Hadrian’s Wall Path – 7 nights / 6 days walking

About this trail

Walking east to west, the route starts at the the Roman fort (and now museum) of Segedunum in Newcastle.  You then walk alongside the River Tyne with its refurbished quayside, Millennium Bridge and Baltic Arts Centre, before the route opens out into lush countryside. Evidence of the wall gradually increases from Heddon-on-the-Wall onwards.

Journeying westwards through the dramatic scenery of Northumberland and Cumbria, you walk right alongside well preserved sections of the wall and pass the famous Roman forts of Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda. All are open to the public and offer opportunities to stop and look around at length. It soon becomes apparent just how mighty and impressive these structures must have been, and indeed still are.

The scenery is often wild and dramatic in the central section of the route where it follows the rugged escarpment on the edge of which the wall was built. Further west, as you approach Carlisle and the River Eden valley, the scenery becomes more gentle and pastoral. The last section takes you to Bowness on the Solway Estuary where the silence is broken only by the wind or by birds calling as they circle over the coast. On a clear day the hills of southern Scotland are visible across the water.

Terrain and navigation

The Hadrian’s Wall Path is a popular route with a clearly defined path and regular waymarking. Most people choose to walk it from east to west because they like the idea of leaving urban Newcastle and walking out into the countryside, but we can organise it starting from the west if you prefer.

Walking from the east at Wallsend, the first 13 miles are flat and consist of a paved or hard gravel walking surface. Just before Wylam the route leaves the banks of the River Tyne and heads up into the fields and gentle countryside for the next 20 miles or so. Walking here is easy underfoot and the inclines are gentle.

In the central section from Sewing Shields to Greenhead the path becomes more rugged and irregular underfoot and there are a few short, steep inclines, though nothing that a reasonably fit and agile walker cannot manage. West of Greenhead the route reverts to more rolling countryside and gradually flattens out as you approach Carlisle. From Carlisle onwards the route is flat and follows a mixture of public footpaths and small country roads as it comes to an end alongside the banks of the Solway Firth estuary.

Route elevation

Highest point: 324 metres
Total ascent / descent: 1789 metres / 1769 metres

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the trail.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Newcastle

Whether Newcastle is at the start of your walk or at the end, it’s a great city well worth spending some extra time in. It is famed for its lively nightlife and has plenty of cultural and historical treasures to explore such as the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Tynemouth Priory and Newcastle castle.

Chollerford

The village of Chollerford is right next to the excellent Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. Guided tours of the fort provide a fascinating glimpse into life in this northern outpost of the Roman Empire and the museum holds many exquisite artefacts.

Once Brewed

Once Brewed is just a hamlet of a few houses and a pub, but it is ideal as a location from which to explore the finest archaeological sites on the walk and soak up the beautiful scenery of the area. The magnificent remains of the Roman frontier fort at Housesteads are nearby, as is the Vindolanda garrison fort and museum.  The Roman Army Museum is also a couple of miles west at Cawfields. Between April and October all of these sites are served by a regular bus service that stops at Once Brewed.

Carlisle

Known as the Border City, Carlisle has plenty to offer for an extra day, including the Tullie House Museum, the imposing castle and the 12th century cathedral.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: If starting on the east coast, Newcastle Airport is ideal. For those starting in the west, Carlisle does have a small airport with some domestic and European flights.  Larger airports, including for inter-continental flights, are located at Glasgow and Manchester.

By Rail: There are a mainline train stations at Newcastle and Carlisle, with services from all parts of the UK. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By Bus: Regular bus and coach services serve Newcastle and Carlisle. For those starting their walk in Bowness on Solway, there are buses from Carlisle to Bowness. You can find details on getting to Bowness using Google Map. Click on “directions” in the left hand tab and enter your starting point.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.