English

  • Hadrian’s Wall Path (East to West)

Why go walking on Hadrian's Wall Path (East to West)?

  • Walk in the 'original direction' of the Hadrian's Wall Path, as you leave behind the big city of Newcastle and head into the open countryside, before finishing in the quiet village of Bowness-on-Solway at the Solway estuary.
  • Move into the past with every step you take on this 135km long National Trail that follows the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall, the best preserved Roman frontier in the world.
  • Trace 2,000 years of history across the beautiful border country between Scotland and England while exploring Roman turrets, castles & forts.
  • Follow the Wall from the modern, busy cityscape of Newcastle Upon Tyne through the barren, blustery heights of Highshields Crags to the green pastoral scenes of the Eden valley.
  • Connect with the life of the men who built and guarded this symbol of Roman Britain almost 2,000 years ago.

What's Included:

  • Top-Choice Accommodation
  • Detailed Itinerary, Maps & GPS Tracks
  • Baggage Transfer
  • Insider Tips
  • 24/7 Support
  • Access your tour details & documents on the go with your designated Hillwalk Tours account

What's Excluded:

  • Travel to and from tour start and end points
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Hiking equipment

Hadrian’s Wall Path (East to West)

Hadrian’s Wall Path is a long distance National Trail in the north of England. It runs for 135km (84 miles), from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast, and it became the 15th National Trail in 2003. With its well-maintained paths and few climbs, Hadrian’s Wall Path is often considered to be the easiest National Trail in the UK.

For much of its length, the trail follows close to the remains of Hadrian’s Wall, the defensive wall built by the Romans on the northern border of their empire in 122AD, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s history every step of the way as you pass fine examples of Roman settlements and forts together with cosy pubs, bustling market towns and great views too.

Most of the trail runs through remote countryside and small villages but there are sections that pass through the cities and suburbs of Newcastle and Carlisle. The section between Chollerford and Lanercost/Newtown is the highest and ‘wildest’ part of the path; it is also where the Wall is most visible, and includes several important Roman forts (Chesters, Housesteads, Vindolanda, Roman Army Museum, Birdoswald).

The Hadrian’s Wall Path can be hiked both from East to West (hiking towards Bowness-on-Solway) or West to East (hiking towards Newcastle). Click here for more information about hiking the trail in the two different directions. If you would prefer to hike the Hadrian’s Wall Path in a West to East direction, then you can find these tours here .

See what it’s like to hike Hadrian’s Wall Path through the lens of Amandine and Sebastien who walked the trail with Hillwalk Tours and made this exhilarating video of their experience:

Choose Your Hike

Prices / what's included, accommodation, extra days/activities, travel info, why choose hillwalk tours, more reading.

We offer different tour grading levels depending on the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require

Gentle Hikes

Our Gentle hiking tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind. People for whom taking photos, meeting the locals and enjoying a long lunch are as important as the hike itself.

These tours spend more time in the most interesting central sections of Hadrian's Wall and give you a chance to explore the Wall and other remains of Roman Britain.

Look out for the 👣 symbol: this itinerary covers the entire Hadrian's Wall Path from Wallsend (Newcastle) to Bowness-on-Solway.

Slow Adventures: Our 'Slow Adventure' hiking tours of the Hadrian's Wall Path focus on the most exciting central section and cover less daily distance than our standard Gentle itineraries. They are designed to provide hikers with a more immersive and relaxed experience while exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. This type of tour is perfect for those who prefer a slower pace, allowing them more time to enjoy and explore the archaeology and attractions along the central section of Hadrian's Wall.

Average Hiking Distance: 14.5-16km (9-10 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 4-5 hours per day

Moderate Hikes

Our Moderate hiking tours will suit people who are used to regular exercise. Hikers will appreciate the chance to cover plenty of ground each day without going beyond their limits.

These itineraries still allow you time to enjoy the Roman archaeology along the route. If you think you require additional time to visit the attractions please consider adding extra days to your tour.

Average Hiking Distance: 16-18km (10-11 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 4-6 hours per day

Challenging Hikes

Are you the type of hiker who sets off in the morning and doesn’t stop until they reach their destination? If the answer is yes, then our Challenging hiking tours will be just right for you.

However, if you think you require additional time to visit the attractions along the route please consider adding extra days to your tour.

Average Hiking Distance: 22-23km (13.5-14.5 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-8 hours per day

It’s more common to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path starting from Newcastle and heading west. Many walkers feel that it is ‘more natural’ to walk out of a big city into the open country, and it also makes getting to the start of the walk easier due to the better transport connections to Newcastle. Furthermore, the scenery improves the further west you go – up to a point – and the turrets and milecastles are also numbered from east to west as that is the direction in which the Romans built the Wall.

Departing from Newcastle, near the North Sea, the trail follows mostly railway tracks and footpaths to Newburn. From here, it follows river-side tracks for a small while, before heading away from the river to Heddon-on-the Wall. The route then follows the old Military Road, built on top of the Wall, through a pastoral landscape.

More and more remains of Hadrian’s Wall and its forts, towers and castles become visible as the trail follows the line of the Wall west. The route soon passes the old Roman Portgate, near Corbridge, and then leads on to Chollerford with its Roman Fort of Chesters. From here the trail soon rises to follow the tops of the Northumberland Crags with better-preserved Roman remains.

From Housesteads, it moves on to Once Brewed and then to the lovely village of Gilsland. The trail follows the Wall through a more level landscape via Newtown to the ancient city of Carlisle. Following the River Eden and then moving through the flat landscape along the Solway Firth the route soon reaches Bowness-on-Solway on the Irish Sea.

Terrain Overview

The walking on this trail is relatively easy along footpaths, cycle lanes, well-maintained paths and tracks through fields and on good paths along the top of the Northumberland Crags. Though sometimes muddy in places, there is very little rugged or very wet ground.

There are some minor climbs and a little undulating terrain in the central section but for much of its length the path is more or less flat. The total aggregate ascent is approximately 2,000m over the entire route and the highest point is just 345 metres above sea level.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile Hadrians Wall Path

Terrain by Stages

Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall: A river-walk on cycle lanes and footpaths through the vibrant city of Newcastle followed by a former ‘Waggonway’ track and some minor roads.

Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford: This section is almost entirely through open countryside on grassy paths, alongside the B6318 ‘Military Road’, which was built on top of the Wall.

Chollerford to Once Brewed: Start out on paths alongside a road, followed by off-road paths which run parallel to the Wall. The trail then starts climbing up to the ‘crags’ (hills) and follows a more undulating route with a number of ascents and descents.

Once Brewed to Lanercost: Initially undulating, with a number of ascents and descents along the crags, followed by sections across open countryside on grassy paths with the Wall often visible.

Lanercost to Carlisle: On this leg, the path returns to more level farmland and at a certain point runs alongside the River Eden and passes through a pleasant park. Mostly paths, some asphalt.

Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway: Initially, the trail runs alongside the River Eden on a footpath, then continues on tracks through level farmland. Later, a footpath runs alongside the flat marshes of the Solway Firth (coastal waters).

What’s Included in the Price?

  • Official Hadrian’s Wall Passports for those walking the entire trail ( Note: The stamps for these passports can only be collected from Easter onwards )
  • Stay in our friendly, family-run guesthouses
  • Relax in comfortable en-suite bedrooms *
  • Big breakfasts will keep you going all day long
  • Luggage? Don’t worry, we’ll move it for you!
  • Detailed maps, route notes and GPS tracks mean you’ll never get lost
  • Walking directions written and updated by the Hillwalk Tours team
  • Local alternative/supplementary route options based on local knowledge
  • Our waterproof map-case keeps your maps and documents dry
  • If you need to contact us, we’re here 24/7 to help
  • Insider tips on the best places to eat and drink **
  • Explore the local history and culture in our fascinating guides
  • Discover the most interesting attractions on the trail
  • Need info on transport ? We’re happy to help

* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom

** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, the B&B owner will prepare a tasty surprise for you upon request.

Please Note:

We occasionally charge additional supplements on the Hadrian’s Wall Path (East to West)  for tours starting during the high season. This is due to higher costs involved in booking our upgrade option or in cases where our normal accommodation suppliers do not have availability, and an alternative, more expensive, supplier is sourced with your approval.

Would you like more time to visit all the sites and museums along the route or do think you might need a break from all the hiking?

Newcastle: Once the world’s #1 centre of shipbuilding, vibrant Newcastle has undergone a cultural and architectural renaissance. Visit the outstanding ‘Great North Museum’ or experience one of the best nightlife scenes in Britain.  (Please note that accommodation for Newcastle is provided in the friendly seaside towns of Whitley Bay or Tynemouth, just 25 minutes by Metro train from the city centre.)

Chollerford: Explore the captivating Chesters Roman Fort with its ornate headquarters building, commanding officers residence, barrack buildings and military bath-house.

Housesteads / Once Brewed: Discover the Roman forts of Vindolanda and Housesteads with their extensive Roman remains and fascinating artifacts.

Carlisle: Visit medieval Carlisle where you find the award winning Tullie House Museum, the 12th century cathedral and the vast castle, with its ancient chambers, stairways and dungeons.

Booking Extra Days

  • Choose WHERE you wish to stay.
  • Decide HOW MANY NIGHTS you need.
  • Go to the BOOKING FORM and fill in the ‘Extra Nights Required/Other Requests’ section

The costs of extra nights during your Hadrian’s Wall hiking tour start from £60 per person per night and from £80 for single hikers who will have their own private room. 

Please note that if you book any extra nights in a location not included in your tour itinerary, you will have to make your own arrangements to transfer your bags to this location.

Staying at the very best accommodation during your time in England can transform a “good” hiking tour into a “great” hiking tour.

That’s why, at Hillwalk Tours, we take the quality of our accommodation partners seriously. So much so that you will find we strive to only work with high-quality and well-reviewed accommodation. Additionally, most of our accommodation partners have been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team to ensure your comfort.

As keen hikers ourselves we know you’ll want somewhere relaxing to put your feet up in the evening. A place where a warm smile from your hosts makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. If your hiking gear gets wet, it’s nice to know that you can dry it or, if you ask, it may even be taken from you and returned nice and dry the next morning.

Comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms (where available), tasty breakfast menus, and a friendly & cosy atmosphere – these are all the things that we like so you can rest assured that we’ll do our best to find them for you as well.

To find out more about the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here: Accommodation on your Walking Tour

In addition, if you’d like to stay an extra night at any location during your hiking tour, just let us know.

Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point or where you will have private bathroom facilities instead of an ensuite. We may also need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations. The cost of this is covered in your basic tour price and will not affect your tour itinerary.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the hosts of the accommodation that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Getting to and from your Hadrian’s Wall Path (East to West) hiking tour is easy… when you know how!

In your walking pack, you will receive all the necessary public transport information you need to make your journey as convenient as possible.

In the meantime, if you’d like to do some advance planning yourself, here are our tips:

Most Convenient Airports

  • Newcastle Airport
  • Manchester International Airport

Sustainable Travel (from Europe)

  • Travel by Ferry to the UK Sail from ports in the Netherlands, France, Ireland and Spain to Dover, Hull, Harwich, Portsmouth & others in the UK. See list of Routes from Continental Europe & Ireland to UK Ports
  • Travel by Train to the UK From Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam or Amsterdam to London via Eurostar
  • Travel by Bus to the UK From Europe to London / Manchester From Europe to the UK From the Netherlands & France to London

Public Transport

  • Tyneside (Newcastle) Train service to Newcastle Metro to Tyneside
  • Wylam Train Service
  • Heddon-on-the-Wall Train and/or bus service
  • Corbridge Train and/or bus service
  • Chollerford Train and/or bus service

Departing from Lanercost, Newtown, Carlisle or Bowness-on-Solway after your Hiking Tour:

Use public or private bus and train services to Carlisle, Newcastle, Manchester and London.

Travelling by car?

If you would like to leave your car at the first or last accommodation on your tour, for the duration of the tour, then you can directly contact the accommodation owners before the start of your tour to check that this is possible. We will provide contact details for the accommodation provider.

  • About Our Tours

Tour Grading

How to book, don't forget.., during your tour, about our england hiking tours.

The Hadrian’s Wall Path can be hiked both from East to West (towards Bowness-on-Solway) or from West to East (towards Newcastle). The ‘original direction’ was to start from Newcastle and hike towards Bowness, but recently many hikers are hiking the trail from West to East, towards Newcastle.

If you are looking for Hadrian’s Wall Tours running from East to West (Newcastle to Bowness-on-Solway), please click here .

If you are looking for Hadrian’s Wall Tours running from West to East (Bowness-on-Solway to Newcastle), please click here .

There are arguments that can be made for either direction and it really is down to personal preference:

Why walk the trail in a West to East direction?

In recent years many hikers choose to walk the trail from west to east, i.e. starting from Bowness-on-Solway and hiking towards Newcastle. The main reason for this direction is that the prevailing winds in the UK are usually blowing from the west. If you are walking from west to east you will therefore generally have the wind at your back.

Another reason is that many of the best views along the centre section of the route are from west to east and some say that you also get a better understanding of how the Wall was laid out by travelling in this direction. Lastly, it is a lot easier to travel onwards after finishing in Newcastle, when compared to Bowness, and some hikers feel that there may be something poetic about finishing a hike along the Wall in a place called ‘Wallsend.’

Why walk the trail in an East to West direction?

The official guidebook describes the route of the Hadrian’s Wall Path from east to west, i.e. starting from Newcastle. Many hikers feel that it is ‘more natural’ to walk out of a big city into the open country, and to finish on the quiet Solway estuary, which seems a better place to reflect on your achievement than urban and industrial Wallsend in Newcastle.

