Holiday Highlights
- The sense of achievement having ridden not one but two long distance cycle routes!
- Following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire along Hadrian’s Wall
- Castles galore!
- Miles of pristine dunes, sandy beaches and stunning vistas
- Your first glimpse of Edinburgh as you cycle over the Moorfoot hills
- Flexibility to choose your own start date
This truly was the best holiday we have ever had. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. You have been our Angels from the North!
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 at no additional cost, 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: 560 Metres Approx.
After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in Newcastle, and they’ll provide you with your rental bikes (if renting) and your map and chat you through how to use the navigation app.
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 the village sits on the stunning Solway Firth Natural Landscape. The views of Scotland from here are simply breathtaking. The area is also a haven for wildlife.
Your 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. From here you will make your way towards Warwick Bridge; this section along the river is very picturesque – so cameras at the ready! A short roller coaster of a ride then takes you past Lanercost, with its impressive Augustinian priory which was a key target for Scots in retaliation to English raids, and then onto your first real uphill section of the day towards Gilsland. Just before Birdoswald Roman Fort, there is a superb section of Hadrian’s Wall, right next to the cycling route.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 555 Metres Approx.
Today 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 South Tyne Valley to a summit at Smith’s Shield before an exhilarating descent to Vindolanda; a Roman frontier military and civilian site, and a must for those in search of Roman history and culture. A cheeky climb takes you to Crindledykes, the highest point of the route at 263 metres above sea level. You then drop towards Fourstones before passing through the market town of Hexham and towards the garrison town of Corbridge.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 360 Metres Approx.
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 George Stephenson’s Cottage, and then crossing the River Tyne twice, you will cycle along an old wagonway towards Newcastle following the banks of the Tyne. You will take in views of the famous bridges across the river, including the “blinking eye” Millennium Bridge, with the imposing Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art dominating the skyline. The Cycle Hub is situated 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 – if you catch us during office hours, why not come and say hello?
Not far to go 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 of cycling from the West coast to the East coast along Hadrian’s Cycleway!
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 295 Metres Approx.
Founded at the beginning of the 7th Century and having one of the most beautiful views of the coast, Tynemouth Priory and Castle was once one of the biggest fortresses and religious sites in England. You continue cycling along the seafront, past the Victorian resort of Whitley Bay and on to the sea port of Blyth. You’ll soon leave the urban surroundings behind and pass into much more open countryside and quiet country lanes. Don’t miss the stunning Druridge Bay with its seven mile sandy beach, nature reserve and some of Northumberland’s biggest sand dunes. You finish today in Warkworth famous for its impressive 12th century castle and almost complete keep built over 600 years ago by the first Earl of Northumberland.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 295 Metres Approx.
Your first stop this morning is the pretty village of Alnmouth. After stopping for a quick cup of tea your route takes you towards the attractive coastal village of Craster and the impressive medieval castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh. At Bamburgh, as well as the castle in its dramatic setting on a rock outcrop, there is the Grace Darling museum, a famous heroine of the lifeboats.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 335 Metres Approx.
Just up the coast from Bamburgh you come to Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, a key site in early Christianity and the place where the Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the 8th century. If the tide and time allows, it’s worth the extra 7 mile round trip to visit the island by crossing the tidal causeway. From Holy Island, it’s on to the Elizabethan border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, with its complex defences built up over the years of border wars, and your accommodation for the night.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 375 Metres Approx.
From Berwick-upon-Tweed, it’s inland, along the Tweed valley to Kelso. On the way you’ll cross the border into Scotland, then back into England over the famous Union Suspension Bridge that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe in Northumberland and Fishwick in the Scottish Borders. At the Chainbridge Honey Farm, you can get a cup of tea and feast yourselves on yummy cakes and enjoy them on a vintage double decker bus! As the name implies, you can buy lots of honey there too. A few miles on you cross back into Scotland at Norham Castle, and on to Kelso, with the impressive Floors Castle and your first night spent over the border!
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 635 Metres Approx.
This morning you head to Melrose, famed for its impressive Gothic-style abbey, which is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart! Leaving Melrose, you continue along the increasingly deep Tweed Valley, surrounded by forested hills and following the course of this famous salmon river to Innerleithen, home to Traquair House, reputedly the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 595 Metres Approx.
