Great North Forest Birtley to Causey Arch

(S) From Newcastle Bank, take the ramp on the north side of the street down to the cycle path and pass beneath Newcastle Bank on a southwesterly direction. Follow signs you see for the Bowes Railway Path.

(1) The path will pass under Lamesley Road and then under the railway lines and several other underpasses, before crossing the River Team. Stay on this heading until you have passed the village of Kibblesworth on your right. The cycle path then bears northwest crossing Kibblesworth Bank, the way forward is clearly signed Tanfield Railway. The path will then cross Birklands Lane, check out the sculpture here, then continue on the same heading.

(2) The path will emerge after 5km (from the start) onto Birkheads Lane, turn to the left to visit Birkheads Secret Garden or continue across the road maintaining the same northwesterly direction. The path will cross the Tyne-Wear Trail, ignore this and continue exiting the path at a small car park.

(3) Cross Burdon Plain to the entrance of the Tanfield Railway. Go through the white gate, cross the line and continue on the Bowes Railway Path in a south-easterly direction. Follow this path which turns south then east before turning south again passing through a gate.

(4) When you emerge onto the access road, turn right and cross the road. A short distance down the road, you will see a path signposted Causey Arch to your left, take this path south through the trees. Cross Causey Burn using the footbridges (3), keeping left at the fork after the third bridge.

(5) Ascend the steps and take the left-hand path which runs alongside the railway line to the Causey Arch Car Park and Tea Room (E).

Transport: There is no parking at Birtley other than in surrounding streets. There is parking at Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway. Take Go North East service X30/X31 to Newcastle changing at Newgate Street then take 21 Angel bus to the start of the walk.

Facilities: There are no facilities on this route until you reach Birkheads Secret Garden, there is a cafe here which welcomes cyclists and walkers. There is also a cafe and picnic area at Causey Arch and the Causey Arch Inn at the end of the walk.

Accessibility: The majority of this walk is on cycle paths/bridle ways and during fine weather should be passible for all. Squeeze gates suitable for cyclists are placed at road crossings. However the last stretch of the walk from the Entrance (3) is along field boundaries and subject to wet muddy conditions after rain (see link below for accessibility routes at Causey Arch itself) and many steps. It is suggested that a more accessible route is left from the entrance straight along A6076 to the main car park at Causey Arch.

Accommodation: The Beamish Park Hotel is located near Causey Arch and the Bowes Incline near the start of the walk.

• Birkheads Secret Gardens - garden centre and cafe.
• Tanfield Railway - trains run on weekends during the summer, please check before you go.
• Causey Arch - The worlds oldest single span railway bridge.