It usually also makes getting to the start of the walk easier due to the better transport connections to Newcastle. Furthermore, starting this way, you get the long stretch along the B6318 Military Road out of your way early on in your tour. You also get a little more Roman archaeology from each day to the next and the scenery improves the further west you go – up to a point. Lastly, you will be following the direction in which the Romans built the Wall, which is why the turrets and milecastles are also numbered from east to west.

Our “Slow Adventure” hiking tours of the Hadrian’s Wall Path focus on the most exciting central section and cover less daily distance than our standard Gentle itineraries. They are designed to provide hikers with a more immersive and relaxed experience while exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. This type of tour is perfect for those who prefer a slower pace, allowing them more time to enjoy and explore the archaeology and attractions along the central section of Hadrian’s Wall.

Highlights and Features

  • Leisurely Pace: The primary focus of this “Slow Adventure” tour is to encourage a more leisurely pace, allowing participants to take their time to appreciate the sites and scenery. This means shorter daily walking distances of 12-13 km (7.5-8 miles)
  • In-Depth Exploration: The shorter distances give you more time to explore the history and archaeology of Hadrian’s Wall and visit the attractions along the route where in-depth explanations and stories bring the fascinating history of the Wall back to life.
  • Hidden Gems: This tour is designed to let you spend more time at some of the lesser-known and less-visited sections of Hadrian’s Wall where you have the opportunity to discover hidden archaeological treasures and enjoy moments of solitude.
  • Flexible Daily Itinerary: The daily hikes are short, which allows you to adapt to your own pace and interests. This means more time to linger at a fascinating ruin, enjoy a breathtaking view, or chat with fellow travelers.
  • Leave No Trace: Emphasis on responsible and sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that the natural and cultural heritage of Hadrian’s Wall is preserved for future generations.

In summary, our “Slow Adventure” hiking tours of the Hadrian’s Wall Path are all about taking your time, immersing yourself in the history and beauty of the area, and savoring every moment of the journey. It’s an opportunity to connect with the landscape, the archaeology, and the stories that make Hadrian’s Wall such a unique and captivating destination.

A self-guided hiking tour means you are hiking without a guide.

Hillwalk Tours will provide you with all the resources you need to successfully complete the trail alone or in the company of good friends. We’ll plan your route, transfer your bags and show you all the best places to visit but you decide whether you want that extra hour in bed in the morning! All this gives you the freedom to enjoy the trails and the wonderful countryside at your own pace.

Find out more about the benefits of a self-guided hiking tour in comparison to a guided tour here .

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. For example, if you choose to go walking in Kerry in Ireland, it doesn’t matter whether you pick a ‘Gentle’ tour or a ‘Challenging’ tour – you will still be walking along the official ‘Kerry Way’ trail. To make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have either 1) picked out the sections of the walking trails that are less demanding or 2) shortened the average daily hike between accommodations.

  • Same Trail, Easier Sections: For example, on the Kerry Way in Ireland, our ‘Gentle’ tours are restricted to the less demanding sections of the trail while our ‘Challenging’ tours cover the entire trail including the most difficult sections.
  • Same Trail, Shorter Distances: For example, on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in England, you can walk the entire trail on a 8-Day Challenging Tour, a 10-Day Moderate Tour or a 11-Day Gentle Tour. However, while the Challenging tour requires you to keep up a brisk pace of 23km (14.5 miles) per day on average, the Moderate tour has a more leisurely average of 18km (11.25 miles) per day and the Gentle tour only requires an average walking distance of 15km per day.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

12-18km (8-11 miles)  3-6 hours

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind. While you can still expect some climbs, these tours offer the shortest average daily hikes, which in turn means less ups and downs. This will give you plenty time to enjoy the sights and scenery, take photos, have a long lunch and, if necessary, negotiate the more tricky sections of a walk.

 16-23km (10-14 miles)   4-7 hours

Challenging

 22-30km (14-19 miles)   5-9 hours

Our core purpose at Hillwalk Tours is to create experiences that make people happy. Some of the ways we try to achieve this, and ensure you have the best possible experience with us, include;

The biggest choice of itineraries for the trails we offer, guaranteed –  We want you to explore these areas of outstanding natural beauty at your own pace, with nearly 400 itineraries to choose from across 21 different trails (and we’re always looking to add more).

We book your tour direct, always –  We don’t book third-party companies to organise tours for our customers. We don’t resell tours from other third-party companies. We always directly book and operate all of our tours ourselves.

Creating memorable self-guided hiking tours is all we focus on, nothing else! –  We just focus on creating and organising self-guided hiking tours, and nothing else! And we’ve been doing it for quite some time (since 2008), with over 20,000 hiking tours taken with us so far, and growing…

You can access your tour information easily –  You will receive a designated Hillwalk Tours account where you can login to access all your tour documents, trail GPS file, and other important details. Access your tour information anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

We don’t do off-the-shelf guidebooks  – We personally walk each trail we offer & create our own detailed route notes. By doing so, it allows us to provide you with more itineraries, route options and alternatives than any other walking tour company!

We come highly recommended by other hikers  – Our tours & service have consistently received 5* reviews from walkers. Check out our reviews on  Google ,  Facebook  &  Tripadvisor .

You can start your tour on any day / date you like  – We don’t confine you to book your tour on specific dates. Instead, you can book your tour to start on any day / date you like during the walking season.

We have itineraries to match your fitness levels  – We provide 3 levels of hiking; ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ & ‘Challenging’, which are designed to suit all types of fitness levels and abilities of hikers.

You can walk at your own pace  – As all our tours are self-guided, you can walk the trails at your own pace as opposed to adhering to a strict schedule, allowing you the freedom to enjoy the beautiful nature & surrounds.

We’re here to support you 24/7  – You can reach us by phone 24/7 if you ever need additional support while on the trail.

We have a very low booking deposit  – Our booking deposit of £100 is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, in the industry.

Guided hiking tours are not available from Hillwalk Tours.

However, don’t be put off doing a self-guided hiking tour. With help from the documentation that you are provided in advance i.e. Route Notes & Directions, Local History & Attractions, Places To Eat / Evening Meal Suggestions etc., you are well prepared, making it perfectly manageable to complete the trail by yourself – and without missing out on any of the local information & history as you walk along the trail!

You can start your hiking tour on any day / date you wish within the walking season. Generally, the walking season for most of our hiking tours takes place between March to October, but there are some exceptions. Please see the individual trail pages for further information on the start and end dates of the walking season for each individual trail.

Our 7-Day tours include 5 days of hiking. The first and last days of all our hiking tours are travel days used to transfer to/from the town where your hike will begin/end. If you would like to hike for 7 days, simply select one of our 9-Day tours.

Our 7-Day tours include 6 nights of accommodation – specifically the first 6 nights on your hiking tour. Your tour finishes on the seventh day when you check out of your last B&B.

A single supplement is an additional charge for walkers booking single accommodation (a room for one person).

This is due to the fact that most accommodation providers price their rooms for double occupancy, meaning that they don’t discount the rooms even if they are only occupied by one person. Furthermore, accommodation providers have outlined that the cost of cleaning the room is the same regardless of how many people are in it, and also the potential cost of giving up a double occupancy (or more) sized room for just one person at a cheaper rate, when they could sell the room to more than one person at the normal rate, is too high.

Therefore, the total tour price for individuals who request a single room is “the price per person plus the single supplement”. This added supplement covers the extra costs associated with accommodating a single person in their own room.

It is not possible to bring your dog on a Hillwalk Tours hiking holiday. Unfortunately, the majority of our accommodation providers do not accept pets of any kind. Furthermore, on many of the trails you will pass through farmlands where livestock are present, and where dogs are not permitted as a result.

Yes, most bus and train tickets can be purchased online in advance of your trip. Specific transport information is available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the Travel Info section for each tour for more information.

Upon booking you will also receive a step by step public transport guide which will outline some potential public transport options you can take in order to get you from your arrival airport to the start location of your tour.

We can generally arrange for you to park at your first accommodation.

If you are bringing your car, please contact us in advance.

About Luggage Transfers and Accommodation

No, on all our English hiking tours your luggage will be transported to your next accommodation each day as you walk and will arrive before 4pm. Weight limits apply to each piece of luggage, and vary from trail to trail, so please refer to your walking pack documents and communications sent to you in advance of your tour for the maximum weight limit allowed per bag on your selected tour.

You will mostly be staying in traditional English Bed & Breakfasts (B&B’s) / Guesthouses and small Hotels during your hiking trip. B&Bs / Guesthouses are often private lodging houses, where the friendly hosts welcome travellers into their homes. To ensure your comfort, most accommodation you will stay in has been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team. At your accommodation, you can expect a warm welcome, en-suite facilities (where available) and a tasty breakfast each morning (but usually no other meals).

If you are planning to walk the Camino Francés pilgrimage trail in Spain, you will mostly be staying in family-owned hotels, boutique pensiones (guesthouses), casas rurales (country cottages) and traditional pazos (manor houses) during your hiking trip.

For more details on the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here:  Accommodation on your Walking Tour

Yes, you will receive a list of all accommodation that you will be staying in prior to the departure of your travels. Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. It’s within PDF copy of your walking pack documents that you’ll be able to find what accommodation you will be staying in each night*. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or the first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags.

*If you’d prefer to receive a physical copy of your full walking pack documents too, it’s essential that you reply by email within 48 hours of booking your tour in order to let us know.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the owner of the B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Please be aware that occasionally, due to the limited supply of accommodation, we may have to make reservations for you at a nearby B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel and arrange transfers to and from the walking trail accordingly. In most locations, this is not a concern but in certain places, availability can be an issue. For more information, just have a chat with the person who is booking your tour.

A ‘twin’ room is a room for two people with two separate beds. A ‘double’ room has just one large bed (for two people).

For more detailed information on the different room type options, please see the following page: Room Types

About Your Walking Pack

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags*.

A breakdown of the documents and items you can expect to find in your walking pack are as follows; – Route notes (prepared by a member the Hillwalk Tours team who has walked every step of your tour) – Detailed hiking map(s) – A high-quality waterproof map-case – Full details of your accommodations and where you will be staying – Our tips on the most interesting attractions to visit along the trail – A look at fascinating local history – A guide to the best places to eat and drink – Safety information, emergency contact details & the country code for walkers

You will find GPS coordinates for each overnight accommodation on your tour in your walking pack, which you will receive prior to departure. Additionally, you will find the GPS coordinates for the trailheads (i.e. the start and end points of your daily hikes) for most of our tours.

GPS tracks for your walking route will also be provided and available to download prior to your tour. Please note that while we are reasonably confident that the tracks are correct and up-to-date, we recommend that they are not used as the only tool for navigation. The most important means for navigation should be the way markers along the trail, our route notes and the maps we provide in the walking pack.

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a PDF copy of your hiking documents. This PDF document can then be forwarded to as many people within your walking group as you’d like.

For the walking pack which includes physical items such as luggage tags, map-case, maps etc. and which will be posted to you (or awaiting at your first accommodation) – one walking pack will be provided per four people. Therefore, for a group of 1 – 4 people, one walking pack will be sent. For 5 – 8 people, two walking packs will be sent, etc.

The contents of your walking pack (route notes, accommodation information, history, etc.) will all be in English .

About Fitness Levels

We try to provide trail itineraries that cater to a large range of hikers & abilities. To achieve this, we provide 3 different levels of difficulty i.e. Gentle, Moderate, and Challenging itineraries. The difference between each level of difficulty is in the average distance that you will walk each day. It does not differ in relation to the elevation, as the exact trail will still be followed. Therefore, the same elevations (the up’s and down’s) of the trail are usually present regardless of the level of difficulty. Depending on the trail, you may find in your route notes some alternative & easier route options for sections of the trail in order to help you navigate & bypass more difficult parts of the trail, but this isn’t always the case.

It’s important to note that levels of difficulty provided by Hillwalk Tours should only be used as a guide against where your own level of fitness is at, and what you feel you will be able to manage on a daily basis. At the end of the day, it’s you that knows your own level of fitness best. We strongly encourage you to review the distances & walking times for each itinerary that you may be considering, along with any additional notes on the specific tour page, in advance of booking.

The difference between these tours is the distance that you will hike each day:

  • Gentle tours cover an average of 12-18 km (8-11 miles) per day
  • Moderate tours cover an average of 16-23 km (10-14 miles) per day
  • Challenging Tours cover an average of 22-30 km (14-19 miles) per day

For a more detailed breakdown of how we grade our hiking tours, please see the following question: Tour Grading

Yes, we are more than happy to organise an additional night for you at any location along your tour.

Suggestions on interesting places to take a rest day are available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the ‘Extra Days/Activities’ section of each tour for more information.

About Money, Flights and Insurance

ATMs (cash machines) are available in most larger cities, towns and villages. Remember that your home bank will likely charge you for withdrawing money overseas. Additionally, if you have a debit card, you can often get cash through the ‘cashback’ system at some shops and pubs when you make a purchase with the card (ask for ‘cashback’).

Credit and debit cards can now be used for payment almost everywhere. However, there are still some smaller businesses that may only accept cash, such as smaller shops, B&Bs (for packed lunches) or taxis (for transfers to or from restaurants). We therefore recommend that you carry some cash (local currency) with you as a back-up.

Contactless card payments are also increasingly accepted in many places (please check daily card limits in advance of use).

The currency used in the United Kingdom (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) is Pound Sterling (£). Therefore, if you are taking any hiking tour in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you will need Pound Sterling.

Flights and transport to the start and from the end of your hiking tour are not included on our tours. However, we do provide a detailed step-by-step guide of suggested options on how you can make it to the start location of your hike by public transport from numerous major airports. In addition, for further travel information, see the ‘Travel Info’ section on the individual tour page for each trail.

Although travel insurance is not required to take a hiking holiday, we strongly encourage you to take out adequate insurance cover prior to travel.

Unfortunately 3rd party travel insurance is not available through Hillwalk Tours, and must be booked separately.

Which England Hiking Tour Should You Choose?

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. But to make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have shortened the average daily hike between accommodations for the gentle and moderate tours.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

1. Browse through our website to find your preferred hiking trail.

2. Choose the type of hiking tour you want to take: ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Challenging’.

3. Next, identify the number of days you want to spend on your hiking tour.

4. Click the ‘Make a Booking’ button on the top right of our webpage.

5. Finally, fill out our booking form and make a €100 deposit per person.

Deposits and Final Payments can be made using:

1. Credit Card – through Stripe, for Sterling Payments

Stripe is a quick and secure way to accept credit card and debit card payments online. Stripe handles millions of transactions every year for businesses around the world and is now the preferred payment partner for many major companies.

2. Bank Transfer – Instructions & account details on how to make a bank transfer payment can be found on our booking form and also within the final payment email. Alternatively, you can contact us directly for the required account details.

1. If you paid by credit card or debit card, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours verifying receipt of your booking form and deposit payment.

In this email, you will be asked to confirm your tour details. If you paid by bank transfer, payment will take a few days to reach us. Therefore you will receive your email confirmation and request to confirm your tour details shortly after we have assigned the bank payment to your booking form. In this case, you may receive an automatic email outlining that a booking form has been received, but no deposit has been received – you can disregard this email.

2. Once your confirmation is received that all details on your booking form are correct, we will begin making the arrangements for your tour. Therefore, the sooner you send us this confirmation, the sooner we can start to book your tour.

3. After all the arrangements for your tour have been confirmed (this process can normally takes between five to ten working days) you will be sent a breakdown of the balance outstanding for your tour and a due date for payment.

4. Once your final payment has been received, we will send you an e-mail confirming receipt.

5. PDF soft copies of your walking pack will then be sent to you by email which will include all your tour details, and physical items required for your tour (e.g. maps, luggage tags etc.) will be posted to your home address, or to the first accommodation on your tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival. Alternatively, if you have requested that your full walking pack be printed, this will also be either sent to your home address or to your first accommodation on the tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival.

6. You will receive an automated email from us, one week in advance of your tour start date, providing you with some additional information to help with your preparation before travel.

7. During your tour, if you have any issues, you can reach us 24/7 on our emergency contact number which is found in your walking pack.

8. After your tour has finished, we will send you a feedback form in relation to your tour and how it all went. We place a huge importance on our customers feedback and experience of our tours, so when you have some free time, we strongly encourage you to fill out this feedback form as it helps us to continue to provide a high quality service and to further improve where necessary.

9. Lastly, if you would like to tell others about your experience with Hillwalk Tours, you can leave an online review on our Google , Facebook or Tripadvisor pages.

ESSENTIALS:

Please note: A detailed ‘Recommended Equipment L ist’ will be included in your walking pack

◻ WATERPROOF JACKET AND OVER-TROUSERS  – You never know when you will need protection from wind and rain – so prepare for unpredictable weather by packing a waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers. You may not need them, but you will be happy to have them if you do.

◻ BASE LAYER  – This is what you wear against your skin and the best options are breathable and wicking fabrics instead of cotton. They will move moisture away from the skin so that you feel more comfortable when you are walking.

◻ FLEECE – It keeps you warm in the cooler months and on top of the hills, and will allow you to shed layers when you are working hard in the summer.

◻ LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE TROUSERS – Make sure you choose trousers that are stretchy or allow enough space to move your legs freely.  Jeans / Denims are not suitable for hill walking and dry very slowly once they get wet.

◻ WICKING SOCKS – Choose non-cotton socks that fit well and will move moisture away from your feet to stop them feeling sweaty. Some people wear two pairs: a sock liner against the skin and wool or wool-blend socks over that. This will help to reduce the likelihood of blisters and ‘hot spots’. Our tip: Apply a little Vaseline or a similar anti-blister ointment each morning and then put on your socks, this reduces rubbing and helps to prevent blisters.

◻ FOOTWEAR – We recommend that you bring comfortable, waterproof, lightweight shoes or boots, that provide good ankle support and offer good grip on rock, grass and mud. Remember that the trails in many of our regions can become quite wet and muddy after periods of rain. Our tip: If you buy new boots for your holiday make sure to try them out on one or two longer walks before your tour!

For the South Downs Way we recommend footwear with good soles for the sections of exposed flint stones.

House Shoes: Some B&Bs don’t allow boots or shoes in the house, so you may wish to bring some ‘house shoes’ i.e., slippers, flip-flops, etc.

◻ GAITERS – By covering your upper boot and lower leg these help to keep your feet and trousers dry in wet grass and boggy terrain. We recommended you bring gaiters especially for our tours along the western coast of Ireland and the Cotswold Way, but they are a good thing to have on your feet wherever the ground gets especially wet.

◻ BACKPACK / RUCKSACK (with Waterproof Cover or liner) – To store all your essentials and keep them dry – including extra layers of clothing, your waterproofs, first aid kit, camera and your lunch, snacks and drinks. Don’t forget how important it is to stay hydrated and bring at least 1 – 2 litres of water per person each day, depending on the weather! Also, make sure to bring some emergency snacks, to help keep your energy up!

◻ WARM HAT & GLOVES – Essential, even in summer, at higher altitudes and on exposed places.

◻ CASH – Bring enough for the duration of your tour/hike as ATM/cash machine & credit card services may be limited (see your Welcome Letter for more details) .

◻ FIRST AID KIT – It’s a good idea to have a small, basic first aid kit to deal with little injuries such as sprains, scrapes, cuts and blisters. Good things to bring are plasters & wound dressings, sterile cleansing wipes, pain killers, tweezers (for splinters & ticks), bandages and, zinc oxide tape.

◻ WHISTLE – This standard piece of hiking equipment is for the very unlikely event you need to signal for help (the standard signal is three long blasts).

◻ HIGH VISIBILITY VESTS & TORCH – Many trails, particularly in Ireland, have sections that follow roads. For those hikes you may wish to bring a High Visibility Vest which will increase your visibility, especially in bad weather or if it gets dark when your walk takes longer than expected. A torch can help on off-road sections.

◻ PLUG ADAPTER (CONVERTER) – 3-square pin plugs are used in Ireland and the UK – voltage is 230V.

◻ MOBILE PHONE – We strongly recommend that you bring or purchase a mobile/cell phone. It will allow you to contact your accommodation and transfer providers from the trail and call for help in an emergency.

  • Visitors from other European Countries: As it stands many European network operators also don’t charge for roaming in the UK (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland), but please check this with your operator before you travel.
  • Visitors from the United States, Canada and elsewhere: If your phone is unlocked and GSM/UMTS compatible, you can also purchase a UK SIM card from a variety of mobile phone stores and supermarkets and use it in your own phone. Alternatively, you can purchase a cheap pre-pay phone when you arrive. It is often possible to buy a very basic pre-pay phone for as little as £15. You can then top-up with vouchers or a credit/debit card. If you phone supports digital eSIM cards, you may be able to purchase a separate plan from your phone network provider for use abroad or a prepaid plan from local network provider in your destination country.
  • To make international calls in Europe you must dial 00 as the international access code (and not 011 as in the US or Canada). If you are dialling from a cell phone, enter + instead of 00, or simply hold down the 0.
  • Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start your walk. Please note that you might not always have a phone signal on the trail but, in general, the level of coverage is quite good.
  • If you have a smartphone, we recommend you have a mapping app like Google Maps installed and your location/GPS service turned on. This will let us better help you should you need assistance while on the trail by identifying your location.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS:

◻ SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES AND SUNHAT  (April to Sept) – Let’s hope you’ll need those!

◻ MIDGE/INSECT REPELLENT & MIDGE NET (May to September only) – can be useful for all regions.

◻ CAMERA  – Vital for capturing photos of the stunning scenery along your trip, which help you brag to your friends about your holiday.

◻ COMPASS – A compass (and the ability to use it) is a good idea but not a requirement for our English tours.

◻ WALKING POLES  – Assist forward movement, reduce impact on your knees, and help with balance in difficult terrain. A pair is best but many hikers also just use one.

◻ EARPLUGS  – We know how important it is to get a good night’s rest. However, as there may be other guests in the guesthouse with different plans for their night, we recommend bringing a pair of earplugs to ensure sweet dreams!

Your room will be ready each day from 4pm at the latest and sometimes sooner.

Check-in times to your accommodation is generally not before 4pm. You may be able to check-in a bit earlier (e.g. around 3pm), but this is not guaranteed. To request an earlier check-in time, please contact your accommodation host in advance to discuss.

If you expect to arrive later than 6pm to your accommodation, please inform you accommodation hosts in advance (in particular B&B’s & Guesthouses). Reasons for this can be that your flight is delayed, that you are still on the trail or because you might have stopped for food or a drink before check-in. By letting them know in advance, it allows the hosts to plan accordingly and to also put their minds at ease that you are OK.

Check-out time is usually 10am , but it can vary, therefore it’s often best to discuss check-out times with your accommodation hosts directly.

Your luggage will arrive by 4pm each day

A tasty breakfast is important to prepare you for the day of hiking & adventure ahead. At your accommodation you can find either, a hot breakfast, a continental breakfast, or perhaps even both!

In some cases, where we have no other option but to book you into accommodation where no breakfast is served, we will deduct the cost of the breakfast from your tour price which can instead be used to purchase breakfast in a nearby café / restaurant.

Most accommodation hosts will always try and cater for dietary requirements as best they can, provided they are notified in advance. Therefore, if you do have any dietary requirements (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, etc.) please let us know in the “Any Dietary Requirements/Allergies?” field on our booking form when booking.

Please note, not all businesses may readily accommodate dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc., especially in more remote and rural areas. If you require a specific diet, we recommend you enquire in advance or talk to your hosts. You may also find it useful to download an app such as Vanilla Bean or Happy Cow , both available on Android and iOS, to help you find a venue which meets your needs.

In your Route Notes, we list places where you should expect to find at least one café, pub, shop or restaurant along each day’s hike. However, opening times can change, some places may only open in afternoon, and businesses can close unexpectedly. We therefore recommend you also check with your accommodation hosts where you can get lunch the next day, either along the route or at the start of the hike.

If it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase food or drink during the day, you may wish to purchase a packed lunch before you start in the morning, especially if it is a long hike. If there are no shops nearby, your host will be able to provide a packed lunch at a reasonable price on request.

You can generally buy an evening meal in one of the local restaurants, cafes or pubs close to your accommodation. If there aren’t any restaurants/cafes/pubs in the local area, evening meals can be obtained from your host.

The majority of accommodation hosts will be able to assist you in drying your clothes and boots.

1 kilometre = 0.62 mile 1 mile = 1.61 kilometres

Many of the English hiking trails can pass through private farmland. This means that farmers can have their livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats etc.) grazing in the same fields that you walk through. Some livestock may look intimidating. However, don’t worry, you will find these animals are actually quite timid. Continue walking in a normal fashion (do not run) and you should have no problems. In addition, take note of any signs which the farmer may have put up.

You can find more information on how to deal with animals on your hike in the Safety Information & Country Code document you find in your walking pack.

Most areas have mobile / cell phone reception, even while you are hiking. However, you may pass through some remote areas where reception will be either limited or unavailable entirely.

It is important to note that, if you are ever in an emergency, mobile/cell phones can still contact the emergency service numbers even without mobile/cell phone reception.

Yes, in most accommodation Wi-Fi is available, however it’s not guaranteed. In addition, due to the remote locations of some accommodations, the Wi-Fi quality may not always be the best.

Yes, in general most routes are very clearly way-marked with a marker directly before and after each turn. If you are ever in doubt, you can also check the Hillwalk Tours route notes or maps provided in your walking pack.

Yes, it is possible that your tour may include taxi transfers to bring you to and from the trail. The reason for this is;

  •  Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into an accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point.
  •  Due to limited accommodation options or no availability in accommodation, we may need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations, in which case taxi transfers will be required to bring you to and from the trail.
  •  Due to minimum night stay requirements in accommodations on certain trails, we sometimes have no other option but for you to stay multiple nights in the same location and use transfers to get you to and from the trail.

The cost of these taxi transfers bringing you to and from the trail is covered in the tour price, and they will not affect your tour itinerary i.e. you will still walk the exact route as listed.

In England, famous for its rain and the lush green of its countryside, the Gulf Stream ensures mild, maritime influenced weather. The warmest months are July and August with temperature averages between 16 and 21°C. Rain falls throughout the year, and the weather in England can sometimes change very quickly. Average annual rainfall in the north is more than 1,600mm, but central and southern England receive an average of less than 800mm. April, May and June are the driest months.

hadrian's wall path tour

Ultimate Guide to Hiking Hadrian’s Wall Path

Follow in the footsteps of Roman history while hiking in England, and discover why walking the Hadrian's Wall Path trail should be on your hiking bucket list with our in-depth guide.

Hadrian's Wall Path Hillwalk Tours

Best places to eat on Hadrian’s Wall Path

If you are hiking on the trail along Hadrian’s Wall Path, you will need to remember to rest and refuel regularly. Are...

Hadrian's wall path hiking images

Best Direction To Walk Hadrian’s Wall Path

Hadrian’s Wall Path is one of the most popular long-distance walking trails in the UK. This is with good reason,...

