Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall Path was opened in 2003 and proved an immediate success with walkers from both the UK and abroad. The route follows the course of northern Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument, built on the orders of Emperor Hadrianus between AD122 and AD128 to protect the northern extreme of the Roman Empire.

The path crosses the country coast to coast from Wallsend, near Newcastle, through the rolling border countryside of Northumberland, continuing on to the historic city of Carlisle and finally to the flat plains of the Solway Coast.

Hadrian’s Wall Path was the very first National Trail to follow the course of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To ensure that the integrity of the Wall was in no way compromised, an archaeologist was on hand each time a signpost or waymark was driven into the ground. As a consequence, it took ten years to open Hadrian’s Wall to the public. Four years more than it took the 2nd and 6th legions of the Roman Army to build the actual wall. However, anyone who has ever walked the trail will testify, it was well worth all the work.

The most dramatic section of the walk is in the centre, where the landscape is at its most impressive and large stretches of the wall still remain. Here too are some of the best preserved fortresses. It’s easy to imagine how these windswept moors would have looked all those years ago as the Wall, punctuated by forts, milecastles and turrets, snaked its way through the undulating Northumberland countryside. This wilderness is bookended by the bustling City of Newcastle on the east, and on the west the breathtakingly beautiful plains at Bowness on Solway, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a haven for birdwatchers.

With the Romans gone, the wall fell into disrepair and much of the stone became the fabric of the churches, abbeys and priories you see today. The Wall’s legacy lives on in the names of the towns villages along the line of the route; Wallsend, Wallhouses, Walton and even Oldwall being just a few examples.

Despite a few bumps and hollows, the path itself is considered one of the easier national trails, a route where you can spend a week on well-trodden paths marvelling at the fascinating remains and the stunning scenery around you.

Our Holidays

We have a range of walking holidays along Hadrian’s Wall, from a 3 day short break on the most dramatic, central section of the wall between Humshaugh and Gilsland, to a 6 to 10 day walk over the entire length of the National Trail.

Please bear in mind that the distances each day are trail distances only. They do not take into account walking to your accommodation. On some days the accommodation might be on or close to the trail but on other days you may need to walk one or two miles to get to your overnight stop.

Which Way to Walk the Wall?
We are happy to arrange the walk in either direction. Most people walk from east to west, as described here. This is the way the official guidebook describes the route, but another guidebook offers a description in either direction. Some people prefer starting in the west, as this is the direction of the prevailing wind. However, we often get easterly winds as well, and we think it’s good to get the urban bit around Newcastle out of the way early. If you’d like to start in the west, please make a note in the comments section on the booking form.

Read our blog What to see at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall