Hadrian's Wall
United Kingdom

Hadrian's Wall

Walk the length of one of the ancient world's great engineering feats, following Hadrian's Wall coast to coast across northern England through Northumberland's rocky ridges and rolling border countryside.


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Overview

Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD to mark the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, the wall stretches 84 miles from Wallsend on the River Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway on the Irish Sea. Today the Hadrian's Wall Path is a UNESCO World Heritage National Trail and one of Britain's most historically rich long-distance walks.

The route passes through a varied and rewarding landscape. The outskirts of Newcastle soon give way to the open countryside of Northumberland before the trail climbs onto the dramatic Whin Sill escarpment, where some of the best-preserved stretches of Hadrian’s Wall still trace the ridgeline above sweeping moorland views. The central section, between Chollerford and Birdoswald, is a particular highlight, with the remarkably well-preserved forts of Housesteads, Chesters and Vindolanda offering a vivid insight into life on Rome’s northern frontier nearly two thousand years ago.

The walking itself is relatively gentle, with the highest point just 345 metres above sea level, making this an accessible and thoroughly rewarding coast to coast crossing.

Available Walks

Hadrian's Wall - 8 Days
Self-Guided

Hadrian's Wall - 8 Days

Duration8 days
Walking Grade
From$1,995
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The Hadrian's Wall experience

Wonder
Walk the length of the largest ancient monument in Britain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in AD 122
Visit Housesteads Roman Fort, the best-preserved fort on the Wall, dramatically perched on the Whin Sill cliffs
Hadrian's Wall was Rome's frontier for nearly 300 years, stretching 73 miles from coast to coast
Wellness
Walk 73 miles from the Solway coast to the North Sea through Northumberland's wild and rolling countryside
Pass the iconic Sycamore Gap and climb Winshields Crags, the highest point on the entire Wall at 345 metres
Views stretch north into Scotland and south toward the Pennine Hills on clear days along the ridge
Nature
Ancient milestones, turrets, and garrison towns tell the story of life on Rome's northernmost frontier
Walk through Northumberland National Park, one of England's most sparsely populated and unspoiled landscapes
Northumberland's open skies and minimal light pollution make it one of England's great stargazing destinations
Coming soon
Local recommendations are coming soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The walk runs from March through November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots — quieter trails, beautiful scenery and mild temperatures. Summer (June to August) offers the best weather but brings crowds, particularly in July and August. Come prepared for rain whenever you travel — this is England.

The walk starts in Bowness-on-Solway. The easiest way is to take a train to Carlisle and then a taxi out to Bowness-on-Solway. There is also a bus service from Carlisle Bus Station running four times daily, though not on Sundays. The walk finishes in Wallsend, Newcastle, which has excellent train connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you walk with just a daypack. On four days of the walk, the best available accommodation sits just off the trail — on those days a short taxi of 3 to 5km gets you between the trail and your lodgings. These taxi costs are not included and are at your own expense.

Seven nights in a handpicked mix of B&Bs, guesthouses and country hotels, all with ensuite rooms. The character varies nicely — a family-run pub in the market town of Brampton, a hotel overlooking the North Tyne River with views of a Roman bridge, and the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle to finish. Breakfast is included every morning. Accommodation on the Hadrian's Wall trail books out fast, so locking in your dates early is strongly recommended.

A comfortable daypack with your walk notes, a map, a waterproof jacket, warm layers, sun protection and two to three litres of water. The British weather is famously unpredictable — waterproof boots and a reliable rain jacket are non-negotiable regardless of the season.

The walk is graded moderate, with some days pushing into moderate-to-challenging. Most days cover 20 to 26km, so a solid base of regular walking is important. Two to three sessions a week in the lead-up will make a real difference — the goal is to make covering 24km on consecutive days feel comfortable.

Breakfast is included every morning. Lunch and dinner are not included and are at your own expense. The villages and towns along the route have pubs and cafes, and your hosts are well-placed to point you in the right direction. Let the team know about any allergies or intolerances at booking so hosts can be briefed ahead of your arrival.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, trip cancellation, luggage loss and medical evacuation. Never pack your passport in your main luggage.

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