With its excellent road, rail and air connections getting to Newcastle is easy. From Newcastle we transfer by minibus to our first night’s accommodation in Silloth. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle in Newcastle for the duration of the trip at no additional cost.

We aim to leave Newcastle by no later than 4pm today, for the transfer to Silloth on the Cumbrian coast where we will spend the night. There will be an opportunity to meet the rest of your group over a meal and a drink, and the Tour Leader will have a chat with everyone about what to expect for the next few days.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 365 Metres Approx.

No need to check out of our hotel this morning as we’ll be riding back to Silloth today. After breakfast we’ll set off by minibus to one of the most popular destinations on the Cumbrian coast, the historic village of St Bees, which is the starting point for another coast to coast journey, the famous Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk. Naturally it’s uphill as we leave the coast behind, though we’ll be back to enjoy views of the Irish sea in no time. The few climbs today are over quickly, and the majority of the ride is fairly flat, coastal riding, taking in the old fishing harbours of Whitehaven and Maryport, salt pans, and a roman fortlet, before finishing our first ride back into the old holiday resort of Silloth with its wide cobbled streets and seaside promenade.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 440 Metres Approx.

Today’s distance is balanced out by its gentle gradient, with only a few cheeky climbs to deal with in the last few miles. After a hearty breakfast, we start out following the official Hadrian’s Cycle route around the flat peninsula of the Solway Coast Natural Landscape on the southern side of the Solway Firth, offering breathtaking views of Scotland. The area is also a haven for wildlife, so keep an eye out for rare wildfowl during this first part of the trip.

From Bowness-on-Solway the riding is gentle with a flat ride by the banks of the 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. From here the route gently undulates towards Warwick Bridge and this section along the river is very picturesque – so cameras at the ready! A few climbs lie ahead to finish the day, a taste of things to come as we enter rolling countryside of the North Pennines. We’ll overnight in the market town of Brampton, looking forward to visiting some of the most popular Roman sites in the days ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 510 Metres Approx.

Today’s ride takes us first to Lanercost, with its impressive priory. We then continue on to a nice uphill section towards Banks with its superb viewpoint before heading downhill to 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 stone plundered from the wall) and the remains of the Roman river crossing at Willowford are also nearby and worth a viewing if time permits.

We continue on, crossing the Pennine watershed and climbing steeply out of Greenhead before a welcome descent through the South Tyne Valley into Haltwhistle. At Bardon Mill we head back up the South Tyne Valley to a summit at Smith’s Shield, before a brief dip and rising a bit further to our overnight stop at Twice Brewed, passing The Sill (National Landscape Discovery Centre) on the way. Twice Brewed is a great base for some exploration with a fantastic local brewery, and accessible walks to the wall and Sycamore Gap (though sadly now without its iconic tree).

For those with a bit more in their legs (or a shuttle in the van), Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium) and nearby Visitors Centre are fascinating popular sites run by English Heritage offering panoramic views and insights into the lives of Roman soldiers garrisoned here.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 280 Metres Approx.

After breakfast, we start the day with a nice 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. We have purposefully planned in time today to explore fascinating history and see the artifacts, ruins and natural scenery without feeling rushed.

After Vindolanda, a cheeky climb takes you to Crindledykes, the highest point of the route (263 metres above sea level). You’ll then pass through the market town of Hexham, towards the garrison town of Corbridge and your accommodation for the evening. There is plenty to see in Corbridge, with quaint shops and tearooms alongside its Roman history.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 335 Metres Approx.

With all the major climbs behind us we begin to follow the valley floor towards Prudhoe. We cycle through the pretty villages of Ovingham and Wylam, passing George Stephenson’s Cottage, and then crossing the River Tyne twice, and along an old wagonway towards Newcastle following the banks of the Tyne. We pass through Newcastle taking in views of the famous bridges including the “blinking eye” Millennium Bridge, with the imposing Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts dominating the skyline. Not far to go now as we head into the heart of the ship building area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend – literally the Wall’s end, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum here – 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. You are now at the very mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth. Time to celebrate your achievement before the Skedaddle support vehicle whisks you back to Newcastle.