Hadrian's Cycleway

This cycling tour is suitable for most regular cyclists. You’ll spend much of the day in the saddle and you should be experienced with this to enjoy your holiday.

Before your tour, we recommend cycling a couple of consecutive days, so you get used to riding back-to-back days and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure to take into account the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The route is approximately 32% is traffic-free. The route mainly runs on country lanes and quiet roads, interspersed with sections of traffic-free path, promenade and riverside path. The terrain varies from flatter sections to and rolling hills.

This tour is graded moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is specifically chosen to suit cyclists - a mix of hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&Bs, each offering secure cycle storage, a warm welcome, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the options along the way - some accommodations can provide a packed lunch on request, or you can pick something up from shops and cafés en route. Dinner is available at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

You can start this tour on any day between April and September. Weather in northern England is changeable, as it is across the UK, so it's worth being prepared whatever time of year you travel. May, early June and September tend to be the driest months, while July and August are the warmest.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

The route is well-marked throughout, as it forms part of the National Cycle Network.

By air and rail
The most convenient international airports are Newcastle and Manchester. Trains run from Newcastle Airport to Newcastle city centre (around 25 minutes) every 12 minutes, and there's also a regular train service between Manchester Airport and Newcastle city centre (around 3 hours). We recommend checking National Rail for train timetables and bookings, though note that tickets are usually only available within 12 weeks of travel.

By car
Newcastle is a 5-hour drive from London and a 3-hour drive from Manchester. Long-term parking is hard to find in the summer months, so public transport is the best option.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable. On this route, the Hadrian's Wall bus can carry bikes, though these must be booked on in advance, and it's a handy option if you want to skip ahead.

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid Bike (flat bar): Giant Escape, Merida Crossway or Merida Speeder.

E-bike: Scott Sub, Cube Kathmandu or Merida Espresso.

Gravel bike (drop bar): Merida Silex or Giant Revolt.

Road bike: Giant Defy.

Tandem bikes aren't recommended on this route due to sharp bends and gates.

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. Minimum age for e-bike hire is 16 years.

Please provide your height for bike sizing, head circumference if you'd like to hire a helmet, and your preferred frame style (crossbar, full step-through or trapeze) and pedal type (flat is standard, or cages, SPD MTB, combined, SPD SL or Look KEO) when booking.

Bike hire includes a spare inner tube, a helmet (though we recommend bringing your own), a repair kit and pump, a pannier bag (excluding gravel and road bikes), a lock and a water bottle holder.

Many people choose an e-bike for the extra assistance, though note e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. Gravel and road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists comfortable with the riding position and fitness demands of this style of biking.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation