Reivers and Hadrian’s Wall: the Workington–North Shields Extended Variant: bicycle in United Kingdom
TrailTrack route Bicycle United Kingdom Multi-day
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Reivers and Hadrian’s Wall: the Workington–North Shields Extended Variant

Distance
423.6 km
Estimated moving time
1 d 19 h
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

This extended Reivers option connects western Cumbria, the woodland side of Northumberland and urban streets near the Tyne. Rural roads give way to Newcastle’s Chinese Arch before the journey meets one of England’s most distinctive historic landscapes: Hadrian’s Wall. Turret foundations remain on exposed crags, gateways occupy the hollows, and Cawfields reveals the layout of a small Roman fortified enclosure. The start and finish lie near the Longlands–Green Head road in the northern fells, but do not meet at the same point. This large option needs revision before a cycling tour: walking-only paths follow the Wall, and some urban road sections run against permitted traffic directions. The complete original cannot be recommended for riding. Plan the historic sections as separate walks linked by newly chosen permitted roads.

Route status

Проверяем свежесть данных по треку и учитываем сообщения сообщества

Запретов на посещение и пожаров рядом нет

Проверяем спутниковые данные о пожарах и предупреждения по региону.

Следить за маршрутом
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 13.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

Recent completions

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Asphalt 23% · Dirt / grass 8% · Gravel 5% · Unknown 60%

Surface data covers 169.4 km of 423.6 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Asphalt 23% · 98.9 km
Dirt / grass 8% · 36.0 km
Gravel 5% · 19.4 km
Compacted dirt 1% · 4.96 km
Artificial surface 1% · 3.05 km
Dirt 1% · 2.90 km
Paving stones 1% · 2.11 km
Concrete 1% · 2.11 km
Unknown 60% · 254.2 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Explore northern England through contrasting layers of history: Aesica’s Roman earthworks, the low stone remains at Sewingshields and Newcastle’s contemporary Chinatown. Sycamore Gap also recalls how vulnerable familiar landscapes can be: protected regrowth now occupies the site of the famous mature tree. Once the road connections are revised, these places offer meaningful stops worth dismounting and spending time at.
Length
423.6 km
Elevation gain
4794 m
Surface
Asphalt 23%
Reivers and Hadrian’s Wall: the Workington–North Shields Extended Variant: route photo 7 in United Kingdom

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car: Hard With children: No With a dog: No data By bike: No With a stroller: No Mobile signal: No data

Nearby

Housesteads fort interiors and exhibitions have separate visiting arrangements: check access and opening before travel, as the exterior Wall passage is not a museum ticket. Do not rely on Kielder Castle as a guaranteed open café stop: Forestry England reports continuing refurbishment, while forest walking and cycling facilities operate separately. Tynemouth and Whitehaven are the classic Reivers termini; this option reaches Workington and North Shields instead.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Workington and Carlisle stations can provide access to separate sections. Each needs its own connection; neither is the original foothill start. Arrange independent arrival and return for the Longlands–Green Head area. Check bicycle carriage with the train operator. On the eastern side, confirm local transport arrangements separately: do not assume North Shields Metro can carry every type of bicycle.
By car
Choose an accessible settlement as a base and permitted meeting places for individual sections. The two ends near Green Head differ, so arrange a separate return. Narrow country roads, walking passages beside the Roman Wall and one-way urban roads do not provide a ready vehicle-support itinerary. Enter private approaches only with permission.
Parking
Parking is unconfirmed. Check where a car may remain for the full trip, particularly around Longlands and Green Head. Short-visit parking at a monument does not establish permission for a multi-day stay. Keep gateways and access to farmland clear.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Newcastle Chinatown Arch the decorative gateway near Stowell Street, visible directly from the public street.
Sewingshields Turret 35A Remains low stone foundations beside Hadrian’s Wall on an exposed crag.
Knag Burn Roman Gateway surviving remains of a passage through the ancient Wall beside a stream hollow.
Sycamore Gap the distinctive dip between hills; protected shoots now grow from the stump of the tree felled in 2023.
Cawfields Milecastle Roman remains beside the crag section of the Wall, with a small fortified enclosure still recognisable.
Aesica Fort Earthworks grass-covered remains of Great Chesters fort, viewed from the Roman Military Way.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 4794 м.
SurfaceAsphalt 23%, Dirt / grass 8%, Gravel 5%, Unknown 60%.
Риски Before cycling, replace the wrong-way sections in Workington, Newcastle and at Carlisle’s junctions. Do not follow them or cross median barriers. Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman Military Way include paths where riding is prohibited; arrange permitted walking visits to the monuments. Exposed crags are windy, and steps and stones become slippery after rain. Do not climb on Roman masonry, and stay outside the protective barrier at Sycamore Gap. Woodland and rural sections need food, water and daylight reserves.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 1 d 19 h
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
A multi-day plan for the complete journey has not been established. First revise road connections, separate the walking visits and confirm accommodation. Standard Reivers timings do not apply to this extended option. Allow for repeated sections, urban approaches and the separate connection between the Green Head ends. A standalone day at a chosen section of Hadrian’s Wall offers a manageable way to begin exploring.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Long daylight and moderate winds suit a separately prepared journey. The exposed Wall is less inviting in heavy rain or fog, while unpaved passages become muddy. Winter requires particular attention to road conditions and ice. The season does not remove cycling prohibitions or wrong-way sections: revise them in your own itinerary beforehand.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Grippy walking footwear for the Roman Wall and uneven paths
Windproof and waterproof clothing
Map of permitted roads and separate walking approaches
Phone and power bank
Water, food and first-aid kit
Headtorch
For a revised cycling itinerary: sound brakes, helmet and lights
Pump, spare tube and tools
Confirmed accommodation and return plan

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Workington and Carlisle stations can provide access to separate sections. Each needs its own connection; neither is the original foothill start. Arrange independent arrival and return for the Longlands–Green Head area. Check bicycle carriage with the train operator. On the eastern side, confirm local transport arrangements separately: do not assume North.

Is this route suitable for children?

Do not treat this as a basic child-friendly route: check difficulty, length, and trail conditions before going.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 423.6 km, hard.

Discussion

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