Hadrian’s Wall Path

Arrive in the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne, 3 miles west Wallsend, and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation.

After a hearty breakfast, leave your bags at your accommodation in Newcastle city centre and make the short journey on the Metro to Wallsend (journey time 10 minutes).

Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum in Wallsend marks the official starting point of the trail. The first day is spent walking alongside the River Tyne, and you will pass right along the Newcastle Quayside, underneath numerous bridges including the “blinking eye” Millenium Bridge, and continue west out of the city and up to the hilltop village of Heddon-on-the Wall.

Today you follow the course of Hadrian’s Wall passing through the rolling countryside of Northumberland. Beyond the hamlet of Harlow Hill a real sense of spaciousness begins. The Roman ditch, or Vallum as it is called, is more in evidence than the wall itself.

However, as you approach Chollerford sections of the wall start to appear. The Roman crossing of the River North Tyne was a short distance south-west of the current crossing, itself a handsome five-arched bridge built in 1775.

Today’s walk is memorable and exhilarating as you are right beside the Wall. After Chollerford you enter Northumberland National Park and the scenery gets grander as you gain height. Enjoy your first view of Whin Sill, the rocky ridge with a sharp North Face – Hadrian’s Wall was built along the top of the cliff taking full advantage of the natural defences.

The highlight of the day is Housesteads Roman Fort and the ensuing section of the wall as you cross the crags above Crag Lough. The Vindolanda Fort a couple of miles away is a large and interesting complex and is accessible by Hadrian’s Wall Bus.

Another superb day awaits you. The route continues with a climb over Winshields rugged crags and to the highest point of the trail at 345m – equally as impressive as the previous section as you are rewarded with wonderful views.

It passes the remains of Great Chesters and Magnis Forts, the ruin of Thirlwall Castle and crosses the Cumbria / Northumberland border and on to the pretty village of Gilsland.

Just after Gilsland, the route follows a fantastic section of the wall to the fort of Birdoswald. Continue high above the steep-sided Irthington Gorge, before beginning a gradual descent at the village of Banks. Rich agricultural landscape and parkland replace the moorland as the route drops steadily to the village of Walton.

The route continues undulating across lovely rural countryside, passing Castlesteads House and along the banks of the beautiful River Eden into Carlisle. This is a very interesting city on the Scotland / England border and its history is very much evident with its cathedral, dramatic red-stoned castle and old city walls.

The final leg of your walk is a complete contrast to all that has gone before – initially along the banks of the Eden and then across the pancake flat salt marshes of the Solway Firth. The mountains of the Lake District are visible to the south and Scotland is just across the water to the north. This expansive estuary is internationally renowned as an area of outstanding natural beauty for its thriving bird life and has a peaceful charm of its own.

This section is very occasionally affected by very high tides. The Tourist Information Centre in Carlisle will let you know times when this may be a problem.

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on Hadrian’s Wall Path.