Heading north out of Innerleithen the route climbs up an over the Moorfoot Hills, with views of Edinburgh in the distance. Dropping down from the hills and heading through Dalkeith and Musselburgh you make your way into Edinburgh through the Innocent Tunnel and past Arthur’s Seat to the finish point. Here you will be met here by our representative for the journey back to Newcastle. The finish point has been chosen for its close proximity to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, should you be departing by train.
Show ProfileUnderstanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
Most of the route follows quiet country lanes, cycle tracks, and some bridleways. The route mostly consists of a mix of tarmac and some compact gravel surfaces, meaning the ride can be completed on almost any type of bike. There are also a few off-road sections, with paths across grassy fields or farm tracks, including short steep sections, narrow bridges with gates and steps, where you will need to dismount, and a section along a muddy clifftop track, which is unsuitable for road bikes. However, there are tarmac alternatives to the standard route for these off-road sections if preferred.
It is possible to use an e-bike on this holiday. Although there are no significant climbs or long passes on the route, an e-bike could be beneficial to get you up some of the short, steep climbs if you are after a bit of a boost. Similarly, if you are wanting to spend more time exploring the towns and villages along the way, then an e-bike is a great idea to cover the miles a little quicker. Please note, e-bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes, so this is worth considering when handling the bike over any rough / uneven terrain.
For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here.
Hadrian’s Cycleway & Coast and Castles uses a part of the National Cycle Network, a route from the charity, Sustrans, who are working to make it easier for everyone to cycle in the UK. Skedaddle will donate to Sustrans for every mile that you and others ride on this route with us. If you fancy donating more to Sustrans, you can choose to make your own donation for the development of the National Cycle Network when you make a booking with us.
Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs and 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?
Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Daily departures available from April to the end of September. Choose your own dates from:
2025 £1675 per person
You either can make a booking online or over the phone. Once we have your details, we’ll be able to check availability.
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £300 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin/ double rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Access to an app for holiday information and navigation
D) A printed map
E) Luggage transfer service
F) Local Skedaddle representative
G) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if renting your bike from Skedaddle)
H) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)
B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Meals not stated in the itinerary
D) Single room (available if required)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
I) Other optional activities
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Reviews
Annette & Robert, Kent, UKThe best holiday we've ever had, thank you all from our hearts...An absolutely superb service from Alison and the whole Skedaddle Team. The attention to detail, customer care and all-round support could not be bettered. Nothing was too much trouble. Every single part of the services we received was impeccable.
The holiday was absolutely perfect! Bob is now 74 and I am 70, and to be able to enjoy such a stimulating and exciting tour as this one was a joy and will be an abiding memory for us. We felt like intrepid explorers (!!) but had the knowledge of the Skeddadle safety net behind us all the way. It was truly marvelous. It was the best cycle holiday of our lives, – (and we have done a fair bit of cycling in the past.) All the days were terrific, but the favourite day was from Innerleithen to Edinburgh cycling over the Moorfoot Hills. The Coastal Route from Newcastle to Berwick on Tweed was sensational also.
This truly was the best holiday we have ever had. Thank you all from our hearts. You have been our Angels from the North!
Bob, CanadaCan't say enough good things...We were very happy with the service we received. All the hotels/ B and B’s were top quality, and all unique in their own way. Can’t say enough good things about all the staff and providers. Our driver Paul is absolutely Brilliant…as is Ben, and the staff at the hub. We are leaving Great Britain Happy, and worn out!! Hope to be on another Skedaddle holiday soon.
Denise, CanadaVery GoodThe routes were excellent and well thought out on scenic quiet roads. Accommodations and food very good / excellent. We were always well received and baggage transfers worked well. We stopped in the Saddle HQ in Newcastle – what a wonderful team! Thank you for the buffs and jerseys, we will wear them proudly and spread the word in Canada about how great you are.
Vicki, LeicesterAll of the accommodation was super...All of the accommodation was super with great breakfast and friendly staff! Our representative was a delight. Funny helpful entertaining and very accommodating.