Hadrian's Wall Path Hillwalk Tours

Breathtaking drone videos and film footage of Hadrian’s Wall

Looking for an accessible long-distance walk in England brimming with historical heritage, fantastic scenery and memorable encounters? Then the path along...

Hadrian's Wall Path Hillwalk Tours

Hadrian’s Wall: Top 10 facts

Hadrian’s Wall is the most famous border installation of the Roman Empire. In addition, the 135 km (84 mile) long...

Hiking Hadrian’s Wall Path: Overview & Tips

Hadrian’s Wall is a monumental testimony to Roman rule in England. After more than two thousand years, traces of this bygone...

Roman ruins along Hadrian's Wall path

Hadrian’s Wall History & Hiking Trail

Hadrian’s Wall has so much to offer. Hike along the adjacent path. Discover ruins of the Roman Empire’s most northern...

Sycamore Gap

An American’s Hike on the Hadrian’s Wall Path

David, from the United States, undertook a hike on Hadrian’s Wall Path in September 2018. Here is his blog post...

Hadrian's Wall runs through Northumberland National Park

Hadrian’s Wall Path – 9 Trail Highlights

Hadrian’s Wall is known for its history about the Romans in Britain. It also provides a unique and tranquil hike...

Hadrian's Wall Path

7 Best Roman Ruins Along Hadrian’s Wall Path

Hadrian’s Wall is the most northern frontier of the Roman army in Britain. It is a designated World Heritage Site...

hadrian's wall path tour

Exploring Northumberland – 6 Spots Worth the Walk

England’s northernmost county, Northumberland, is home to staggering uncut landscapes, breath-taking coastal views and all manner of weird and wonderful...

See More Reviews Here

TripAdvisor

You Might Also Like

5 Star Hiking Holidays

Privacy Overview

  • All Ireland Tours
  • Wicklow Mountains
  • Antrim Glens & Causeway Coast
  • Connemara & the West of Ireland
  • Burren Way & Cliffs of Moher
  • Kerry Camino
  • St Kevin’s Way & Glendalough
  • All Scotland Tours
  • West Highland Way
  • Rob Roy Way
  • Great Glen Way & Loch Ness
  • Speyside Way Whisky Trail
  • Fife Coastal Path
  • All England Tours
  • Hadrian’s Wall Path (West to East)
  • Cotswold Way
  • South West Coast Path (Cornwall)
  • South Downs Way
  • Pembrokeshire Coast Path
  • Camino Frances (Spain)
  • Kerry Camino (Ireland)
  • St Kevin’s Way & Glendalough (Ireland)
  • Map Of Trails
  • Camino Frances
  • Book Your Tour With Confidence
  • Reasons To Book With Us!
  • Resource Centre
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Meet The Team
  • Sustainable Tourism
  • Work With Us

Hadrian's Wall Tours & Vacations

Hikers standing next to Hadrian's Wall, on a cloudy day, with their tour guide, England

Follow in the footsteps of Romans and discover some of England’s most gorgeous countryside along the way.

Spanning 73 miles from coast to coast across northern England , Hadrian's Wall is so much more than a wall. It's an archaeological treasure drenched in stories and secrets of one of the most powerful empires in history. Although completed in AD122, the wall and its surrounding forts, turrets and castles have stood the test of time, making it the best-preserved Roman frontier in the world. With a local guide by your side, you’ll discover all the highlights plus some hidden gems. From breathing in the fresh air from the top of a crag to warming up with delicious local food in cozy village pubs, there’s something new to discover every step of the way.

Our Hadrian's Wall trips

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Hadrian's Wall highlights

Hadrian's wall tour reviews.

Filter by rating

Walk Hadrian's Wall Highlights

Hadrian's Wall travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

What should I pack for a Hadrian’s Wall tour?

Ensure you bring plenty of comfy clothes, a daypack and a pair of hiking boots or walking shoes that have been worn in (this is important as you don’t want blisters early on in your trip!).

You might also need a hiking stick as some sections of the crags (hills) are rocky and steep.

It rains a lot in Northumberland, so you’ll need a warm, waterproof jacket no matter what time of year you visit. 

How difficult is walking Hadrian’s Wall?

This walking trip is a point-to-point walking itinerary, and while it doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.

Some days of walking include undulating hill sections and uneven terrain, so you might want to consider bringing walking poles to help you. 

Can you cycle along Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian's Cycleway is part of the National Cycle Network and covers 170 miles (275km) from Ravenglass in the Lake District (on the Cumbrian Coast) to South Shields by the North Sea.

The route follows Hadrian's Wall, and you'll be able to access many sections directly (or hop off and explore on foot), but you can see more by walking as the walking trail follows the wall and historical sites more closely. 

When is the best time of year to walk Hadrian's Wall?

The folks at National Trails recommend walking Hadrian's Wall between May and October as the weather is mild and the soil is drier, which is better for reducing wear and tear on the trails.

Summer is the busiest season, so you'll share the trails with more people.

You can still visit in the cooler months, but just note that the weather is cold and wet (particularly in winter), and the days are very short, which isn't great for walking.

How do I get to Hadrian's Wall?

The easiest place to start your Hadrian's Wall adventure is in Newcastle (in the east) or Carlisle (in the west), as these cities are well connected to the rest of the  UK  and  Europe  by road, train, bus and air. 

You can travel to Newcastle or Carlisle by train from London, Birmingham and Newport in the south, and Glasgow and Edinburgh in the north, or take a coach with Megabus or National Express to Newcastle and Carlisle from London, Manchester, Leeds and various other cities in the UK. 

Once you arrive in the Hadrian's Wall region, you can take the Tyne Valley Railway, 685 bus or AD122 bus to travel between the east and west of Hadrian's Wall.

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

hadrian's wall path tour

WALK THE WALL WITH AN EXPERT

Friendly.  Factual.  Fun.  Walk and talk with an archaeologist to breathe life into history!

We'll go with you.  #GoWithHadrian

WE ARE HADRIAN WALKING TOURS

crennelations.png

It's your trip!  Whether you're walking the Hadrian's Wall Path, visiting a historic site, or just out for a hike in Wall Country, make the most of your visit with Hadrian Walking Tours.  Let an archaeological expert be your guide to one of ancient Rome's greatest monuments. Get the facts about what we really know (and what we really don't) and keep up to date with breaking archaeological developments.  Go beyond the guidebook.  Go with Hadrian.

Real Archaeological Expertise ​

Unforgetable Scenery

Adventures of a Lifetime

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ADVENTURE

No matter if it's a once in a lifetime journey or an just afternoon outing, every trip to Hadrian's Wall should be unforgettable.  Make the most of your visit with an expert to show you what others miss (or misunderstand).  Fast or slow, long or short, wherever you want to go and whatever you want to see, Hadrian Walking Tours will go with you.  Let us guide you through ancient landscapes and jumbled ruins to see and understand the remarkable people (men, women, and children, hailing from Scotland to Syria) who lived here long ago.

HALF DAY WALK

HEAR FROM OUR TRAVELLERS

"Sky guided our group for a full day. It was so good we asked him to stay and walk with us the next day too!"

Sham S. - San Francisco

WHAT'S UP ON THE WALL?

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Jul 8, 2022

Suggested Walk: Housesteads to Steel Rigg Circuit

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Feb 1, 2022

Desert "Sky"

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Jan 27, 2022

What Is Hadrian's Wall?

SHARE YOUR #GOWITHHADRIAN MOMENTS!

Relive the past, on Hadrian's Wall

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Switzerland

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Camino de Finisterre
  • Camino del Norte
  • Camino Frances
  • Camino Ingles
  • Camino Portugues
  • Camino Portugues Coastal
  • Camino Primitivo
  • Via de la Plata

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Difficulty Levels
  • Travel Insurance
  • Why take a self-guided holiday?

hadrian's wall path tour

  • USD ($)
  • EUR (€)
  • GBP (£)
  • AUD ($)
  • CAD ($)

Orbisways Logo

Sign in with your email and password below and manage your bookings.

hadrian's wall path tour

Hadrian´s Wall Path in 10 days

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Availability J F M A M J J A S O N D

Discover the history of the lands in the north of England , along a tour of Hadrian's Wall, an extensive wall dating back to 122 AD, with World Heritage status, when the Roman emperor Hadrian ordered its construction to defend the subjugated territory.

  • Along the way you will find sheep grazing in the middle of the typical country landscapes through the north of England.
  • Explore incredible Roman ruins.
  • Walk along the border between Scotland and England.
  • Fall in love with the beauty and history found in these lands.

Request a Quote

First Name *

Last Name *

Start Date (First Night) *

Travellers * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Day 1 - Arrival in Newcastle

The starting point of this fascinating tour will be Newcastle-Upon-Tyne , a city in the north-east of England where culture and history are breathed. Its inhabitants are known as Geordies, who have their own dialect . In ancient times it was one of the main forts in the Roman Empire, and today it is an important business and science centre.

Overnight in Newcastle

Hotel indigo.

The rooms at this hotel have been carefully decorated and feature satellite TV, a mini-bar and an en suite bathroom.   

The hotel has a nice bar and in its restaurant owned by Marco Pierre White, they serve delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  

Free Wi-Fi access is available.

*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.

Day 2 - Newcastle to Heddon - 15,7 miles | 25 km

Today, your walk will be along the River Tyne, a coastal tributary in the north-east of England that begins as two rivers, the South Tyne and the North Tyne.

You'll follow your journey to Heddon-on-the-Wall, a charming village in Northumberland, located on Hadrian's Wall.

Overnight in Heddon

Wormald house.

This bed & breakfast hotel is housed in what was formerly the home of Joseph Wormald, the superintendent of one of the region's mines.

It has three cosy rooms with a private bathroom.

Day 3 - Heddon to Corbridge - 12,6 miles | 20 km

Today's route will be on a path parallel to the well-known B6318 road , which runs from Heddon-on-the-Wall to Greenhead.

Overnight in Corbridge

The angel of corbridge.

Each of the rooms of this cosy hotel , dating back to 1569, has its own style and features that make this a unique and unforgettable place.

Day 4 - Corbridge to Chollerford - 10,5 miles | 17 km

This will be an ideal day to get to know more about the history of these lands , as you will have the possibility to explore the ruins of an ancient Roman city.

You will be able to visit several attractions that will transport you immediately back in time, including Corbridge Roman Town, a busy settlement that in the past, was one of the main supply centres for Romans and civilians.

Overnight in Chollerford

This country house is set on a farm next to Hadrian's Wall.

Packed lunches are available on site and there is a drying room for wet clothes.

Day 5 - Chollerford to Once Brewed - 12,7 miles | 20,5 km

Today you can enjoy one of the best stretches of Hadrian's Wall. The first part of the day you will walk near the wall, and after passing Shield, you will be able to explore the ruins and Roman fortresses.

Before you reach your destination, you will have the possibility to visit Vindolanda, one of the forts that guarded the wall.

Overnight in Once Brewed

Vallum lodge.

This charming country house is located in Northumberland National Park , a few steps from Hadrian's Wall.

Just 200 yards away is Twice Brewed Inn, where you can enjoy a beer and delicious food.

Day 6 - Once Brewed to Gilsland - 9,3 miles | 15 km

You will walk through Northumberland National Park and ascend to Winshields Crags, which at 345 metres is the highest point on the route. We recommend that you have your camera on hand, because from there you will have some incredible panoramas.

Then you will continue along a well-preserved stretch of Hadrian's Wall until you reach Gilsland , a small town on the border between Cumbria and Northumberland.

Overnight in Gilsland

Brookside villa.

This charming Victorian villa has five comfortable and spacious rooms equipped with a king or two single beds, Wi-Fi and a bathroom with a hydro massage shower.

There is a dining room and a pleasant bar on site.

Day 7 - Gilsland to Brampton or Lanercost - 9,3 miles | 15 km

Enjoy Hadrian's Hall at its best, because today you will walk through one of the best conserved parts, you can also contemplate magnificent landscapes typical of this region: lakes and mountains with rugged slopes.

You can spend the night in Brampton or Lanercost, located 4 km (2.6 miles) from each other. We recommend checking the route well to get to the right village.

Overnight in Brampton

Scotch arms mews.

Rooms at this small and cosy hotel feature free Wi-Fi, a TV and a seating area.

Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and laundry facilities .

Day 8 - Brampton to Carlisle - 9,6 miles | 15,5 km

Today's walk will be what you will be able to contemplate from Hadrian's Wall, because in this section there is very little left of the wall . In return, you will have the possibility to enjoy typical country landscapes , where peace reigns .

Arriving in Carlisle , the capital of the county of Cumbria , you can visit the Tullie House Museum, an establishment that houses an extensive collection of paintings by important regional and national artists.

Overnight in Carlisle

Fern lee guest house.

Set in a beautiful Victorian house , this hotel is located in the historic centre of Carlisle.

The rooms feature free Wi-Fi, an ensuite bathroom and a TV.

The property offers a variety of breakfasts made with regional products.

Day 9 - Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway - 15 miles | 24 km

On the last day of the tour you will pass through Burgh by Sands , a beautiful and charming town near Carlisle , also well known for being the place where King Edward I died. Along the way, you can enjoy great views , while listening to the song of the great variety of birds that are found in this region.

Later, you will arrive at Bowness-on-Solway , a village with only 100 houses, located on the south side of the Solway Firth estuary that separates England from Scotland.

Overnight in Bowness-on-Solway

Shore gate house.

This bed and breakfast is located in an old house.

It has comfortable rooms with a bathroom.

Day 10 - Bowness-On-Solway

The day has come to say goodbye to these lands to return to your place of origin.

End of our services.

