Eighton Banks - Tanfield loop - Half Marathon Route

 Check out the route on Strava
- https://www.strava.com/routes/2709819145490124852

Park at the Engine Room pub at Eighton Banks NE9 7XR. The run follows the Bowes Railway paths to start off. A nice 100m+ descent to ease into the run (however - this does means that it's a horrible finish!). Once you run through a tunnel under the A1(M) then it is a long, long slog up the hill for 3.5km. At the top of the hill you get some nice views of Gateshead/Team Valley and before long you are at the Tanfield Railway - definitely worth going 'off piste' for 300m to get a view of the old railway station. Then it's down the road to the Causey Arch - again - definitely worth going down into the gorge to see the arch from underneath. There is a lovely path that follows the valley around and then a few nice little footpaths around the back of Beamish Hall. The final 6-7 km starts with a nice relaxing descent back to the A1(M) - then a tough, tough couple of km to get back to the start. Make sure you look left to see the Angel of the North!


Selected photos...
The tunnels you find under the A1 are sometimes amazing

Go back in time to the Tanfield Railway

The bridge with the widest stone arch *in-the-world* - Cause Arch

See the Angel of the North from a distance
Strava Segment of note:
- Greenfield to Birkland - 3km of pain

Useful links:
Tanfield Railway - the world's oldest working railway
https://tanfield-railway.co.uk/
Causey Arch - the world's widest stone arch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causey_Arch
Beamish Hall - a great day out
Angel of the North - the UK's most famous piece of public art
https://www.visitengland.com/experience/visit-angel-north

Series:
For a list of different half marathon routes around the North East of England see:

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