Hadrian’s Wall Walk

Best walking holiday route in England –  Hadrian’s wall walk

Exploring Great Britain by foot provides a fascinating experience that opens the doors to stunning scenery, and vibrant cultures and above all instils a sense of confidence and accomplishment.

In addition, walking paves the way to get off the beaten path and see some of the authentic and historical sites of England, which otherwise would not be possible by any other mode of travel.

From Wallsend to Bowness on Solway, in northern England, lies Britain’s biggest Roman archaeological fortification and a UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the Roman Wall or better still, the Hadrian’s Wall.

Fortunately, some central sections of this impressive pile of stones still stand and have become a part of one of the most rewarding long-distance walks in England, as they pass through staggering landscapes, dipping and delving for 82 miles across the Northumberland countryside.

Why walk the wall?

This historic hike attracts hikers from all over the world, exploring some fascinating ruins and fortified gateways(one at each Roman mile-0.95 miles) along the way, apart from seeing the most dramatic countryside in England.

Moreover, because of the flat and mostly even surface, the Hadrian’s Wall walk can be traversed by people of all abilities and ages. You need to plan to cover the entire stretch, as there are sections that can be covered in even three days.

(However, some people prefer walking from west to east, and if that is the case it is required to mention it in the comments section at the time of filling up the booking form).

 Essential information

Address: Brampton, CA 7DD, UK

Duration:  4-11 nights

Length: 82 miles

Shortest break: 26 miles (Humshaugh-Gilsland)

Grade: Easy to moderate 

Terrain: Varied. Urban/moorland/fields/coastal plains

Elevation: Rolling countryside with gentle ups and downs

Way marking:  Excellent. Well defined paths.

                                 
Best direction to walk the Hadrian’s Wall

While the Hadrian’s Wall path can be walked from either side, a common question asked is which is the best direction. The answer to this is since the most popular route follows the construction of the wall from east to west, this is the direction with most advantages as the open countryside makes the start of the walk that much easy.

Popular routes and itineraries

The whole Hadrian’s Wall Walk: The entire stretch of the Hadrian’s Wall Path from Newcastle to Bowness on Solway takes 10 days to cover the 93 miles stretch and is designed for those who want to walk shorter distances each day.

Serious walkers can cover the whole route in six days, with a couple of longer days in the scenic middle section. That said, the most popular options are the 7 or 8 days itineraries.

The route is as under: Wallsend to Newburn/Newburn to Humshaugh/ Humshaugh to Twice Brewed/ Twice Brewed to Gilsland/Gilsland to Carlisle/Carlisle to Bowness on Solway.

(Additional days can be considered at Twice Brewed and Carlisle to spend time at the Tullie House Museum which houses a lot of Roman artefacts and is well worth a visit)

Corbridge to Bowness on Solway: If you have no intention of walking the whole route, another good option that provides a long walk as well as covers the important sections is to begin at Corbridge. From here you can complete the 65 miles trip in 5-7 days, though the five day option should be undertaken by walkers with reasonable fitness levels.

Corbridge to Carlisle: This section, like the one above, excludes the urban areas around Newcastle at ends at Carlisle as there is not much left of the wall beyond this point. This dog-friendly part can be covered in 4-6 days, again depending upon the individual’s fitness levels. However, if you want to take it easy and look around, the longer options would be more suitable.

Corbridge to Brampton: This is a popular 4 day walking holiday for those who have limited time or want to concentrate more on the dramatic sections of this 39 miles walk. Incidentally, this is also the best part of the long route starting from Corbridge over the Whin Sill escarpment as well as the best preserved section of the wall. Here you will get ample time to explore the Roman ruins and enjoy the walk.

Corbridge to Gilsland:  Another part of this historical route that is suited to those walkers with limited time. This short 29 miles stretch can be covered in three days beginning from the pleasant market town of Corbridge on the banks of the South Tyne river. As you walk past the Port Gate through the countryside, you will pass mile castles and turrets leading to the quaint villages past Twice Brewed and finally to the pretty village of Gilsland. Do not forget to explore the Roman army museum enroute.

Humshaugh to Gilsland: This is the shortest suggested route of 26 miles, but still takes three days to walk as it focuses more on the sections where the wall is most intact. Additionally, the landscapes here are most spectacular with numerous forts, milecastles and Roman ruins to explore. The route begins at Humshaugh, then goes to Grinding, back to Humshaugh for the night and then to Twice Brewed before reaching Gilsland.

Best stretches of the Wall

The best stretches on the Hadrian’s Wall Walk are in the centre of the country. The longest stretch is between Birdoswald Roman Fort and Sycamore Gap. Some particularly scenic sections can be found near Cawfields and Steel Rig in the Northumberland National Park.

Accommodation enroute 

The Hadrian’s Wall walk has a great variety of accommodation which includes small country hotels, farm houses, guest houses, BnB facilities and Victorian town houses. Hosts are extremely friendly and all the accommodation is situated close to the main trail. Single rooms are limited on the route and if required should be informed well in advance.

Getting there

All walking holidays starting from Wallsend, typically begin by spending the preceding night at Tynemouth. For those coming by air, Newcastle International Airport has its own metro station with connections to Newcastle Central Station. Change at Monument for Tynemouth. The journey time is approximately twenty minutes. 

You can also travel to the Hadrian’s Wall Country by train with connections from Newcastle and Carlisle stations to Tyne Valley Railway. The daily service links stations throughout England, Scotland and Wales 

If you are coming by car, follow the A69 which runs parallel to the Hadrian’s Wall for about five miles between Newcastle and Carlisle.

Those coming from Sweden, Holland, Germany or Denmark can make their journey to this place by ferry.