  • Accommodation
  • Transfers as specified in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfer service between stages
  • Information dossier with maps and routes
  • 24-hour telephone support
  • Taxes included
  • Travel insurance
  • Cancellation insurance
  • Additional nights before, during or after the tour
  • Improved hotel room upgrades (if available)

Accomodation

General information.

The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.

Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.

The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip. We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity , so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible. The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.

It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms.

Travel & Transfers

To get to the starting point on this walking holiday, you can take a flight to Newcastle Airport. It can also be reached by train or bus.

When you've finished your trip, from Bowness-On-Solway, you can take a bus (except on Sundays) to Carlisle and from there head to the city from where you'll go back to your place of origin.

What is the best time of year to do this trip?

We recommend you take this walking holiday between the end of March and October.

In particular, between April and May it can be a good time to travel, as the climate is quite pleasant.

How far in advance should I book my trip?

We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area. 

What should my physical preparation be?

This route has a low level of difficulty, but we have itineraries that suit your needs . It is recommended that you are in good physical condition to make the most of this walking holiday.

What should I know before taking this route?

This is a route that is very well signposted and is easy to follow with the complete route itinerary and the map that we will provide.

What equipment do I need to bring?

Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack. 

Is the baggage transfer service included?

Yes, it's included. We will transfer the luggage between each accommodation according to your itinerary. Each person can take a suitcase up to 20 kg (45 lbs).

Do I need to take out travel insurance?

Yes, this is a requirement to book with us. It's important that this insurance covers your activities, emergency evacuation, and hospital care.

Can I take the route in the other direction?

Yes, there's a chance you can do the route from west to east. The itinerary describes it from east to west, as it is the traditional route.

What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?

You can call us to arrange a private transfer for you.

If you prefer, you can also use public transport or local taxis to get to your next accommodation.

Thousands of satisfied customers. Trust Orbis Ways!

karen L.

Hadrian’s Wall Path

Follow in the footsteps of Romans and trek alongside an ancient monument on a coast to coast walk across northern England

Welcome to the Hadrian’s Wall Path home page where you’ll find an introduction to the trail. You can access the trail’s main pages using the links above. Here you’ll find links to the Information & Map page, Trail Holidays page and the Add your information page.

If you’re thinking about planning a visit to the trail, please view the Interactive Map on the  Trail Information & Map  page. The map allows you to view the line of the trail alongside accommodation, things to do, services such as food and drink, transport, water points and more.

You can also find additional Hadrian’s Wall Path pages by going to ‘The Trails’ dropdown menu at the top of the page, clicking on the trail name and browsing the pages in the Further Information column. Here you can access pages such as the trail’s Route Description page, Leaflets page, Circular and Linear Walks page and Events.

Introducing the Trail

Find useful facts and learn more about the Hadrian's Wall Path below. Select the blue tabs below for more details.

About the Trail

What is special about the trail, holiday inspiration, latest news.

  • Start : Wallsend, Tyne and Wear
  • End : Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria
  • Length : 84 mile (135 km)

The Hadrian’s Wall Path is an 84 mile (135 km) long National Trail stretching coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast.

The National Trail follows the line of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing through some of the most beautiful parts of England – from rolling fields and rugged borderlands to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle – with dozens of fascinating museums along the way.

There are route descriptions in the Further Information section of this website.

Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the route is relatively easy. The 23 mile (37 km) section between Chollerford and Birdoswald is the most difficult, with lots of short climbs and descents.

The route is clearly marked and it’s worth considering whether you would rather walk the Path from east-to-west, in the direction the wall was originally built, or west-to-east, which is recommended for more favourable weather conditions.

The Trail is fragile and can become muddy in wet weather so the best time to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path is between May and October. The Trail and Hadrian’s Wall are very popular in summer months, particularly in July and August.

Hadrian’s Wall was constructed by Emperor Hadrian in the 2 nd century AD and the Hadrian’s Wall Path is the only coast-to-coast Trail to follow a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although only a few sections of the Wall remain visible above ground, the remains of Roman forts have been excavated to give visitors a rich insight into life in Roman Britain. There are numerous museums on route, providing a fascinating insight into life in ancient England.

Highlights on the Hadrian’s Wall Path include the Roman Forts of Segedunum (Wallsend), Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald, River Tyne bridges, Whin Sill escarpment and the Solway salt marshes with their amazing wildlife.

Visit our Walking Holidays Page for holiday inspiration for the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

Visit our News Page for the latest intersting and exciting news on the Hadrian’s wall Path National Trail

Take a look at our Events calendar to find details of the enjoyable events that are taking place along the trail.  If you want, you can even add your own event .

Hadrian's Wall Path

Click the play button to see the highlights of the Hadrian's Wall Path

Discover history every step of the way

Explore Roman forts, diverse landscapes and unique attractions, all within minutes of Hadrian’s Wall...

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum

Full scale reconstructed bath house introduces visitors to the luxury and sophistication of the Empire.  Located at the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall (Wallsend!), the Roman fort at Segedunum is…

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

Housed in a landmark industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world – presenting a…

Chesters Roman Fort

Chesters Roman Fort

Take a stroll through history around the fort and grounds that straddle Hadrian's Wall. Chesters Roman Fort housed a garrison of 500 cavalry troops here for about 300 years.Today you can still see…

Housesteads Roman Fort

Housesteads Roman Fort

High on a dramatic ridge, Housesteads is the best preserved of all the Roman forts along Hadrian’s Wall. See excavated remains of all the different types of buildings within a…

Roman Vindolanda

Roman Vindolanda

Vindolanda is one of Europe's most important Roman archeological sites. Situated on the Stanegate road, the recently fully refurbished on-site museum provides a magnificent display of the many stunning objects…

Steel Rigg

Steel Rigg is one of the finest viewpoints along the high, central section of Hadrian's Wall. With wheelchair access and a dry footpath from the carpark it gives you a…

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Discover one of the most awe-inspiring views in the north of England. Birdoswald Roman Fort sits on the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian's Wall which still remains today.Stand on the…

Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery

Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery

Amazing family friendly gallery exploring the story of Rome’s north west frontier and the Roman occupation of the north of Britain. The exhibition gives a real insight into the Roman…

Try the trail

View short walks on the trail's interactive map or browse the list by clicking the button below.

Attention please!

The listing you have clicked on is located on or close to more than one trail. Please select the trail you are interested in below to view the listing.

Hadrian's Wall Path

Walk Hadrian's Wall Path on our full-length self-guided walking holidays, with accommodation and luggage transfer.

https://www.contours.co.uk/hadrians-wall-path

Hadrian's Wall Path

A walk between Wallsend and Bowness-on-Solway, following the impressive remains of Hadrian's Wall.

From £340 per person

About the trail

Hadrian's Wall Path is an iconic walking holiday. Through a rolling, castle-marked landscape shaped by the Roman occupation of Britain, this popular National Trail strikes across the breadth of the country along the shoulder of Emperor Hadrian’s ancient wall.

Well-waymarked and featuring plenty of friendly villages eager to welcome walkers, Hadrian's Wall Path is the ideal trail for your first walking holiday. Yet it has plenty to offer veteran walkers, too, whether your interest is in the abundant wildlife, the varied remains of Roman milecastles, or the rolling Northumbrian hills themselves.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Hadrian's Wall Path
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Best of Hadrian's Wall
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Hadrian's Wall Highlights
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Hadrian's Wall Short Break

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Reverse tours available

This route can be walked in either direction - just tick the 'Reverse Tours' box when choosing your tour to see options travelling in the non-standard direction.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more .

About this route

From £600 per person

Hadrian’s Wall Path features on the bucket list of almost every walking enthusiast. Our full-length Hadrian’s Wall Path walking holidays enjoy both the vibrancy of Newcastle and the slow, calm terrain near Bowness-on-Solway, ideal for birdwatchers.

The walk passes countless historic waypoints, such as Segedunum, Chesters and Vindolanda Roman Forts, while staying close to the famous wall from the west coast all the way across England to the east coast. This walk is well-known across the world, and once you've walked it for yourself, it is easy to see why.

This route can also be travelled in the opposite direction if preferred. Select the ‘Reverse tours’ option when choosing your itinerary.

Available tours, short breaks, hadrian's wall path - east to west 5 nights, 4 days walking, what's included.

  • Extra nights?
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

Please note that in early September thousands of athletes and spectators flock to the Great North Run in Newcastle/Gateshead. This can have an impact on availability of accommodations and on baggage transfers in the area, in particular, at Wallsend. If you are considering walking during this time, please telephone or email us to discuss your options. Additionally, please note that due to limited availability of good-quality accommodation near the start of the trail, accommodation for the Wallsend stop is typically located around Newcastle or at Whitley Bay. Instructions are provided to travel via the Metro to the beginning of the trail. The cost of this is not included in the cost of your tour.

Travel to Wallsend where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Wallsend to East Wallhouses(L). 21 miles (33.5km) / 1411 ft (430 m) ascent

East Wallhouses(L) to Once Brewed. 21 miles (33.5km) / 2228 ft (679 m) ascent

Once Brewed to Newtown(L). 18 miles (29km) / 1378 ft (420 m) ascent

Newtown(L) to Bowness-on-Solway. 24 miles (38km) / 689 ft (210 m) ascent

Depart from Bowness-on-Solway after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Holiday highlights

Following Hadrian’s Wall for days of immersive walking through Roman History.

Admiring far-reaching views of the Wall from Wallsend, Cawfields, Walltown Crags and Gilsland.

Enjoying the open wilderness of the Northumbrian countryside, as well as the fine cakes and tea in the friendly towns along the way.

  • 5 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

Route profile.

Hadrian's Wall Path - East to West Route Profile

Travel Information

Weather information.

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

hadrian's wall path tour

Customer reviews from the Hadrian's Wall Path

“Overall an excellent holiday!” Ms Lepage, Canada
“Great walk and great weather. Taxi transfers worked very well and all taxis arrived on time for transfers to and from the walk.” Prof Pender, UK
“I have dreamed of walking Hadrian's wall for 45 years. Doing so was a dream come true. The walk from Chollerford to Steel Rigg was a real physical and mental challenge compounded by the fact that it was very windy and there was horizontal rain. At the end of that day I felt fortunate to have done it. I highly recommend the walk plus I recommend booking with Contours.” Mrs Wright, UK
“I was impressed with the accommodations that Contours arranged, once again. I must have recommended Contours a hundred times by now.” Mrs Sangiorgio, USA
“This was a wonderful walk. We've shared the experience with many of our friends, and they all talk about it being on their "bucket list."” Dr Coffey, USA
“Well organised and everything ran smoothly.” Mr Wood, UK
“Lovely walk full of historical interest and information. We felt a bit like the Romans! Really easy to follow and the best signed route we have done in England.” Mrs Turnelty, UK
“Amazing scenery! The accommodations were wonderful and the notes very good.” Dr Aliah, USA
“Walked the full 84 miles west to east under clear blue skies and high temperatures from 3rd -8th September. Accommodation was excellent as usual, clean and B& B owners friendly and open to discuss the time of breakfast so we could have an early start. The middle three days offered the famous views around The Sill, Sycamore Gap and Twice Brewed. Looking forward to next years trail -yet to be decided but if goes ahead will book through yourselves again.” Mr Rawdin, UK

Please be aware that this website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience. We value your privacy and treat your data with care. Learn more .

For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.

Strictly necessary cookies which are essential for navigating a website and using its features and functionalities. These temporary 'session' cookies are required for basic services such as logging in or making a booking.

Marketing cookies which are used to monitor our marketing & advertising efforts, enabling us to personalise content and enhance results.

Analytics cookies track website usage data, including traffic numbers, page views, and user interactions. This information helps us improve website performance and understand user behavior.

User experience cookies enhance the browsing experience by enabling features like heatmapping and chat functionalities, allowing us to better understand user behavior and improve website usability.

hadrian's wall path tour

  • Best Of The Wall

6 Day Trail Walk

  • 7 Day Explorer
  • Top 10 Tips for Walking Hadrian’s Wall
  • Accommodation
  • Itinerary planning service
  • Bag Transfers

Home » Walking Holidays » 6 Day Trail Walk

6 Day Trail Walk - Details

  Five Accommodation & Service Options  - All options include Bed & Breakfast accommodation and daily Baggage Transfers between first and last night's accommodation. Making a Booking requires only a £25 deposit per person. A Booking Pack is sent out to the person that makes the booking.

V Denarii - from £825 per person* Top of the Range Accommodation Booking Pack includes Map, Guidebook, 'Kit List' and 'Advice on Time & Distance'.

IV Denarii - £725 per person* Beyond the Ordinary Accommodation Booking Pack includes Map, Guidebook, 'Kit List' and 'Advice on Time & Distance'.

III Denarii - £625 per person* Ordinary Standard Accommodation Booking Pack includes Map, Guidebook, 'Kit List' and 'Advice on Time & Distance'.

II Denarii - £575 per person* Standard Saver Accommodation Booking Pack includes Map, 'Kit List' and 'Advice on Time & Distance'.

I Denarius - £499 per person* Limited Budget Accommodation Booking Pack includes Map, 'Kit List' and 'Advice on Time & Distance'.

Three Distance Choices All three options take in Walltown, Winshields Crags, Steel Rigg, Peel Crag, Sycamore Gap, Sewingshields Crags, the Milecastles, Turrets, Bridges, Forts... but the shorter distance itineraries provide more time to explore other Sites of Interest along the way.

55 miles - Carlisle < > Heddon-on-the-Wall For those who prefer a more leisurely walking pace, or shorter daily walking distances (8 - 10 miles a day) and want time to visit the likes of Carlisle Castle, Tullie House Museum, Carlisle Cathedral, Lanercost Priory, Birdoswald, the Roman Army Museum, Aesica, Vindolanda, Housesteads Fort and Chesters Fort.

