Gatheb one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this from Hebburn to Gateshead.
From the start point I felt that the route took an unnecessarily long way round to reach the cycle track above the Tyne. However, it was a nice, undulating walk above the river with views of the flexible piping factory the other side, with its cranes and huge colourful cable reels.
I passed The Cricketers pub at Bill Quay, but it has mainly evening hours and I don’t think it does food. I couldn’t find any other facilities mid-route, unless you go right up into Pelaw, and even then, not much. Soon after The Cricketers, there was some excellent cartoon graffiti.
The route *mostly* follows Cycle Route 14 and the River Tyne Trail. However, there is a pointless diversion off it around a playing field near Pelaw, just east of where the route has to skirt around the big AkzoNobel paint plant. It is easy to miss, as the Hebburn end is merely some trodden grass. The path gets clearer as you head steeply uphill through woods, and then up the side of the playing field. There is a pavement between housing and the field. The field had tethered horses in it at the time. This diversion rejoined the River Tyne Trail by the industrial area, where it had to follow roads for a bit.
During this section and the field part before it, I suffered heavy, drenching rain. Some parts of the roads around here had minimal pavements due to overgrowth of hedges. It was nice to reach the riverside again, especially as the sun came out again! There was a section of slightly inaccurate plotting just along here, but it was easy enough to follow on the ground.
From here there were many things of interest – the kittiwake towers, the Baltic arts centre, the Sage/Glasshouse, and all those fabulous bridges.
Then it was a short uphill walk past Gateshead old town hall and clock tower, and some shops, to the metro and bus station.
Pretty good route apart from the odd quibbles.

Great family friendly route with great views along the Tyne.
Pub based facilities at middle and both ends.
Easily extended to Newcastle or South Shields from either end of the walk.
Could even extend to Tynemouth catching ferry back to start.

This is a good route. Mostly tarmac paths which are well signed as a cycleway.

GatesHeb one starts with a steep downhill through Gateshead centre. After this is relatively flat until a shallow rise at the end towards Hebburn. Follows a cycle route throughout with some short road sections along pavement.

Most of the route is along the river through trees and parks, with good views over the Tyne. Beginning and end sections are more urban and also pass through industrial estates. Easy access to pubs directly on route including The Wardley in Bill Quay.

Cracked and poorly maintained sections of cycle path would make this difficult but not impossible with a wheelchair. It would still be quite managable with a buggy.

Modifications (see photos):
1. Where the route tells you to head left towards river beneath a metal yellow arch, this is a dead end. Instead follow the cycle path signs on the right.
2. At path junction by lamppost, you can take the left fork, but it becomes much steeper and not buggy/wheelchair accessible.
3. A short diversion off the riverside path at Pelaw takes you through Bill Quay Community farm and see the pigs, sheep and goats.
4. Multiple options towards the end for footpaths through Riverside Park are all usable.

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