I'd just followed Newgat Four from Newcastle to Gateshead via the High Level Bridge, then I turned on my heel to walk back across the river on the Swing Bridge....

Paddy Dillon

I don't know how many times I've passed through Newcastle on the train and never had the time to cross some of the bridges over the river....

Paddy Dillon

For those able to use steps you can cut down just on the left of the bridge, otherwise just go past the bridge and go down a short embankment then turn right and go under the bridge to join the path. It's then a case of following the path head, crossing the road and entering the Whitehills Nature Park. The path takes you out of the Nature Park where you turn left along the street. Follow the road and just past a new housing development on your right cross the road and enter the Windy Nook Nature Park. The view towards the coast as you leave Springwell, then the views north towards the Scottish border as you walk through Windy Nook nature Park....

Philip Le Marquand

The view towards the coast as you leave Springwell, then the views north towards the Scottish border as you walk through Windy Nook nature Park. for even more views especially on a clear day before leaving Whitehills climb the small hill in front of you, (actually a pit heap), where there is a mock ruin/art installation with fantastic views....

Philip Le Marquand

See WHIGAT 2 for a better route that follows the Sustrans C2C route from St Omers road on towards the Redheugh Bridge where it rejoins this route. Worth keeping this route for stormy days when the river route can be hard work!...

Andy Redfern

So, I’ll just add the comment that plotted without the wiggles it’s about 0.85m/1.3k and almost level except the slope to Gateshead metro/bus station....

Mary Oz

From the start point I felt that the route took an unnecessarily long way round to reach the cycle track above the Tyne. 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. This diversion rejoined the River Tyne Trail by the industrial area, where it had to follow roads for a bit....

Mary Oz

A nice route from Whickham to Gateshead, especially through Cross Lane Meadows nature reserve, along the river and Windmill Hills park. There are some interesting views and sculptures to see....

Lucy S

A good route connecting Whickham and Gateshead with limited road walking. Good viewpoints at each end and a lovely stretch along the river. Enjoyed it!...

Dan Barron

Straight forward, direct route. Nice views across the river. Enjoyed the bridge graffiti too....

Dan Barron

The Springwell end starts with a little bit of a narrow footpath that was quite muddy in places but after that it was very clear and easy to follow. I really enjoyed this route....

Emzor

At Whitehills I couldn’t find the bridle path which is marked on the OS map, but it was easy to pick up another path to the top of the hill....

Jane Taylor

You'll mostly be walking downhill and you'll get to enjoy the views more. Although neglected in places, White Hill is a lovely nature space....

danravenellison

Overall this is a good route, but we did find 3 places where it is inaccurate and could potentially cause problems. Please use Gatspr Two which corrects these glitches....

Jane Taylor

The Springwell end starts with a little bit of a narrow footpath that was quite muddy in places but after that it was very clear and easy to follow. I really enjoyed this route....

Emzor

I surveyed and planned this revised route in January. It was great to go out and enjoy it in June with other Slow Ways volunteers and team members. A lovely walk....

Andy Redfern

It is fun walking across the high level bridge - great views of the river and other bridges!...

Lucy S

However, it has two steep sections - the Tyne Bridge down to the Swing Bridge and the section from the Quayside up Forth Banks....

Andy Redfern

The strongest reason is that it is the closest route to being level as the High Level bridge allows you to cross the Tyne 30metres above river....

Andy Redfern

A great way to cross the Tyne on a historic bridge and allowing you to enjoy the Riverside on either bank....

Andrew Davies

A good route with a pleasant and surprisingly green north half in Gateshead with the cycle way and Riverside Park taking you all the way to the south bank of the Tyne. The south half is walking on minor roads, but even on a Sunday afternoon there were enough passing cars to require caution. This is especially so on the Coach Road where the noise of the nearby A1 means you can't always hear traffic coming....

Andrew Davies

There are no cycle paths on the Newcastle side, but good crossings and cycle paths on Gatehead side. Some very steep sections. Beautiful view of the bridges and river....

Lucy S

In summary this route is in two halves - the town centre section which is actually almost all off road, and the rural section which is on quiet lanes and footpaths along quiet roads....

Andy Redfern

A dog leg at the Autumn drive traffic lights is a safe crossing place and then the route follows an old waggonway through to Ropery Road. The suggested route across Lobley Hill road is too dangerous during business hours and I would recommend using the pair of underpasses and the bridge to you at the start of the Coach road. The section along the Coach Road is easy to follow but does require a cautious approach as it is narrow in some places and has a 60mph speed limit. As you approach Lady Park the official route follows a short path up to Banesley Lane and then through to Ouslaw Lane. A much better route as noted by the previous reviewer is to head on through Lady Park and follow Banesley Lane towards the A1 junction. There is a short public footpath from Banesley Lane to Lamesley Road which saves cross the road at the busy Coalhouse Roundabout....

Andy Redfern

Once the other side there is a series of steps going down then a shorter section going up to the Cathedral....

Philip Le Marquand

It is a nice route as mentioned before only on foot though there are other routes including Newgat three and Newgat four which are more accessible....

Philip Le Marquand

This is a good route if you want to avoid steps and still want to cross the river via the quayside and swing bridge. It does what it says on the tin....

Philip Le Marquand

The view when crossing the bridge is arguably more impressive if you use the downstream side of the bridge - you look towards the Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge, and Millennium Bridge plus the Iconic Sage Music Venue....

Philip Le Marquand

The first of the routes pedestrian underpasses negotiated there is a section of walking beside a busy road before heading along marked footpaths towards the Trading Estate. There is a possible option to cross the A1 Western Bypass over a footbridge which might be worth investigation as just after this to avoid crossing a busy road I detoured through another underpass. The two cross country sections could maybe be avoided by continuing though Ladypark and Lamesley which would also have avoided one of the road sections and steep uphill climb!...

Philip Le Marquand

The road past what was the Gas Works is ok but I would suggest a better route would be to cut down to Dunston Staithes and walk along the river then rejoin the path through Gateshead Riverside Park....

Philip Le Marquand

First, around the cathedral, there are lots of stairs, and then the alleyway taking you to Central Station is gated and locked at both ends....

Hiking Historian

There are a lot of steps down to the river to cross the Swing Bridge from the castle, however, but it's otherwise a decent walk....

Hiking Historian

The approach to the river is sloped, but with ramps at all appropriate road crossings. The promenade is well-paved with great views of all the bridges....

Hiking Historian

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....

inta147

Mostly tarmac paths which are well signed as a cycleway....

Philip Le Marquand

This feels like a route of two halves - the first a steady climb using streets then onto rougher tracks through post industrial wasteland and countryside on often very muddy and sometimes boggy paths....

Philip Le Marquand

I would recommend Newgat Two if you can handle all its steps as it is quieter (and you get a better view of the bridge)....

Slow Ways Darren

The swing bridge is actually quite a quiet route across the Tyne and provides great views of the iconic Tyne Bridge....

Slow Ways Darren

Combination of urban pathways, uneven ground in park areas and some steep inclines. Probably not the best walk to attempt in the dark or low light as some areas are unlit and others are alongside busy roads. There are no toilets or shops along the route, just at the start & the endpoints....

Clackas

Tries to take you down a gated alleyway, then walks across the busiest bridge for traffic. A further issue with routing one over the bridge. Some steps as well....

Marion Frankland

Follows a cycle route throughout with some short road sections along pavement. Cracked and poorly maintained sections of cycle path would make this difficult but not impossible with a wheelchair....

Maddy Churchhouse