70 miles - Bowness-on-Solway < > Heddon-on-the-Wall This takes in the extent of the Trail following the original route of the Roman Wall and therefore includes the section along the Solway Firth. Averaging 10 -12 miles walking a day, it still allows ample time to visit Sites of Interest along the way.

84 miles - Bowness-on-Solway < > Wallsend A popular choice for those whose aim is to walk the entire length of the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - focusing particularly on the walking element (14 - 16 miles a day) and yet still experiencing the historic interest along the way. Assuming you are comfortable averaging a steady walking pace covering two miles (3kms) an hour over the length of a day - if you are, this should be within your capabilities.

Hadrian's Wall Path Map The latest edition and most-detailed map of the complete Trail.

Hadrian's Wall Path Guidebook Specially selected - the best guidebook for the direction of your walk.

Hadrian's Wall Path 'Kit List' An essential guide on what to bring - and what you don't need to

Hadrian's Wall Path 'Advice on Time & Distance' A unique guide on how to prepare for your walk

*Price Prices are based on a minimum of two persons. A Supplement applies for Solo Room Occupancy.

Terms & Conditions

Hike Hadrian’s Wall

Visit Hadrian's Wall

HIKE THE WALL YOUR WAY

Discover the incredible Roman construction right here in the North of England. We arrange self guided walking trips ranging from 3 Days up to 10 Days. One visit – a lifetime of memories

6 Day Tours

5 day tours, 10 day tours.

hadrians wall milecastle

Visit the Wall

Experience the epic roman wall.

Visit the wonderful Hadrian’s Wall region and discover the history, culture and incredible skill of the Roman’s across this epic treking adventure. Starting on either the East or West coast, this trail will take you through the City, rolling countryside and remote historical fort regions.

6 DAY 5 NIGHT

£399 per person >>, 10 day 9 night, £725 per person >>, 9 day 8 night, £639 per person >>, 4 day 3 night, £242 per person >>, 5 day 4 night tour, £329 per person >>, testimonials.

web analytics

WhatsApp us

Wild Rover Travel

Hadrian’s Wall Path

Walk from coast to coast alongside the iconic Roman Wall

Hadrian’s Wall Path

  • Travel info
  • Book the tour
  • Heritage Trails
  • Hiking in England
  • Walking Holidays

  Walk alongside an iconic British landmark from coast to coast.

 Explore the wild and beautiful moors, crags, and valleys of the borderlands.

  Immerse yourself in northern England’s Roman heritage at the many historic sites and museums.

  Enjoy the hospitality of country B&Bs brimming with personality and local charm.

  Discover the vibrant, modern city of Newcastle and the contrasting medieval city of Carlisle.

Self-guided hike on the Hadrian’s Wall Path

The Hadrian’s Wall Path is a 135 km long National Trail that crosses northern England, following the course of the wall closely along its entire length from the North Sea to the Irish Sea.

Hadrian’s Wall, also known as the Roman Wall, is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the emperor Hadrian. Its purpose was to guard the northern frontier of the Roman Empire from hostile Scottish tribes. Running from Wallsend , Newcastle in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, the Wall covered the whole width of the island and was manned and maintained for 300 years. Today, the wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hadrian’s Wall Path was opened as a National Trail in 2003, and quickly became one of Britain’s most popular long-distance walking routes. Following the line of the old Roman wall, the route passes through some of the most beautiful parts of northern England – from the rugged Northumberland National Park to the green pastoral scenes of the Eden valley . You will discover rolling fields and rugged borderlands as well as the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle – with dozens of fascinating museums along the way. As well as enjoying pleasant walking through remote moorlands and green pasture, you will find many fascinating historical sites, such as the Segendum Roman Baths in Wallsend, the Roman Army Museum at Greenhead, and Chesters Roman Fort at Chollerford.

Day 1: Arrival in Tynemouth or Whitley Bay

Travel to Newcastle and then on to the coastal town of Whitley Bay (or Tynemouth of you prefer/ subject to availability). Stretch your legs and take the time to visit St Mary’s Island, Lighthouse and Visitor Centre where you can enjoy spectacular coastal views.

Overnight: Tynemouth or Whitley Bay.

Day 2: Wallsend to Heddon / Wylam

Distance: 24 km | Ascent: 170 m | Descent: 60 m | 7 hrs approx.

A short train ride takes you to Wallsend and the start of the Hadrian’s Wall Path. From Wallsend, the trail heads out following the walls of the ancient Roman fort of Segedunum. This is a multi-award-winning site, with reconstructions of a Roman Bath House and an excellent interactive museum.

Follow the old Tyne to Blyth railway line, now a footpath, which leads you the River Tyne at the Riverside Park. You come into the riverside area of downtown Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with vistas of the elegant Tyne Bridges and of the Newcastle skyline, including St. Nicholas Cathedral. There should be time to climb up to Newcastle Keep. Continue along the riverside path, which takes you out of the city. As you get to the old village of Newburn, the countryside really begins to open up. You are now in the county of Northumberland. Just before reaching Heddon-on-the-Wall, you turn off for Wylam and your overnight stop at the end of this flattish day.

Overnight: Heddon / Wylam.

Day 3: Heddon/Wylam to Wall/Chollerford

Distance: 26.5 km | Ascent: 240 m | Descent: 320 m | 7½ hrs approx.

After crossing over the River Tyne, you have your first steep ascent up to Heddon-on-the-Wall, where you will find an intact stretch of the wall. To beyond Chollerford now, the National Trail follows beside the roads that have been built over part of the wall. The wall itself became a source of material for the foundations of General Wade’s military road, and the trail often follows along the Vallum, the ancient ditch line created as a defensive feature when the wall was built. You pass the remains of Vindobala Roman Fort, before coming to a lovely old pub at East Wallhouses after about 10 km. You can also take a slight deviation to Halton after 14 km to admire the old keep.

Overnight: Wall/Chollerford.

Day 4: Wall / Chollerford to Housesteads

Distance: 19 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 250 m | 5½ hrs approx.

Leaving Chollerford, you pass the Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. You continue to follow the road as far as Fozy Moss, where you reach the crags of the Whin Sill Escarpment. This stage roller coasters to Housesteads, with yet another Roman Fort and National Trust Museum. There are excellent views over the “Northward Tynescape” to the Bellingham and Simonside Hills. You now follow arguably the most scenic section of the trip; over the rugged Highshield Crags and then down via Peel Crags to Steel Rigg. From here it is a short walk to hamlets of Once Brewed and Twice Brewed.

Overnight: Once Brewed or Twice Brewed. We use a range of B&B ensuite accommodation.

Day 5: Housesteads to Lanercost or Walton

Distance: 23-27 km | Ascent: 280 m | Descent: 450 m | 7-8 hrs approx.

The wall climbs to its highest point over Windshields Crags, before descending to the delightfully named Bogle Hole. Then descending through Thorny Doors and up again to Cawfields Crags with excellent views onto the Pennines. The way passes by Great Chesters and Magnis (Roman forts), as wess as the ruin of medieval Thirlwall Castle, before crossing the Cumbria / Northumberland border on the River Irthing at Gilsand.

You can enjoy a refreshment break at either Gilsand or Banks before continuing along your way. The hamlet of Banks overlooks the Irthing Valley and Lanercost priory below. From here there are few signs of Hadrian’s Wall remaining so enjoy the last significant portion maintained by English Heritage at Hare Hill. There are lovely views over the Irthing Valley as the walk heads into Walton. This is easy walking along the edge of fields in the shade of some old hardwood trees. Walton is a small village with an interesting church in the centre beside the village green.

Overnight: Lancercost or Walton in a B&B or Farmhouse.

Day 6: Lanercost or Walton to Carlisle

Distance: 18-23.5 km | Ascent: 40 m | Descent: 100 m | 5-6 hrs approx.

The route continues across undulating countryside. After crossing the very attractive Cam beck, you briefly join the road at Newtown Village before skipping across the fields. Here you are following the wall line via Old Wall, Blea Head and Wallhead farms. You then follow a little “sandy lane” that takes you down to The Stanegate, the old Roman road that leads into Crosby-on-Eden, then following the riverside path along the River Eden. At Linstock there is a medieval ‘pele’, Peel Tower that rang in times of danger so that the locals could congregate within its fortifications.

Finally, crossing the River Eden, you reach Carlisle – a very interesting historical city, with a magnificent castle and cathedral. The inner city has been pedestrianised making exploration enjoyable around the market square. A lot of the buildings such as the castle and the Old Town Hall are made of fine red sandstone. Beer fans will not want to miss out a couple of ales, as this is the centre for the Theakstone’s Brewery, or you can visit the Tullie House Museum for a fine collection of Roman remains.

Overnight: Carlisle. For two nights stay in a small 3-star AA graded hotel.

Day 7: Carlisle to Bowness

Distance: 23 km | Ascent: 30 m | Descent: 25 m | 6½ hrs approx.

Your last walking day takes you out of Carlisle following the southern side of the River Eden. The trail follows parallel with the line of the Wall and Vallum, through Grinsdale and Beaumont, where you finally veer away from the river. You will have views to the peaks of Skiddaw and High Pike to the south and across the Solway Firth to the West. Near Dykesfield House, the trail joins an old railway embankment for a couple of miles before re-joining the line of “The Wall” near Glasson. From here you follow the quiet road to Bowness-on-Solway, site of the Roman fort of Maia and journey’s end.

Return by bus or taxi to Carlisle to celebrate completing the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

Overnight: Carlisle.

Day 8: Departure from Carlisle

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Carlisle has excellent transport links to cities throughout the UK.

Getting to Whitley Bay / Tynemouth

Getting from carlisle.

Hadrians Wall Path self guided walking holiday

Tour Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Leave a Review

Cancel reply.

Create an account

Start your adventure today.

Already a member? Login

Happiness Promise

There are hundreds of thousands of guides and tour operators around the world. Figuring out who to trust is stressful and hard.

That’s why we started 10Adventures Tours, we’re here to make it easy to find a great guide or tour operator. We handpick the best local guides and tour operators for 10Adventures, working to ensure you have great guides and a great trip.

We know it sucks to show up in a different country and find out the tents are junk, the guide incompetent or the route different from what we thought we were getting.

We want to give our users peace of mind that you’ll have a great trip and offer a guarantee that we will work with you to make it right.

How does this work? Well, if you feel that something about your trip didn’t’ meet your expectations, let us know. We will then work to gather the details and figure out where things went wrong. If something indeed wasn’t as described, or went wrong with your trip, and the problem was within the control of either oursleves, the guide or the tour company, we will then work out a refund with you that’s proportional to the scale of the problem.

Obviously the best way to make a great trip is to tell your local guide or tour operator and give them the chance to fix the solution while you are on your trip. Most things can be solved by telling your guide when the issue develops. If that doesn’t solve it, then email us right away. Please don’t wait to voice your concerns until the trip is over, as it’s much harder to solve issues after the fact.

We work hard to make sure you have a great trip. If something isn’t right, please email  [email protected]  and we will get to work right away.

Group Trips

Group travel can be chaotic and messy, which is why going on a trip with family or friends is the fun part and planning the trip, well… isn’t. But what if the group travel experience of your dreams could be organized without the hassle of you needing to plan every detail?

With 10Adventures group tours, you’ll be the mastermind behind an unforgettable trip without the need to worry about logistics, payments, or who can get time off for a holiday.

The VIP-level service of our Travel Advisors allows you to organize the adventure of your dreams, customize it exactly how you want to, and watch the savings roll in as more of your friends and family sign up for the once in a lifetime experience you created. It’s that simple!

Take the first step on your next group adventure by contacting one of our Travel Advisors today.

The window to travel as a family only narrows with time. Make the most of it by exploring the world together and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Why share a travel experience with people you don’t know? Spend your hard-earned vacation surrounded by close friends on the adventure of a lifetime.

Shared travel experiences strengthen bonds and are the perfect way to come together as colleagues to solve challenges in a way that just can’t be done in an office environment.

Connect with members of your club or social circle over shared interests like food, culture, and the outdoors.

  • VIP Service: Have a dedicated Travel Advisor who is always a call or a click away.
  • Cost Savings: More people mean a lower cost per person. And there are additional discounts for children and shared rooms.
  • Customizable: You are in charge and choose the start date, length, itinerary, accommodations, and other services.
  • Easy Payment: Flexible payment schedule, and most importantly separate invoices so you aren’t left paying for other people.
  • Private: Just you and your group making memories that will last your lifetime.
  • Quality Time: There’s no better way to travel than alongside family and or friends. Enjoy quality time exploring the world with those you love most.

Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour

Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!

Discover the Roman history of Northern England on this 7-day self-guided walking tour

Greenlee Lough as seen on a self guided tour in England along the Hadrians Wall Path

Take the first step towards a private travel experience, customized just for you.

About this tour:

What travellers are saying about 10Adventures

Jennifer W.

Why travellers choose this tour

At 10Adventures, we take care of the details so that our guests can focus on making memories. Enjoy these key features on this tour.

We're Canadian

Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 6 nights along the tour are included.

Don't worry about meals. 6 breakfasts are included throughout the tour.

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

Local Support

Travel stress-free knowing in-country local support is available by regular phone or WhatsApp to support you during your tour.

Payments Made Easy

Enjoy the flexibility and ease of staggered payments in your own currency using your choice of credit card.

Route Resources

Route notes, maps, and/or a trail app make navigation on this tour a breeze.

Park Entrance Fees

Included where possible! Check the 'What's Included' tab for more info on park entrance fees during your tour.

Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

Accommodation for Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour

This tour includes the accommodation in cozy guest houses and hotels. Each room offers modern amenities that will help to elevate your level of comfort after a long day of hiking. Expect to stay in a room with another member of the tour or upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee.

