Saunter to the Staiths

Starting out at Walker Activity Dome this mostly traffic free route takes you along the pretty green corridoor of cycle route 72 through and out onto The Quayside. This may be the centre of Newcastle Gateshead but you'll be surrounded by plenty of green space and the steely blue of the river. Lots of photo opportunities today including stunning views up the river of the iconic Millennium, Tyne and Swing Bridges.

The route continues on the traffic free riverside path along the Tyne up to Scotwood and cross over the bridge to join Hadrian's Way route 14 crossing over the Derwent and winding past the Metrocentre still on cyclepaths.  The destination is the 526-metre long Dunston Staiths. A Scheduled Ancient Monument, believed to be the largest timber structure in Europe. You can stop for a cuppa at the Staiths Cafe which gives a great view of this intruiging piece North Eastern Railway built to allow coal from collieries in Gateshead and County Durham to be loaded on to ships bound for London and the continent. The demise of the coal industry finally saw it close in 1982 , falling into disrepair until is recent renovation.

Heading back on the Gateshead riverside you will be able to take in some of the sculpture trail.  Also passing The Sage and The Baltic and ride over the beautiful Millennium Bridge back past The Cycle Hub at Byker, St Peter's Marina and up Pottery Bank to the end point at Walker. Mostly traffic free and on cycle path, and mostly flat, with just a few short sections on quiet road.

This route has been British Cycling assessed as an accessible route, meaning it is suitable for the majority of adaptive bikes. The route will have no or low levels of traffic, there will be plenty of space and will have a good surface throughout. If you have any questions about using this route on an adaptive bike on this ride, please use the red 'Contact Us' button below or call 0161 274 2000 and ask for the Recreation team .