Hadrian's Wall Path: 8-Day Challenging 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 Heddon-on-the-Wall

Distance 23km • Approximate Walking Time 5-7 hours • Ascent (↑) 250m

From the best excavated Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall follow the River Tyne past the old heartland of the British Empire's shipbuilding industry. After passing through the rejuvenated vibrant city of Newcastle, you follow a former wagonway before leaving the River Tyne and meeting the Wall again at the village of Heddon-on-the-Wall.

DAY 3: Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford

25km • 5 - 7 hours • (↑) 170m

Follow the old Military Road and the earthen defenses on either side of Hadrian’s Wall past the Roman Fort of Rudchester and the Port Gate, where the main Roman road into the North of Britain used to pass through Hadrian’s Wall. You pass the Heavenfield battle site, where Oswald, king of Northumbria, won a famous victory in 734, before arriving at Chollerford, with the fascinating Roman fort of Chesters.

DAY 4: Chollerford to Once Brewed

21km • 5 - 7 hours • (↑) 450m

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. Make sure to visit the superbly preserved Fort at Housesteads.

DAY 5: Once Brewed to Lanercost

25km • 6 - 8 hours • (↑) 550m

Today you start with an exciting bit of walking to the highest point of the walk at Green Slacks. After visiting the 'Robin Hood Tree' at Sycamore Gap and Great Chesters Fort the Wall guides you towards the Fort of Birdoswald, which was inhabited for 2,000 years. A much gentler landscape brings you to Lanercost Priory, once the capital of England for six months.

DAY 6: 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 7: Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway

25km • 5 - 7 hours • (↑) 50m

Fields and bridleways bring you 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. The trail follows the route of the Wall through the Solvay Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on towards peaceful Bowness-on-Solway, on the Irish Sea, the end of the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

DAY 8: 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.