Note that specific accommodation may vary based on availability but will be substituted with accommodations of a similar standard.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers Single rooms for this tour are on request, and the price depends on the season, availability and the number of days left until your travel. Please inquire to find out more.

Cornerways Guest House in Carlisle

Cornerways Guest House in Carlisle

Cornerways Guest House harks back to 160 years ago. Along with the unique historical charm, you’ll enjoy free Wi-Fi, TV, and a complimentary breakfast.

Quarryside Inn in Banks

Quarryside Inn in Banks

Let this quaint farmhouse relax you during your stay. To top it off, Quarryside Inn comes with Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and a TV in your room.

The Twice Brewed Inn in Once Brewed

The Twice Brewed Inn in Once Brewed

The Twice Brewed Inn grants trekkers with the ideal mid-trip getaway: free Wi-Fi and breakfast, a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, and a TV in your room.

Simonburn Tearooms and B&B in Chollerford

Simonburn Tearooms and B&B in Chollerford

This lovely B&B, complete with a lush outdoor seating area, will have you feeling relaxed and full. They serve amazing British cuisine that can cater to special diets.

Hotel Hadrian’s Barn in Heddon-on-the-Wall

Hotel Hadrian’s Barn in Heddon-on-the-Wall

This charming, quaint hotel, just 12.8 km from Newcastle’s centre offers free Wi-Fi around the property, free breakfast, and a kitchenette in the rooms.

Caledonian Hotel in Wallsend

Caledonian Hotel in Wallsend

This hotel seamlessly blends comfort with necessary benefits: free Wi-Fi, a bar, restaurant, a breakfast buffet, and a TV in your room.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Planning a group trip?

Learn how we help group of friends, outdoor clubs and families get the tour they’ve been dreaming about.

Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour Details

Overview for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

One of the best walks in the UK is the Hadrian’s Wall Path. This self-guided walking tour allows you to explore beautiful Northern England, while enjoying the history and beauty of the English Countryside.

Discover a concoction of ancient history, lush flora, and friendly fauna on this seven-day excursion along Hadrian’s Wall Path. Hadrian’s Wall acted as a divide between England and Scotland 2,000 years ago. The iconic Wall, stretching over 135 kilometres (84 miles), winds through rolling countryside, other ancient wonders, and quaint villages.

While not an intense walk, this self-guided walking tour demands long distances and is not for beginners. The pilgrimage along this UNESCO World Heritage site will have you reminiscing on stories of the past while living out one of the most magical chapters of your life.

Itinerary for Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour

Carlisle to bowness-on-solway.

Drop your bags off at your hotel in Carlisle before hopping on a local bus to Bowness-on-Solway. From here, you’ll make your way back to Carlisle by foot, enjoying beautiful views en route. You’ll see Drumburgh Castle, beautiful countryside, forested paths, the charming village of Beaumont, and Bitts Park. Finish the day with a relaxing evening in Carlisle.

Walk to Banks

For those that love history, you can opt to explore the 900-year-old Carlisle Castle. Otherwise embark on a 21-kilometre (13 miles) walk to Banks. Expect to encounter a plethora of farms and animals as you walk and to catch a glimpse of Hadrian’s Wall. Spend the night recharging in Banks.

Walk to Once Brewed

Get ready for another 21 km walk today, one that explodes with glimpses of Roman history. Start the journey in Banks and discover the most unspoiled turret on the west end of the Wall. In addition to some beautiful walking in the English Countryside, you’ll see another historic monument: Thirlwall Castle. Enjoy a relaxing evening in Once Brewed.

Walk to Chollerford

Start your day with an energizing breakfast before embarking on one of the most rewarding days of this seven-day pilgrimage. Notice how Hadrian’s Wall follows the undulations of the rolling hills while admiring the scenic views as you meander across the ridge. Pay attention to the remains of fortresses, turrets, and other ruins en route. Check into your hotel in Chollerford, slip off your walking shoes, and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Walk to Heddon-on-the-Wall

Today’s walk is the longest day so far, so be sure to enjoy a big breakfast before tying up your laces. Today’s route goes through forested trails, meadows, and carved out roadside paths before reaching Heddon-on-the-Wall for the night.

Walk to Wallsend

Embark on your final 25 km on the Hadrian’s Wall Path to Wallsend, which is set along the banks of River Tyne. On this final leg, you’ll spend a majority of the walk admiring the explosion of vibrant green blanketing the land until you arrive in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Walking along River Tyne, enjoy one of the most spectacular ruins on this pilgrimage: Segedunum Roman Fort. It costs £6.00—paid locally—to enter, but it’s impossible not to stand in awe amid the excavated fort. Spend your last night in Wallsend.

Enjoy a rewarding breakfast before saying goodbye. Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s central train station is a 15 minute drive, while the airport is 20-25 minute away.

Tour Highlights

Highlights for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

Discover the unique history winding through England’s countryside as you walk 135 kilometres along Hadrian’s Wall Path.

Explore ancient history peppering the pathway and villages: Drumburgh Castle, Carlisle Castle, Thirlwall Castle, and Segedunum Roman Fort.

Learn to admire the rolling hills and undulating landscapes spanning England’s vast, green countryside.

Spend your evenings relaxing in cozy hotels situated in quaint, charming villages—and don’t be afraid to enjoy a pint or two at a local pub.

What's Included

What's included for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

6 breakfasts are included throughout the tour.

Transportation during the Tour

Transport for your luggage is included throughout the tour. You must make a way to the start of the trail yourself.

Also Included

  • Detailed route guide

Not included

  • Guide services
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not stated as ‘included’
  • Entry to Carlisle Castle
  • Entry to Segedunum Roman Fort

Optional Extras

  • Extra night before or after the tour

Dates & Prices

Dates and prices for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

This self-guided walking tour in England is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the price is fixed per person staying in a double room. Single rooms are also possible on request for an extra charge. Please note, that booking this tour on short notice might increase the tour price, as the accommodation options here are limited and on high demand.

  • Price per person staying in a double room - $1,125 USD

Accommodation

Reviews (16), reviews for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

There are no written reviews yet.

Add a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Thank you for submitting your review!

If you enjoyed your tour please consider leaving a Google review for 10Adventures to help others discover the world of custom adventure travel.

Tour Booking Process

Booking process for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

Submit Booking

Confirm Availability

Pay Deposit

Trip Confirmed!

Frequently asked questions for Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour

How hard is the Hadrian’s Wall Path Walk?

We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You should be able to walk up to 25 km daily.

Do I need a visa to travel to England?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website , though you should verify with your government.

I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?

Self-guided traveling is not difficult! For many it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. You don’t need to carry lots of things with you and can only carry your daypack, as your luggage will be picked up from your hotel daily in the morning and delivered to your destination hotel.

Are meals included on the Hadrian’s Wall Path Walk?

6 breakfasts are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance .

How do I get to Carlisle to start this tour?

Carlisle can be reached by train from all the major cities in England.

Is the Hadrian’s Wall Path Walk in English?

Yes, the tour guide speaks English.

Where does the Hadrian’s Wall Path Walk end?

This tour ends in Wallsend.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for England?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Tour Difficulty

Difficulty for hadrian’s wall walking tour.

Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

This tour was made for you!

Start filling out your booking details. Once you submit your request, we'll review availability for this tour and contact you within 24 hours to further customize your perfect adventure.

Why book with 10 Adventures?

Your trip. your way..

Make lifelong memories with the people you care about most. We specialize in custom & private active travel experiences.

Travel made easy.

Spend your time making memories, not planning them. Enjoy a stress-free vacation and leave the trip logistics to us.

You matter to us.

No bots here. A real human is always a click or a call away to ensure you get the adventure of your dreams.

Travel authentically.

Immerse yourself in the destination with highly-vetted, local tour operators who love to showcase where they live.

We make it easy for travellers to book private travel experiences, so they can make memories exploring the world with the people that matter most.

— Richard Campbell, CEO

Tours in Europe by Country

Tours in england by region, hiking tours in england by region, northern england tours by activity, get travel inspiration and discounts.

Join our weekly travel newsletter

  • Login | Sign up

Hadrian's Wall Walk

Hadrian's wall.

  • The Hadrian's Wall, an area of AONB and a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Walk east to west the same way the Romans constructed the wall back in AD122 
  • Revel in the wild and beautiful landscapes of Northumberland National Park
  • Enjoy cosy pubs and welcoming B&B's along the route
  • Discover the Roman Forts of Segedunum, Chesters and Housesteads
  • Walltown Crags, the most scenic spot to view Hadrian's Wall

Immerse yourself in history with a walking holiday on Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail. Hadrian’s Wall is Europe’s largest surviving Roman monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opened as a National Trail in 2003, Hadrian’s Wall Path follows the course of the wall closely along its entire length. Follow the path from coast to coast with Hadrian's Wall accompanying you much of the way from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. Or if you're short on time,  take in the best sections on the Best of Hadrian's Wall Path  as featured in the Telegraph . 

Since 2005, Macs Adventure has been booking self guided adventures along Hadrian's Wall Path and have over 400 reviews from happy customers. We know the route inside-out and have built up great relationships with our lovely accommodations and baggage couriers, who will ensure that at the end of a great day's walking and discovering historical sites, you just need to put your feet up and relax! Our knowledgeable team are also able to choose the perfect itinerary for you, so you can book your Hadrian's Wall walk with confidence and simply look forward to discovering one of Britain's most popular long distance walks!

The below itineraries are for those looking to walk the Hadrian's Wall Path from east to west. If you are looking to walk it in the opposite direction   then please visit our west-to-east collection .

hadrian's wall path tour

Featured Adventures - Hadrian's Wall

Send us your Macs Moment at the finish in Bowness

Hadrian's Wall Path - 8 Days & 7 Nights

Liquid refreshments at the Greyhound Inn

Hadrian's Wall Path - 10 Days & 9 Nights

Walk parallel to the wall on the way to Gilsland

Hadrian's Wall Path - 7 Days & 6 Nights

Some solid sections of the Wall still remain

Hadrian's Wall Short Break

Drinks at the Howard Arms in Brampton

Best of Hadrian's Wall Path - 7 Days & 6 Nights

Peel Crag

Best of Hadrian's Wall Path - 6 Days & 5 Nights

Discover hadrian's wall.

The honest truth is that there is no right or wrong way to walk the Hadrian's Wall Path - it really comes down to personal preference but it can often be a bit of a hot topic! Below are the most commonly known reasons why people opt to walk in a particular way:

East to West – most popular (Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway)

  • The Romans built the wall from east to west, starting at the North Sea and going to the Irish Sea, so many walkers do it this way as it gives the sense of you are following the same path that the Roman soldiers did when they constructed it
  • There are some great museums - Great Hancock and Segedunum Fort - in Newcastle that give a wonderful context to the history and culture of the walk before you start (as opposed to finish).
  • Easier connections to Newcastle from Airports/train stations at the start (so if you have a long flight for example, you don't need to make your way to Bowness-on-Solway in the evening or potentially spend an extra night in Newcastle). it's also argued that it's nicer to walk out of a big industrial city into the fresh air of the countryside as opposed to finishing in it.

West to East (Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend)

  • The main reason for walking it west to east is that the prevailing winds in Northern England generally blow from the Atlantic (west to east), meaning you will have the wind at your back for most of the journey, which of course makes things a little easier.
  • Taking the wind factor out of things, the trail is considered slightly easier to walk west to east as the terrain is slightly less steep and heads downward.

In what direction should you walk the Hadrian's Wall?

Macs Adventure has been running self-guided walking holidays on the  Hadrian's Wall Path since 2005 . Our second-ever trip, Hadrian's Wall Path was an obvious choice.  Not long opened in 2003 it gave people a chance to walk alongside history, through some beautiful landscapes and we just knew that our customers would love it. We now send over 1500 walkers along Hadrian's Wall every year and have over 500 Reviews to back up how much work we put in to ensure every single customer has a great experience. 

We offer many variations of  Hadrian's Wall  including options to walk it east to west or west to east, multiple itineraries to suit all different levels of ability, including the full trail for the purists, the "best of "experience for those looking to see the best bits with the wall still intact and even a short break for those looking to visit over a long weekend. 

On the trail, we use high-quality digital mapping and detailed route notes within our Macs app, so that you can be sure you never get lost! All our tours, see you stay in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodations in local B&Bs and guesthouses . We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and scenery of Northern England. You can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We love Hadrian's Wall Path and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.  

Why book your Hadrian's Wall trip with Macs Adventure?

How Long? When?  The most essential facts about the wall would be how long it is and when was it built. The 73-mile-long wall was constructed in 117AD by Emperor Hadrian, to separate the Roman Empire from the northern Barbarians. In its glory, the wall was around 15 feet high and 10 feet wide.

Who actually built it?  It took around 15,000 men over six years to build the wall. There were three main Roman garrisons stationed in England and Wales and all of these men were put to work building the wall. Hadrian himself had a keen interest in architecture and is thought to have designed it. At Chesters, you can see the names of the centurions who actually built the wall, carved into stone tablets. 

How much of the wall still exists?  Only around 10% of the original wall still remains. While much of the land is still shaped to accommodate the wall, the stone itself was re-purposed or buried after the wall was abandoned. Many local buildings are said to be built from the stone from Hadrian's Wall. 

Is this the border between Scotland and England?  No, it never was.  It marked the border of the Roman Empire before they headed further north and created the Antonine Wall, before retreating back to the more secure Hadrian's Wall. Most of Northumberland, England's largest county, is north of the wall, so the wall definitely does not indicate the border. 

