Running & Cycling in Whitley Bay
Seafront promenade, Whitley Bay parkrun, coastal cycling to St Mary's, and local running clubs — your guide to staying active.
Whitley Bay sits right in the middle of one of the best stretches of coast in the North East for runners and cyclists. The seafront promenade is flat and wide, the coastal paths reach Tynemouth in one direction and St Mary's Lighthouse in the other, and there is a well-established parkrun on The Links every Saturday morning. Add in strong local clubs and good Metro connections, and it is hard to find a better base for getting out on foot or two wheels.
Best for: All routes described below are on public paths and roads -- no special access or membership required.
Running Routes
The Seafront Promenade -- The paved promenade running along Whitley Bay's seafront is the most popular route in town. It stretches from the Spanish City dome southwards towards Cullercoats, offering flat, even surfaces and sea views throughout. An out-and-back along the full promenade is roughly 3km and makes for an easy midweek run or warm-up.
Whitley Bay to Tynemouth -- Continue south from the promenade through Cullercoats and along the clifftop path to Tynemouth. The route passes Cullercoats Bay, runs above Longsands Beach, and finishes at the Priory headland. The one-way distance is approximately 3.5km, giving a 7km round trip on a mix of tarmac and compacted gravel. There are some gentle inclines around the headlands, but nothing steep.
Whitley Bay to St Mary's Lighthouse -- Heading north from the promenade, follow the coastal path past the Links Common and along the shore to St Mary's Island. The route is roughly 3km each way and takes in rock pools, grassy clifftops, and the lighthouse causeway (accessible at low tide). The terrain includes short grassy sections and gravel paths alongside the tarmac.
The Links Common -- The open green space behind the seafront provides a traffic-free area for steady runs, intervals, or a quick loop before work. Tarmac paths criss-cross The Links and connect to the promenade at several points.
Parkrun
Whitley Bay parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am on The Links Common, starting and finishing on the large tarmac area near the War Memorial and Spanish City dome. The course is two laps on a mixture of tarmac and gravel paths, covering 5km with a few short inclines. Monkseaton Metro station is around a ten-minute walk from the start.
There is also a Whitley Bay junior parkrun on Sunday mornings for children aged 4 to 14, covering a 2km course on the same site.
Parkrun is free, timed, and open to all abilities -- you can run, jog, or walk. Register once at parkrun.org.uk and bring a scannable copy of your barcode.
Running Clubs
North Shields Polytechnic -- One of the largest athletics clubs in the North East with over 650 members. Founded over a century ago, the club is based at the community track at Churchill Playing Fields in Whitley Bay. They cover track and field, road running, cross country, fell running, and triathlon for both juniors and seniors. The refurbished Whitley Bay athletics track makes it a particularly good base for speed work and structured training.
These Girls Can Run Whitley Bay -- An award-winning ladies' beginner running group based in Whitley Bay, ideal for anyone looking to start running in a supportive environment.
Tyne Bridge Harriers -- One of the biggest running clubs in the region, Tyne Bridge Harriers hold track sessions at Churchill Playing Fields in Whitley Bay alongside their Newcastle base. They welcome all abilities from beginners to competitive runners.
Cycling Routes
Whitley Bay to Tynemouth -- The coastal route south is one of the most scenic short rides in the area. A combination of shared-use paths and quiet roads takes you through Cullercoats and past Longsands Beach to the Priory headland. The route is largely flat, roughly 4km each way, and suitable for all abilities.
Whitley Bay to St Mary's Lighthouse -- Heading north, you can ride to St Mary's Island on a mix of cycle paths and quiet residential streets. The round trip is approximately 6km and makes for a pleasant family ride with the lighthouse as a natural turnaround point.
The Coast and Castles Route (NCN 1) -- Whitley Bay sits on National Cycle Network Route 1, the long-distance Coast and Castles route. From here you can follow the route north through Seaton Sluice and on to Blyth, or south through Tynemouth to the mouth of the Tyne. Much of the route uses dedicated off-road cycle paths.
Inland via the Waggonways -- Former colliery waggonways behind Whitley Bay provide flat, traffic-free paths heading inland towards Rising Sun Country Park and the wider North Tyneside path network. These surfaced routes are excellent for easy cycling and suitable for all bike types.
Cycling Clubs
Rockcliff Wheelers -- A social cycling group based in Whitley Bay that meets at Rockcliff Rugby Club on Lovaine Road. They ride on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, using local cycle paths and waggonways where possible. A friendly, relaxed club with cafe stops built into most rides.
North Tyneside Riders -- A larger club with over 200 members, offering group rides for all abilities from beginners to their racing team. They run training rides on most days of the week and are open to anyone who enjoys riding.
Practical Tips
Wind. The seafront is exposed, and headwinds off the North Sea can be strong. Check the wind direction before heading out -- running or riding north with a tailwind is lovely until you have to turn around.
Surface variety. The promenade and Links paths are mostly tarmac, but the coastal sections towards St Mary's include gravel and short grassy stretches. Trail shoes give better grip in wet weather. For cycling, hybrid or gravel bikes handle the mixed surfaces best, though road bikes are fine on the promenade and main paths.
Facilities. There are public toilets at the seafront near Spanish City and at St Mary's Lighthouse car park. Cafes along the promenade and at Cullercoats are popular refuelling stops with runners and cyclists.
Metro access. Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Metro stations are both within easy walking distance of the seafront, making it simple to combine a run or ride with public transport. Bikes are allowed on the Metro outside peak hours.
Know a great route or club we should feature? Get in touch.