Hadrian's Wall Path: 11-Day Gentle Hike

DAY 1: Arrival in Tynemouth (Newcastle)

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Tynemouth.

DAY 2: Wallsend to Newburn

Distance 19km • Approximate Walking Time 4 - 6 hours • Ascent (↑) 170m

From the best excavated Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall and its recreated Roman Bath the trail takes you along the banks of the river Tyne past the old heartland of the British Empire's shipbuilding industry. After passing through the rejuvenated vibrant city of Newcastle, with its seven famous bridges, you end the day's walking near a pleasant riverside park.

DAY 3: Newburn to Wallhouses

15km • 3 - 5 hours • (↑) 150m

You first follow a former wagonway and indulge in a possible detour to the birthplace of George Stephenson, the Father of all Railways. The trail then leaves the River Tyne and brings you through meadows and pastures along the old Military Road, closely following the earthen defenses on either side of Hadrian’s Wall. After passing through the Roman Fort of Rudchester you soon arrive at Wallhouses.

DAY 4: Wallhouses to Chollerford

17km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 100m

The day starts near the Port Gate, where the main Roman road into the North of Britain used to pass through Hadrian’s Wall. Following the gentle curves of the defensive Roman earthworks south of the Wall the trail brings you to the Heavenfield battle site, where Oswald, king of Northumbria, won a famous victory in 734. The day comes to an exciting conclusion at Chollerford, with its Roman bridge and the fascinating Roman fort of Chesters.

DAY 5: Chollerford to Housesteads

14km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 400m

Through the Northumberland National Park you reach a Roman temple at the Fort of Brocolitia. After passing more castles and turrets you suddenly find yourself walking along some of the most spectacular and best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall, which snake up and down along the top of the Northumberland Crags. You end your day at the superbly preserved Fort at Housesteads.

DAY 6: Housesteads to Greenhead

14km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 400m

Today starts with more exciting sections of the Wall along steep cliffs and the highest point of the walk at Green Slacks. See the 'Robin Hood Tree' at Sycamore Gap and Great Chesters Fort with its original Roman altar before you return to the top of the Crags for some more exciting and well-preserved Wall sections. Imposing Thirlwall castle marks the end of today’s walk.

DAY 7: Greenhead to Lanercost

13km • 3 - 5 hours • (↑) 200m

The Wall guides you to the remains of a Roman bridge across the River Irthing, past a Roman Milecastle and on towards the Fort of Birdoswald, which was inhabited for 2,000 years. From there we follow the Wall through a much gentler landscape and stop at Lanercost Priory, once the capital of England for six months.

DAY 8: Lanercost to Carlisle

20km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 150m

Follow the Wall through fields and old bridleways until you join the River Eden at the charming village of Crosby-on-Eden. You follow the quiet river for a while on your way to the 2,000 year old, historic city of Carlisle. There is much to see in Carlisle, such as the famous castle or the Tully Museum, with its Roman artefacts.

DAY 9: Carlisle to Burgh-by-Sands

12.5km • 3 - 4 hrs • (↑) 45m

You again follow the lovely River Eden through parks and on quiet paths for much of the morning. The trail then brings you along fields and bridleways through a number of pretty villages before you reach Burgh-by-Sands, where King Edward the 1st, ‘the Hammer of the Scots’, died in 1307 near the Solvay coast. 

DAY 10: Burgh-by-Sands to Bowness-on-Solway

12.5km • 3 - 4 hrs • (↑) 5m

The trail follows the route of the Wall in a straight line through the Solvay Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and from there on bridleways and tracks through fields and along the coast to peaceful Bowness-on-Solway, on the Irish Sea, the end of the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

DAY 11: Departure from Bowness-on-Solway

There are regular bus services from Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle and onward to Newcastle, Manchester and London. Full details provided upon booking.