Essential Hadrian's Wall Facts

Take a Break  - Especially if you are there for a good slice of history, taking a break on the walk is essential.  This will give you more time to explore one of the museums on the route. An extra night in Once Brewed, for instance, will let you have more time at Housesteads. For more information, take a look at our blog -  6 best Historical Sites on Hadrian's Wall Path  for some inspiration. 

Preserve the History  -  Oh, it is tempting, to walk along the top of the wall, to do a little dance on it for your trip video. However, the wall is pretty old and needs a bit of TLC so being on the wall is frowned upon. Also, walking over lumps and bumps in the ground should be avoided where possible as there could be archaeological goodies waiting to be found. You wouldn't want to be unknowingly crushing some poor foot soldiers' amphora! 

Make sure you have the right gear -  Take a look at our  Hadrian's Wall equipment blog  for more details – as this can make a big difference to how enjoyable you find the walk.  For this particular walk, its all about the boots. Make sure you have comfortable, waterproof boots with a couple of pairs of good walking socks.

Meet the locals. -  Quite often the B&B owners and locals are the best people to speak to about ideas for alternative routes, places to see, lunch stops etc. This local knowledge can really help make your walk go as smoothly as possible. 

Top Tips for Hadrian's Wall Path

Thinking of walking Hadrian's Wall Path, but don't know where to start? 

Macs Adventure to the rescue! Simply download our Free 14-page Hadrian's Wall Path guide from the link below to read on your phone, tablet or good old printed page.  

Download your Free Hadrian's Wall Path Guide

Download our Free Hadrian's Wall Path Guide

Hadrian's Wall Path follows the route of the UNESCO world heritage wall, built to keep the "barbarians" (Scots!) out of Roman territory.  This outstanding historical site is punctuated with milecastles, museums and recreations, not to mention some of the best walking in England.  

Eating and Drinking on the Hadrian's Wall Walk

Follow us on social media

  • twitter-x-logo@2x

A Broken Backpack

Hadrian’s Wall Walk Suggested Itinerary

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Nov 8, 2023 | Europe , Travel Tips , United Kingdom

There is nothing better than exploring a new country using your two feet and an ambitious heart. The epic 84 mile, coast to coast Hadrian’s wall walk in England, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers just the opportunity for avid hikers to try out their hiking skills, in the backdrop of spectacular countryside.

The foundation of this archeological masterpiece was laid way back in AD 122 by the enterprising Roman emperor Hadrian to serve as a protection for the northern part of the country.

Ready To Travel? Don't Go Without Travel Insurance.

Check Prices

It stretches across a large portion of England, from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-sea in the west, culminating at Cumbria.

With timely restoration, conservationists have managed to preserve a major portion of the wall even till today. Walking enthusiasts are encouraged to either do the entire trek or in parts depending on their personal choice.

One thing is assured though, that whether you do a short nine-mile stroll or a longer hike, you will be always close to some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes to be found anywhere in the world, showcasing Ango-Roman history at its best.

The walk is relatively easy, along trails mostly of grass and dirt except for some parts which are steep and can become tricky to traverse, especially in wet conditions.

This specially designed route planner will give you all the information you need from stages, distances and lodging for the most popular six days and seven nights itinerary.

There are various other alternatives, but this one has been found to be a repeat hit with clients who often look for the best.

Hadrians Wall United Kingdom

Hadrian’s Wall Walk Suggested Itinerary Overview

This rewarding hike is planned to allow you ample time to settle down, check on the walk information and talk to the organizers if you need it.

An extra night has therefore been added to make camp the night before at Wallsend. On the last day, it is suggested to spend the final evening, over a warm fire and a drink in the company of fellow finishers to make the whole walking challenge all the more appealing.

Hadrian's Wall Walk route itinerary

You hike from Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-wall for a distance of 15 miles or 24 km.

Walk from Heddon-on-the-wall to Chollerford for 15 miles or 24 km.

Walk from Chollerford to Once Brewed  covering 12 miles or 19 km.

Walk from Once Brewed to Lanercost  for a distance of 14.5 miles or 23 km.

Walk from Lanercost to Carlisle for a distance of 13 miles or 21 km.

Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway for a distance of 14.5 miles or 23 km.

Hadrian’s Wall Accommodation

As lodging and transport facilities are limited at Bowness, the itinerary has been fixed to end the trek of the last day here itself. Local buses and taxis connect to Carlisle, which has an excellent transport network link with both South England and Scotland .

Accommodation is selected carefully with reputed guesthouses, inns, hotels and B&B’s, conforming to high standards, with all ensuite amenities.

The entire walk route has a sparse population and in places, your night stay options may be located at a distance from the main route. In such cases, if requested, a reliable pickup service can be arranged with prior intimation.

Some of the names of the accommodation which are recommended are given here.

Alternate staying arrangements of a similar category can also be arranged.

  • Wormaid House, Ryedale
  • The Angel, Corbridge
  • Callum Lodge, Once Brewed
  • Howard Lodge, Carlisle

Please remember that though single rooms can be made available to members of a party, the option may not always be available to all. Solo walkers need to pay a single supplement fee.

Also, if the accommodation listed on the itinerary is not available due to any circumstances, guests may have to be given rooms in other hotels of the same if not better category.

Hadrian’s Wall Tour Cost

The tour cost covers the accommodation from one night prior to the tour till the end of the walk when the holiday is over.

Hadrian's Wall Walk itinerary

Accommodation in top class places matching three or four-star standard

A door to door luggage transfer free for one piece of baggage weighing up to 18 kg. Extra bags can be transferred by paying an additional charge, only at the time of booking and not later.

Information pack having all information, map and a guidebook, with a list of essentials. Holiday pack to be precise.

Full English breakfast or Continental each morning is included in the booking price. For lunch packed food can be arranged if desired at an extra cost. Dinner can be had at any of the pubs or dining options that are available near your place of stay.

In case a good restaurant is not there in the vicinity, a meal can either be provided at your room or transport arranged to take you to a good pub or restaurant.

In the case of special dietary requirements or vegetarian food, the same can be provided if intimated at the time of booking.

What To Pack For Hadrian’s Wall Walk

The list of outdoor items given here may be cumbersome but is best advised to be prepared for all types of environmental eventualities, irrespective of the time of the year.

  • A good pair of comfortable walking boots
  • Thick walking socks(few pairs)
  • Sun hat and a warm hat
  • Raincoat with hood.
  • Fleece wear
  • Torch with spare cells
  • Walking sticks
  • Phone with charger
  • First aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, and bandages.

General Information About Hadrian’s Wall Walk

If you decide to bring a bicycle to tour the remote areas, be sure you are experienced enough and are well equipped to handle the trip.

Children, even up to the age of six, have managed to do these walks, providing, of course, they are fit enough and have the bare essentials. The hotels , though, do not offer any discounts for children, unless booked in a family room, which comes at a better rate.

Dogs are accommodated on most of the routes which cater to them. One route which does not allow pets is the coast-to-coast path. It is best to get all the information from the agency regarding booking with dogs, beforehand.

The Hadrian’s wall walk has so many attractions, that getting to know when and from where to begin can become quite a nightmare.

The itinerary suggested above is purely inspirational and needs to act as a guideline.

Should you wish to mix and match the activities and attractions or explore other lesser-known parts of Hadrian’s wall, an itinerary can be arranged accordingly and that do in a super simple manner.

Final Thoughts On Hadrians’s Wall Walk Route Planner

We hope this guide was helpful and that you have a better idea of how to organize your Hadrian’s wall walk and itinerary. We hope you enjoy your stay!

hadrian's wall path tour

MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

BOOK HOTEL ON BOOKING.COM

BOOK HOSTEL ON HOSTELWORLD

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

LEARN HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG

LEARN HOW TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD

hadrian's wall path tour

IMAGES

  1. Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour (Self-Guided, England)

    hadrian's wall path tour

  2. Hadrian's Wall Path Walking Holidays

    hadrian's wall path tour

  3. Hadrian’s Wall Walking Tour (Self-Guided, England)

    hadrian's wall path tour

  4. Hadrian's Wall Path

    hadrian's wall path tour

  5. Your Top Guide to the Hadrian’s Wall Walk (A Route Built by the Roman

    hadrian's wall path tour

  6. Hiking Tours England

    hadrian's wall path tour

VIDEO

  1. Hadrian’s Wall Path

  2. Hadrian's Wall Path

  3. Hadrian’s Wall Path

  4. Hadrian’s Wall Path

  5. Hadrian's Wall Path Walk

  6. Hadrian’s Wall Path

COMMENTS

  1. Hadrian's Wall Path (East to West)

    Hadrian's Wall Path is a long distance National Trail in the north of England. It runs for 135km (84 miles), from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast, and it became the 15th National Trail in 2003. With its well-maintained paths and few climbs, Hadrian's Wall Path is often considered to be the ...

  2. Hadrian's Wall Walking Tours

    Hadrian's Wall Path - West to East - 10 Days & 9 Nights. A rewarding walk alongside Hadrian's Wall, an iconic British landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From $1,565.00. Activity. Level. Accommodations. Level. More Info. Type Classic Routes.

  3. Hadrian's Wall Path

    Hadrian's Wall is Europe's largest surviving Roman monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opened in 2003, the Hadrian's Wall Path follows the course of the Roman barrier closely along its entire length. It is one of Britain's most popular long-distance walks, and one of our most popular walking holidays. Walk through the wild and ...

  4. Hadrian's Wall Tours & Vacations

    Located about halfway on the Hadrian's Wall Path, Housesteads Fort is arguably the most impressive and complete example of a Roman fort in Britain. The walls are up to 10 feet tall in sections and you can see the remains of a barracks block, hospital and flushable communal toilets where 800 soldiers lived and worked.

  5. Home

    Whether you're walking the Hadrian's Wall Path, visiting a historic site, or just out for a hike in Wall Country, make the most of your visit with Hadrian Walking Tours. Let an archaeological expert be your guide to one of ancient Rome's greatest monuments. Get the facts about what we really know (and what we really don't) and keep up to date ...

  6. Walking on Hadrian's Wall Path

    Hadrian´s Wall Path in 10 days. Duration 10 Days / 9 Nights. Grade. Start / Finish Newcastle / Bowness-on-Solway. Distance 152 km / 94,6 miles. Trip Style Self Guided. Availability. Availability. April - October.

  7. Hadrian's Wall Path Relaxed

    Opened in 2003, the 135km Hadrian's Wall Path follows the course of the Roman wall closely along its entire length from Wallsend to Bowness on Solway and is one of Britain's most popular long distance walks. Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the emperor Hadrian.

  8. Hadrian's Wall Path

    Length: 84 mile (135 km) The Hadrian's Wall Path is an 84 mile (135 km) long National Trail stretching coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast. The National Trail follows the line of the Hadrian's Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing through ...

  9. Walking Hadrian's Wall Path

    Overview. This eight day, self-guided adventure walking Hadrian's Wall Path takes you along England's iconic National Trail, from east to west. Start in Newcastle on the North Sea and complete your Roman ramble of 135km at Solway Firth on the Irish Sea, with some transfers to help you along the way from your cosy accommodations.

  10. Walk Hadrian's Wall Path

    Hadrian's Wall Path. A walk between Wallsend and Bowness-on-Solway, following the impressive remains of Hadrian's Wall. 3 to 12 nights. 27-84 miles. Easy / Moderate to Strenuous. From £340 per person. Find your holiday.

  11. 6 Day Trail Walk

    Distances: 55 to 84 Miles | 5 Comfort / Accommodation Choices. In six days, you can walk the whole 84 miles of the National Trail Path, or a shorter distance can offer more time to explore sites along the way. There is a choice of five different B&B Accommodation & service levels, ranging from. £ 499 - £ 825 *.

  12. Best of Hadrian's Wall Path

    Opened in 2003, the Hadrian's Wall Path follows the course of the Roman barrier closely along its entire length. It is one of Britain's most popular long-distance walks, and one of our most popular walking holidays. Hadrian's Wall Path is extremely well waymarked, making it simple to follow and allowing you more time to relax and soak it in.

  13. Home

    Tom Stimson, USA July 2022. Visit Hadrian's Wall HIKE THE WALL YOUR WAYDiscover the incredible Roman construction right here in the North of England. We arrange self guided walking trips ranging from 3 Days up to 10 Days. One visit - a lifetime of memories Discover our tours EXPLORE 6 Day Tours 5 Day Tours 10 Day Tours Visit the.

  14. Hadrian's Wall Path

    Self-guided hike on the Hadrian's Wall Path. The Hadrian's Wall Path is a 135 km long National Trail that crosses northern England, following the course of the wall closely along its entire length from the North Sea to the Irish Sea. Hadrian's Wall, also known as the Roman Wall, is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of ...

  15. Hadrian's Wall Walking Tour (Self-Guided, England)

    Discover a concoction of ancient history, lush flora, and friendly fauna on this seven-day excursion along Hadrian's Wall Path. Hadrian's Wall acted as a divide between England and Scotland 2,000 years ago. The iconic Wall, stretching over 135 kilometres (84 miles), winds through rolling countryside, other ancient wonders, and quaint villages.

  16. Hadrian's Wall Path self-guided walking tours

    Hadrian's Wall Path - 10 Days & 9 Nights. A rewarding walk alongside Hadrian's Wall, an iconic British landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From £940.00. Grade. Comfort. More Info. Type Classic Routes. 7 Days. 601 Reviews.

  17. Hadrian's Wall Walk Suggested Itinerary

    Hadrian's Wall Tour Cost. The tour cost covers the accommodation from one night prior to the tour till the end of the walk when the holiday is over. ... One route which does not allow pets is the coast-to-coast path. It is best to get all the information from the agency regarding booking with dogs, beforehand.