14th Century and built of Roman Stone) and the remains of the Roman river crossing at Willowford are also nearby and worth visiting if time permits. You will cross the Pennine watershed and gradually climb out of Greenhead before a welcome descent into the South Tyne valley down into Haltwhistle. If you‘re in need of a rest and recharge (and maybe a cake and cup of tea), there are plenty of tea shops here to take your pick from. At Bardon Mill you head back up the valley to the summit at Smith’s Shield, which will bring you to your accomodation at Twice Brewed.

- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 450m
After breakfast, you start your day with an exhilarating descent to Vindolanda; a Roman frontier military and civilian site, and a must for those in search of Roman history and culture. Dating back to just before the Wall was constructed, the 2,000 writing tablets (discovered just 30 years ago) form the earliest archive of written material in British history and are matched by similar tablets from the Eastern Frontier; it’s a sort of 360-degree view of empire life. A slight detour towards Housesteads provides outstanding views over Vindolanda and classic Hadrian’s Wall scenery. A cheeky climb takes you to Crindledykes, the highest point of the route (263 metres above sea level). You then pass through the market town of Hexham, towards the garrison town of Corbridge. With all the major climbs behind you, the route begins to follow the valley floor towards Prudhoe. Passing through the pretty villages of Ovingham and Wylam, passing Robert Stephenson’s Cottage and then crossing the River Tyne twice, you will cycle along an old wagon way towards Newburn following the banks of the Tyne.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 300m
You can take your time on your last day by taking in views of the famous bridges across the river, including the “blinking eye” Millennium Bridge which you will cycle past, with the imposing Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art dominating the skyline. The Cycle Hub is situated on your right just after this and the perfect place for a well earned cuppa and a slice of delicious homemade cake. It’s dedicated to the cyclist and also the home of Saddle Skedaddle so why not come and say hello? Not far to the end now as you head into the heart of the shipbuilding area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend – literally the “Wall’s end“, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum if you fancy a little more Roman history to end your Hadrian’s Wall experience. Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the North Shields Fish Quay, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and be able to sample some of the finest fish and chips in the North-East! You are now at the mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth. Time to celebrate your achievement, before we whisk you back to Newcastle.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
Hadrian’s Cycleway 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 majority of the route is paved, with a couple of short sections on hard-packed gravel. A hybrid bike is recommended, but a road bike fitted with touring tyres is also suitable when ridden with a little extra care.

Leisure Cycling Grade
Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays
Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes
Features some modest climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.
The holiday was outstanding, well worth the money! We enjoyed every day, each day was different and brought its own highlights.
Dates & Prices
Choose your own dates from £510.00 per person, just give us a call to check availability. Alternatively for a great value holiday choose one of our scheduled weekend departures below.
Whats Included 
A) Accommodation (shared twin rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Skedaddle App to access holiday information and navigation
D) Detailed Skedaddle route notes and relevant maps
E) GPX files available upon request
F) Luggage transfer service
G) Skedaddle Local Representative
H) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if hiring your bike from Skedaddle)
What's not Included 
A) Personal clothing and equipment
B) Travel insurance
C) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
D) Bike & helmet hire (available if required)
E) Travel or flight costs and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
F) Single room option (may be available if required)
G) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
H) Other optional activities
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Reviews
Kim, Essex, UKFantastic customer service from Skedaddle...We enjoyed the whole experience, the notes especially were very helpful as we have a tendency to get lost! The daily cycle route information provided was a lifesaver, and it was so nice to not have to worry about lugging all the bags along due to the luggage transfers provided.
You were all so patient with our pre trip questions and so helpful when we changed our pick up plans on the last day. Absolutely fantastic customer service from Saddle Skedaddle.
Mark, County DownOverall it was an excellent experience...We felt well supported throughout our cycling holiday. The service provided was both friendly and practical. All of our questions and concerns were answered and it was great to be able to drop into the Hub to meet those who had helped us.
Perrin, NottinghamshireThe holiday was outstanding, well worth the money...We enjoyed every day, each day was differant and brought its own highlights! We had excellent customer service from Peter who was our Skedaddle representative.
AnonymousGreat customer service...Thanks for a great holiday. All BnB’s were great and had secure storage for the bikes and the bag transfers were all completed without a hitch. The info and directions that Steve gave us for the ride along route 72 were spot on and what great customer service all you guys have supplied before and during our holiday. We totally have the bug for more!
Clyde, USAExcellentThis was a once in a lifetime adventure for my wife and I. This was for our 40th wedding anniversary. I am 69 and she is 64. This was a real luxury for us, but worth every penny.
Warren, WakefieldExcellent cyclingExcellent cycling – relatively gentle, plus fabulous scenery to enjoy!
Price, GloucestershireWell organised with good accommodation!Have previously done a self organised C2C – but this took the hassle out of the holiday and provded much better accommodation. Two of our party hired bikes and although I love my bike – the quality of the bikes were good enough for me to coinsider doing without the hassle of transporting my own long distance.
Janeene, AustraliaHoliday went like clockwork...A big thank you to everyone who made our holiday so terrific. It is a long way to come if things go wrong, but our holiday went like clockwork. Would certainly recommend this holiday to everyone. (A friend recommended it to us)!
Carol, LeicestershireGood...This was our first holiday with Skedaddle and we were not sure what to expect. We are both pensioners and were not sure of our cycling limitations. We need not have worried, if anything the first and last days were too easy and we could have completed it in 3 days cycling. Hadrian’s Wall route was well sign posted.