Two Rivers Cycleway

START: Bents Park / Amphitheatre TIC
DISTANCE: 8 miles (13km) one way,
16 miles (26km) return
HEIGHT LOST & GAINED: Very little – mostly flat route
OS EXPLORER MAP: 308-316

DESCRIPTION

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

Start on South Shields Promenade next to the
Amphitheatre Tourist Information Centre (or the Life Guard Station if you are hiring bikes). Families might want to visit Bents Park (opposite your start point) for the boating lake, ducks, and model railway rides - particularly popular with younger members of the family! From your start point follow the coastal promenade south (sea to your left).

Follow the blue National Cycle Network route '1' (NCN1) signs joining a cycleway alongside the coast road. The area to your left is known as the Leas, and offers 2.5 miles of beach, cliff and grassland with spectacular views,
flora and fauna. The National Trust manages both the Leas and the Lighthouse that you are now approaching.

Continue ahead passing Marsden Grotto (on your left),
Marsden Kilns (on your right). Red and white Souter Lighthouse (on your left) was opened in 1871. The lighthouse tower and keeper’s living quarters are all on
display and the climb to the lantern room is rewarded with great coastal views. And if you are already working up a thirst, there is a tearoom here too! Leave Souter Lighthouse and continue following NCN1 signs, passing the Whitburn Lodge Pub (on your left).

After passing Whitburn Windmill (to your right) and the Whitburn Firing Ranges (on your left) - take first turn left - (signed but hard to spot) then right - left down through estate bearing right at garages and left through barrier on to the cliff top path.

At small wooden signs turn right along cliff edge - passing a decorative milepost (on your left) continue to the road, past a tea kiosk (on your right) - follow the road around to the left and at the main road turn left on to a cycleway alongside the A183.

Continue on the cycleway passing a supermarket (to the right), milepost (to the left) to the second roundabout (Swallow Hotel).

Continue uphill passing white 'New South Pier Lighthouse' (on your left) along the cliff edge to the top of the hill and over Roker Bridge.

Along the upper promenade to the next roundabout - turn sharp left down the steep cobble path to the lower promenade (Roker seafront).

Join the coastal access road (Marine Walk), pass the Smugglers Pub, then after the children's play area bear left and join the promenade and pass car parks (to your right) and Yacht Club house to the milepost at the North Pier.

To get to the National Glass Centre cycle around the Marina, passing the Marina Activity Centre, to the cycleway along the north bank of the River Wear. Head inland for 700 metres until you reach the National Glass Centre adjacent to the river and cycle route. The National Glass Centre is situated in a unique building overlooking the river. View displays, see glass makers and artists in
action, or rest and relax in the café before continuing on your ride. If you want to cycle into the centre of Sunderland (for the Museum and Winter Gardens, shops,
services and rail station) continue on the cycle way along the north bank of the river to Wearmouth Bridge. Cross the bridge to the south side of the river and the city centre (refer to Sunderland and Wearside cycling map for
detailed route map of Sunderland city centre).

To return to South Shields retrace your route.