Hiking Hadrian’s Wall Path: Your 2025 Essential Guide
Hadrian’s Wall Path stretches 84 miles across northern England, offering walkers the chance to follow in the footsteps of the Romans through breathtaking landscapes and fascinating historic sites.
Our Operations & Product Manager, Daisy, has created a detailed guide answering everything you need to know about walking this legendary trail – helping you plan an unforgettable journey along one of Britain’s most iconic routes.
- Who was Hadrian, and what is the wall?
- When is the best time of year to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path?
- Is there public transport along the route?
- Where are the best places to add an additional day?
- How long does it take to walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
- What’s the toughest section?
- What are the best bits?
- Do I need to pre-book accommodation?
- Is there a bag transfer service on the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
- Can I walk it solo?
- How do I get to the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
- Is the trail easy to follow?
- Can I bring my dog?
- Can I walk it in reverse?
- What footwear should I bring?
- How can I book a walking holiday on the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Who was Hadrian, and what is the Wall?
Hadrian was a Roman emperor in the 2nd century AD, and he is particularly renowned for building Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive fortification stretching from coast to coast across the north of England (then known as the Roman province of Britannia).
The wall took six years and 15,000 men to build! It originally marked the border between Roman Britannia and the unconquered land of Caledonia to the north. Much of the original wall can still be seen today, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
When is the best time of year to walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
We recommend walking Hadrian’s Wall Path between April and October, as this is the season when luggage transfers are available along the trail. This also offers the best chance of good weather and enough daylight hours to complete the trail – although good weather in the north of England is never guaranteed!
Spring is a particularly lovely time to walk this route, as wildflowers brighten the landscape. Much of the trail passes through rolling farmland, and you may find yourself accompanied by adorable lambs along the way.
Hadrian’s Wall Path is a popular route and does get busy during the summer months. If you would rather avoid busier periods, reach out to one of our experienced Travel Specialists, who can provide an up-to-date evaluation of the best time to walk the trail.
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Is there public transport along the route?
The main public transport service available is the Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus AD122, which travels from Hexham to Haltwhistle and stops at many of the best sightseeing spots and overnight locations.
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Where are the best places to add an additional day?
With so many fantastic things to see in Hadrian’s Wall country, we definitely recommend factoring an additional day or two into your itinerary. Here are our suggestions for the best places to spend a day exploring:
Newcastle
The city of Newcastle is the exciting hub of the North East, packed with restaurants, bars, and sightseeing opportunities. We recommend starting your day with a visit to Newcastle Castle, a Norman stronghold steeped in history with stunning views over the city.
You could spend the afternoon at Segedunum Roman Fort in the neighbourhood of Wallsend, exploring the museum and learning about the Roman history of Tyneside. Finish your day with an evening stroll along the lively Quayside, home to a variety of bars and restaurants.
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Chollerford / Humshaugh
The neighbouring villages of Chollerford and Humshaugh sit on the River Tyne and are home to Chesters Roman Fort. Here you’ll find one of the best-preserved Roman bathhouses, with tranquil countryside views. We recommend spending plenty of time exploring, as there’s endless information to soak up in their museum of Roman artefacts. There’s a lovely tearoom on-site for refreshments, or you could bring a picnic to enjoy by the river.
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Once Brewed
Roughly halfway along the trail is the small settlement of Once Brewed, the crossing point of Hadrian’s Wall Path and the Pennine Way (another of Britain’s most famous long-distance walking trails). From here, you’re within easy reach of Vindolanda, Housesteads Roman Fort, and The Sill Discovery Centre, so you can have a full day of historical and archaeological exploring.
Sadly, one of the most iconic spots on the trail – Sycamore Gap – was lost in 2023 when the beloved tree was felled. While the landscape has changed, the location remains a poignant and beautiful part of Northumberland National Park. It’s still worth taking a moment to pause here and reflect on the enduring history of the Wall and the people who have walked these paths over the centuries.
Carlisle
For history fans, Carlisle is an ideal destination for an additional day. Its beautiful cathedral has been standing for 900 years, and its combination of Norman and Gothic architectural styles makes it truly unique. You could stop in at the nearby Tullie House Art Museum and Gallery, which houses a wide range of exhibitions and collections covering fine art, human history, and natural sciences.
We also recommend spending a couple of hours exploring Carlisle Castle, where the turbulent past of this historic border city comes to life. Having been the site of many conflicts between Scotland and England over the centuries, it’s a rare example of a medieval castle that has been continuously occupied since its construction almost 1,000 years ago.
How long does it take to walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
At Absolute Escapes, we offer four itineraries ranging from 5 to 8 days, so there’s a pace to suit everyone.
Our most popular itinerary, HWP3, covers the route in 7 days / 8 nights, with an average daily mileage of 12 miles.
If you don’t see an itinerary on our website that suits you, please get in touch. We’d be delighted to tailor an itinerary to suit your requirements and ability.
What’s the toughest section?
