Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent tour

Experience three of the UK’s major attractions. The history of Roman Brittain as you cycle along Hadrians Wall across the Border between Scotland and England , the stunning scenery of the English Lake District and then contrasting countryside of the Northern Pennines.

Today arrive to Carlisle , easily reached from the airports in Newcastle , Manchester or Liverpool. Carlisle is on the Border with Scotland , on Hadrian’s Wall and to the north of the Lake District.

Today you leave Carlisle and head south into the Northern sections of the English Lake District. Cycling away from Carlisle alongside the River Caldew and onto open farmlands through lovely country lanes. Soon you reach the Caldbeck Fells of the Northern lakes which you circle on the lower slopes before descending into Keswick which situated on one of the great lakes, Derwent Water.

Day 3: Keswick Loop (43 km)

Now it is time to explore the beautiful English Lake District or you can decide to maybe take a rest day and relax in this beautiful Cumbrian town. Your ride today will take alongside Derwent Water through Rosthwaite and Borrowdale before climbing over Honister Pass at 300m. You descend down to Buttermere and Cummock Water before climbing over Whinlater pass( 250m )  to Keswick. Although you have two climbs you will be rewarded with stunning lake and mountain scenery.

Optional Night Keswick
Today you can take a deserved rest , do some walking or relax in Keswick. For those who wish to cycle it is back over Whinlater Pass and down the Larton Valley to Cockermouth. Now you follow the River Derwent and above Bassenthwaite Lake to Keswick.

A long day today as you cycle through the North Pennine Hills along the Sea to Sea cycle route. After Huddlesceugh you climb over the Pennines to Alston passing Hartside. Usually there is a prevailing west wind which will blow you along your journey through the Pennines. Your destination Alston is the UK’s highest market town.

Today you will cycle back into the west side of Newcastle where you will stay overnight in Ryton. You will cycle through some lovely north Pennine villages before the long descent to Ryton.

Leaving Ryton you will quickly join the Hadrian’s Cycleway going west. You will pass Stephenson’s Cottage where the famous railway engineer was born and on to Corbridge, originally a Roman town. In Corbridge you can visit the Roman Fort before continuing to the market town of Hexham where you can admire the ancient Abbey.

You continue west along the Hadrian’s cycleway where the terrain now becomes more undulating. There’s a slight detour to visit the Roman fort of Housesteads, then passing the reconstructed Vindolanda fort before arriving at the National Park Visitor Centre, situated next to the most spectacular remains of Hadrian’s Wall.

Some hilly sections today as you descend across the northern end of the Pennines following the course of Hadrian’s Wall past Gisland where you can visit the Birdoswald Roman Fort, then onto the Vale of Eden into Carlisle.

After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

Tours depart daily from May to September.

- 7 nights in excellent quality B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.

- Personal welcome meeting and distribution of bikes and tour information

- English breakfast each day.

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 18-21 gear hybrid bike with helmet, pannier bag, pump, water bottle, tool kit and lock.

MODERATE: You cycle on minor country lanes and quiet roads however the terrain is quite hilly. Suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness.

Total distance is 290km (180 miles)

To Newcastle airport and then by train to Carlisle.
To Manchester to Liverpool airports and then by train to Carlisle.