Cycle Cullercoats
The National Cycle Network route one passes through Cullercoats which has also seen the Tour of Britain race through its streets. If you want something a little off the beaten track the Wagonway network will take you out into the countryside and beyond.
We have five featured routes and will be adding more as time goes by. If you discover a great ride then let us know and we may add it to the site. All of these routes vary in difficulty and our as accurate as we can make them. Please make sure you have a map or GPS for navigating when out for a ride.
St Mary’s Lighthouse – Green Route – 6.6 miles
This one is a great little ride out for the family if you are looking for a morning or afternoon activity. The route can be done on shared cycle path, although it is tight around the Cullercoats Fishermans Mission and Browns Bay so watch out for other users. If you are confident on the road you can use it at this point and then move pack onto the wide pavement and cycle path as you enter Whitley Bay. You will pass the Spanish City and move along the promenade till you reach St Mary’s Lighthouse. If you want to get on to the Island you will need to check the tide times which can be found here. Please don’t cross if you are unsure of these as you can get cut off quickly when the tide is coming in. At the right time of year you will see resting seals on the far side of the island, keep your distance from them and enjoy them from a distance.
Cycle Hub – Blue Route – 22.6 miles
This ride is nearly all on cycle paths and is another one the family will enjoy. From Cullercoats you make your way to Tynemouth, past the Priory and along the edge of the Tyne to the Fish Quay. From here you weave your way along the edge of the Tyne all the way to the Quayside in Newcastle. On you journey you will pass through the Royal Quays Marina and the Segedunum Roman Fort and other parts of Hadrians Wall that still exists amongst the old shipyards and industrial units that have sprung up along the Tyne. When you get to the Cycle Hub you can enjoy a drink and food on the banks of the Tyne and if you fancy going a little further you can ride up to the Millennium Bridge. This route has a number of ascents which will test most recreational cyclists but are definitely worth the effort.
Cullercoats – Three Hills – Yellow Route – 25 miles
This one is for those who want something a bit more lumpy and takes in three short star climbs that will give you some great views of North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. Again the route is a mixture of wagonway, cycle paths, roads and a little off-road. The route takes you up out of Cullercoats and then out towards West Monkseaton. From here you make your way to a wagonway that will take you to West Allotment Country Park and Sun Dial hill. A long drag up to the bottom of this man made mound and then a steeper sprint around the edge brings you to a giant sun dial with views over North Tyneside. The descent down the other side is long and straight and will lead you to more wagonways that lead you to the Rising Sun Country Park and the Rising Sun Hill, where you will find views of Newcastle and beyond. The park contains a small farm and a large nature reserve, as well as cafes and a park. If you aren’t stopping then make your way down the hill, through some woods and out of the park towards the final hill. This section takes you along some roads and a busy roundabout but there is pedestrian crossing all the way round to get you across safely. From there it is wagonways and Cycle paths to Weetslade Hill. Once this final climb is complete it is the return home up to Seghill on to Earsdon and then the Whitley Bay Promenade and the last final section home.
Cullercoats – Holywell Dene – Seaton Sluice – Pink Route – 10.4 miles
This ride offers a mix of wagonways, cycle paths and roads but it is still accessible to most riders. The track through Holywell Dene can be muddy and the paths narrow so be careful for other users. There are also some short downhill and uphill sections through this area that can be tricky if it is wet. The route takes you up Mast Lane and along to by Marden Quarry and out towards Monkseaton and the start of the Wagonway. This will take you out to Holywell Dene through shaded paths and fields until you hit the Dene. Just on the right is a small jumps track that has been built up but make sure you have a helmet and our confident if you decide to stop here. If you follow the rest of the route you will have to lift your bike over the fence and then follow the path through the Dene till you get to Seaton Sluice. From here you head back along the coast past St Mary’s Lighthouse, along the promenade to the Spanish City and home to Cullercoats.
Cullercoats – Tyne Tunnel – Cycle Hub – Red Route -26.1 miles
This ride follows much of the Blue route but with a detour under the Tyne and back along the south bank of the Tyne before returning back to Cullercoats. The paths are a mixture of roads and cycle paths and include a ride under the River Tyne. The Pedestrian Tunnel that makes its way under the Tyne was only opened again in 2019 having originally opened in 1951. At its height the tunnel saw 20,000 people a day making the journey through the tunnel. It has two lanes one for pedestrians and a dedicate cyclist tunnel and will take you the 270m from one back of the Tyne to the other. Once on the south side you will travel along road and cycle path till you reach the Millennium bridge which you can cross over and then start your return home. You will pass the Cycle Hub if you fancy a pit stop along the way or you can wait till you hit the Fish Quay in North Shields for some refreshments.
Cycling Information
Safe storage – If you need to lock your bike up somewhere safe and secure then there are Cylce lock up storage by Cullercoats Metro Station at the Station Road entrance. These need a smartcard which can be applied for from Nexus and our free of charge.
There is also street furniture for locking your bike to if you are just stopping for a drink on your jounrey. These are situated on John Street opposite Cullercoats Coffee.