8-Day / 7-Night Challenging 👣

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Bowness-on-Solway.

The Hadrian’s Wall Path starts (or ends) in Bowness-on Solway, a small, peaceful village on the Irish Sea. From here, the trail follows bridleways and tracks along the coast and through farmland. After crossing the Solvay Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you come to the village of Burgh-by-Sands, where the English King Edward I, ‘the Hammer of the Scots’, died in 1307. Continue past a number of pretty villages and then follow the lovely River Eden on quiet paths 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.

Today starts with a pleasant walk along the quiet River Eden, through parks, tracks and meadows. From there, you pass pretty villages and follow field paths through farmland in a green, gently rolling landscape. You come across first visible signs of Roman earthworks followed by increasing evidence of Roman archaeology, including Wall sections and Roman Milecastles. You can visit the Roman Fort of Birdoswald, inhabited for 2,000 years, where you find the longest surviving section of the Wall, before passing more Wall, a Roman Milecastle and the remains of a Roman bridge across the River Irthing. as well as an optional visit to the 12th century Priory of Lanercost.

A varied hike with a lot of classic Hadrian’s Wall scenery. You pass the ruins of imposing Thirlwall Castle and the fascinating Roman Army Museum before the route climbs up along the rocky ‘crags’ where you encounter some well-preserved Wall sections. At Great Chesters Fort, you can leave an offering to Jupiter on an original Roman altar. Exciting sections of the Wall lead past high cliffs to the highest point of the walk at Green Slacks and on to the superbly preserved Roman fort at Housesteads.

The day starts with more classic Hadrian’s Wall scenery as you follow the last of the crags. After this, the trail leads through open moorland and pastures to a Roman temple and fort. After a visit to the northernmost edge of the Roman Empire at Limestone Corner, you have a chance to visit the excavated fort at Chesters. Pass the site of an early medieval battle before the stone Wall disappears underneath the road. Once you leave the line of the Wall, pass two medieval castles on your way into Corbridge, where you can see the remains of a Roman garrison town.

After returning to the Wall, you pass through the un-excavated Roman fort of Onnum on your way to the Robin Hood Inn. Through a rolling countryside of meadows and pastures, the trail follows the old Military Road (now the B6318) and the earthen defences on either side of Hadrian’s Wall. The Whittle Dene Reservoirs and Nature Reserve may give an opportunity for some bird-watching before you arrive at the aptly named Heddon-on-the-Wall, where you find one of the last preserved sections of the Wall. The route now turns south towards the River Tyne and then follows a former wagonway, close to the birthplace of George Stephenson, the Father of all Railways.

Today you follow the historical River Tyne, first through a pleasant riverside park and then through the rejuvenated vibrant city of Newcastle, with its seven famous bridges. From the city centre, the trail takes you along the banks of the river past the old heartland of the British Empire’s shipbuilding industry. The end (or start) of Hadrian’s Wall Path is found at Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum in Wallsend, the best-excavated Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall and its recreated Roman Bath.

There are regular bus & train services from Newcastle. Full details provided upon booking.