Cycling Routes in NewcastleGateshead

There has never been a better time to hop on your bike and start exploring NewcastleGateshead – from Quayside to coast and countryside. Cycling is a great way to explore our region, enjoy fresh air and burn off some energy on a city break. It is also a great, safe and green alternative way to get around.

Whether you have your own bike or need to hire a bike in Newcastle and Gateshead – there are plenty of safe and scenic cycle routes in the North East that are suitable for all abilities and don’t require a long drive to find the starting point.

Where to cycle in Newcastle

There are some great cycling routes around Newcastle. If you’re looking for something a little more sedate, hop on a bike and use pedal-power to discover Newcastle’s easily navigatable city and parks like Exhibition Park and the Town Moor. The paths through Heaton Park to Jesmond Dene are also a great place for families to cycle, however please be careful of people out for a stroll as these paths can get a little congested.

The ‘reverse C2C’ or the Reivers Route, is a more advanced cycle route which leaves Newcastle northwards on its traffic-free start back towards the east coast.

Where to cycle along NewcastleGateshead Quayside

Both sides of NewcastleGateshead Quayside are flat and provide long-stretches of cycle pathways to enjoy a leisurely bike ride as a family or for those who want to take in the iconic views along the River Tyne. The busiest point is where the seven bridges cross the River Tyne at NewcastleGateshead Quayside, however, there is much to explore by bike so venture a little further afield along the River Tyne heading west towards Northumberland or east towards the North East coast on the epic Coast-to-Coast route.

Newburn to Wylam is a great example of a cycle route along the Newcastle and Northumberland banks of the river. Pedal along the River Tyne and enjoy a wonderfully straight and flat route through the leafy, tree-lined cycle paths.

For a short, family-friendly cycle ride on the Gateshead side of the river hop on your bikes at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and follow the path alongside the Tyne to Bill Quay Farm - this is approximately a 4-mile ride.

Cycle Routes in Gateshead

Discover the beautiful countryside that covers much of Gateshead on your bike. Take in the undulating terrain of the Derwent Walk and cycle the well-surfaced paths which make it a great route for all abilities of cyclist. There are a number of cycling routes on Gateshead Council's website. Don't miss an opportunity to take a selfie with the Angel by following the cycling routes leading up to the Angel of the North.

Enjoy cycling from the Gateshead countryside to the coast on the cycle route from Beamish to Roker beach or head off-road at Chopwell woods to tackle the cycle trails for mountain bikers and daredevils. 

There is a long-distance, Sustrans C2C cycle route from Swalwell beside the River Derwent which joins The Keelman's Way and runs along the south bank of the River Tyne between Wylam and Hebburn.

Taking on the Hadrian’s Cycleway

Take on the scenic Hadrian’s Cycleway – part of this cycle route include a section from Newcastle to South Shields (11 miles) or Prudhoe to Newcastle (13 miles). Equally, the more adventurous amongst you could follow Hadrian’s Cycleway the full 170 miles along the line of the Roman frontier through Hadrian’s Wall Country from Ravenglass in Cumbria to South Shields in Tyne & Wear. Much of the cycle route is on minor roads or well-surfaced off-road tracks making this a manageable way to enjoy the North East countryside. 

Where to hire a bike in NewcastleGateshead

If you want to hire a bike in NewcastleGateshead then The Cycle Hub on Newcastle Quayside has plenty of bikes to choose from including road bikes, off-road and kids bike. There is also a bike workshop at the riverside café which is available seven-days a week for cyclists who would like to have their own bike repaired or given the once over. Grab a cup of takeaway coffee and enjoy the Quayside views while you wait! (Please note their toilets are currently closed and they only accept card payments). Find out more about hiring a bike during coronavirus or the bike workshop on The Cycle Hub website.

Across the river at By The River Brew Co, Gateshead Quayside – Backyard Bikeshop also run a bike workshop to service and repair your bikes. The trendy café is also serving takeaway coffees and hot drinks so it’s another chance to refuel! Backyard Bikeshop is open seven-days a week - find out more on their Facebook page. 

Useful links: Discovering NewcastleGateshead’s cycle routes

• Cycling UK: includes cycle routes around Tyne and Wear as well as links to local cycling groups and what you need to take with you when you go out on your bike. 
• If you get particularly into cycling – then you can buy a Tyne and Wear cycle map from Sustrans.
• Gateshead Council’s Free Cycle Map PDF
• Visit the Sustrans website for more information and loads of brilliant maps and cycle routes.
• The Cycle Hub
• Backyard Bikeshop
• Space for Gosforth: SPACE for Gosforth is a community group to promote and campaign for a Safe Pedestrian and Cycling Environment for Gosforth.