Hadrian's Wall - 8 Days

The walk starts in Bowness-on-Solway and finishes in Newcastle, crossing the north of England from west to east.

The most practical way to reach Bowness-on-Solway is by train to Carlisle, from where a taxi takes around 20 minutes. A local bus service from Carlisle Bus Station also runs four times daily, though it does not operate on Sundays. Newcastle and Carlisle are both well connected by rail to London and other major UK cities. Always purchase your train ticket before boarding in the UK.

The walk ends in Newcastle, which has excellent onward rail connections to London and other major cities, as well as Newcastle Airport (NCL) for onward flights.

This walk is available from 1 April to 31 October, with no fixed start days. Spring brings wildflowers and the lambing season to the Northumberland countryside; waterproofs are essential as rainfall can be heavy. Summer offers the most reliable conditions, with temperatures around 18°C and long daylight hours, though July and August are the busiest months. Autumn is many walkers' favourite season, with golden foliage and quieter trails; note that some accommodation providers begin closing in late October. Pack waterproofs and layers whatever the month. The weather along Hadrian's Wall can change several times in a single day.

This walk is graded moderate, with several days stepping up to moderate to challenging. Daily walks reach up to 24 kilometres, with generally easy-going terrain underfoot. Some sections include ascents, rocky trails, and loose surfaces, so sturdy walking boots with reliable grip are essential. Trails are well-defined and well-waymarked throughout.

An exercise regime of two to three times per week, in addition to your usual walks, is recommended in preparation.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

Walk pack free while we take care of the rest. Your main luggage is transferred ahead to each night's stop, so you're carrying only a daypack with what you need for the trail: water, snacks, a map and a rain jacket. On the stretches where the best accommodation sits just off the trail itself, a short taxi transfer bridges the gap between the track and your bed for the night, at your own expense. It's a small trade for staying somewhere with real character rather than settling for whatever happens to sit directly on the route.