9-Day Moderate Hike

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

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.

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 sites of two Roman Forts you soon arrive at the Port Gate, where the main Roman road into the North of Britain used to pass through Hadrian’s Wall.

Turrets and milecastles soon become part of the landscape as you follow the gentle curves of the defensive Roman earthworks. The trail passes Heavenfield battle site, where Oswald, king of Northumbria, won a famous victory in 734. The day comes to an exciting conclusion at the fascinating Roman fort of Chesters.

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 with its original Roman altar you return to the top of the Crags for some more exciting and well-preserved Wall sections. Soon after passing Thirlwall castle you come to the village of Gilsland, your stop for today.

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 pass Lanercost Priory, once the capital of England for six months.

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.

There are regular train and bus services from Carlisle to Newcastle, Manchester and London. Full details provided upon booking.