Overall, we rate Hadrian’s Wall Path as easy to moderate in difficulty. It’s a well-trodden path underfoot, but there are some steep undulating sections of path between Sewingshields Crags and Greenhead.
Top tip: Take a pair of walking poles to lessen the impact on your knees on these steep hilly sections. You’ll be grateful by the final day!
What are the best bits?
The section of Hadrian’s Wall Path from Chollerford to Birdoswald (most of which sits within Northumberland National Park) is often considered the highlight of the walk. Historical sites are frequently scattered along the best-preserved stretches of the wall. On a clear day, you are rewarded with expansive views of the hilly crags ahead of you, while being surrounded by rolling pastoral countryside.
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Do I need to pre-book accommodation?
Given that the trail is so popular and some of the villages along the way are quite rural, we certainly recommend pre-booking accommodation for your Hadrian’s Wall Path holiday. Absolute Escapes organise accommodation in hand-picked B&Bs, guest houses and hotels located as close to the trail as possible.
Is there a bag transfer service on the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Yes! Given that it’s such a well-established National Trail, various companies provide bag transfer services along Hadrian’s Wall Path between April and October. This means all you need to do is lace up your boots, pack up your lunch and set off, and your luggage will be waiting for you at your next destination! Absolute Escapes are happy to add this service to your package.
Can I walk it solo?
You can absolutely take on Hadrian’s Wall Path solo! The restorative power of embarking on a solo long-distance hike is undeniable, allowing time for reflection and empowerment after completing such a rewarding achievement.
Hadrian’s Wall Path is easy to follow, and there are usually plenty of other walkers along the way, so we’re sure you’ll feel safe and secure walking the trail solo. If you’re hoping to socialise and meet new people, you’ll get the chance to chat with other walkers at your accommodation and evening stops.
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How do I get to the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
One of the advantages of Hadrian’s Wall Path is its easy access. If you’re beginning your walk at Wallsend, Newcastle Airport has plenty of international connections. Newcastle is also easily accessible by train, with regular services north to Edinburgh and south to London.
When you finish your walk in Bowness-on-Solway, you can take a local bus or taxi to Carlisle (approximately 15.5 miles). Carlisle has a large railway station with trains north towards Glasgow and south towards London. There are also frequent rail connections to return to Newcastle.
Is the trail easy to follow?
Hadrian’s Wall Path is very well maintained, and there are plenty of signposts and waymarkers to keep you on track. As part of your Absolute Escapes package, we will also provide a Cicerone Guidebook & Map bundle, so you can rest assured you’ll never be lost.
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Can I bring my dog?
The Hadrian’s Wall Path poses a couple of challenges if you’re looking to bring your canine companion. There are plenty of tall stiles which aren’t very well adapted for large dogs, and lots of fields which have livestock grazing. With that in mind, there are sections where your dog will need to be on a lead.
Currently, Absolute Escapes don’t offer a dog-friendly package for the Hadrian’s Wall Path due to a lack of suitable B&B accommodation.
Can I walk it in reverse?
Hadrian’s Wall Path can be walked in both directions and each year, plenty of walkers complete the walk in either direction. At Absolute Escapes, we tend to prioritise an East-to-West itinerary (the way the wall was originally built), but we are happy to offer reverse itineraries too.
What footwear should I bring?
The terrain of the Hadrian’s Wall Path varies from mile to mile. There are some areas (particularly the crags on either side of Once Brewed) where there are steep hilly sections of footpath, for which we would recommend good quality walking boots. These will provide plenty of ankle support as well as keep your feet warm and dry in case of showers.
That being said, plenty of the route traverses rolling fields and farm tracks, along with short sections of pavement or road as you approach the larger settlements. For these sections, softer trainers may be more comfortable.
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How can I book a walking holiday on the Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Hadrian’s Wall Path remains one of the most rewarding long-distance trails in the UK, offering a rich blend of history, stunning landscapes, and welcoming hospitality. If you’d like to discover this unmissable walk for yourself, take a look at the itinerary options on our website and get in touch – our expert team would love to make this a reality for you.
We’ve been arranging Hadrian’s Wall Path holidays since 2008, and it remains one of our most popular trails. Don’t believe us? Take it from our clients.
- “Thanks to Absolute Escapes for organising everything and the accommodation was first class we highly recommend this walk for its historical significance and its stunning scenery.” – Paddy Kennedy, Co. Donegal, Ireland
- “Thank you so much for the excellent organization and bookings you did for us! We enjoyed the hike and especially the superb accommodation you prepared.” – Juerg Horni, Wabern, Switzerland
- “We had an excellent time walking Hadrian’s Wall and were very pleased with the service that we received.” – Oliver Davies, Lancashire, England
Daisy Andrews
P.S. If Hadrian’s Wall has caught your eye but you’re not sure that a walking holiday is your cup of tea, we offer a fantastic self-drive tour of Hadrian’s Wall & Northumberland too.
Content updated on 14th February 2025
