Walk 
5 to 11 nights
35 to 84 mls (km)
Northern England
Easy to Challenging 
Mar to Oct
£540
Walk Coast-to-Coast along Hadrian’s Wall
- Walk the length of the largest ancient monument in Northern Europe, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
- The beauty of the Northumberland National Park - the least populated and most remote in the UK
- Panoramic views from Housesteads Roman Fort, set high on a rugged escarpment commanding 360 degree views
- Roman Forts of Segedunum, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald
- Vindolanda - unmissable Roman Camp and Military museum, just south of Hadrian's Wall
- Solway Coast National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Walking Through History
Hadrian’s Wall Path takes you from Wallsend by the River Tyne through the remote spectacular scenery of central Northumbria, descending, past Carlisle, to the lonely marshes of the Solway, the most northerly point of the Roman Empire.
Carving through the unpopulated Northumbrian landscape, the combination of rugged beauty and history makes for stimulating walking. Along the walk are fascinating ruins and history; you pass turrets, forts and milecastles brimming with Roman history and archaeology.
Hadrian's Wall: the largest Roman artefact
In AD 122, Hadrian’s Wall was constructed by the soldiers of Hadrian’s 2nd and 6th legions. It took just over a decade to build the 73-mile barrier coast to coast across England, guarding the northern limits of the Roman Empire. This astonishing achievement remains the largest ancient monument in northern Europe and a Roman World Heritage Site. Large garrison forts like Birdoswald were built all along the line. Stretched out between these, every third of a mile, was a watchturret, and every mile, smaller forts known as mileforts.
These structures enabled the Romans to command with efficiency and speed, as every milecastle turret could directly see a fort. In its heyday, this intimidating structure was manned by 10,000 soldiers.
Walking Hadrian’s Wall, it is impossible not to become fascinated by the history and feel the presence of everyday Roman military and domestic life.
Path Walkthrough
The path is widely regarded as one of the more accessible, less challenging National Trail paths, with routes over moorland and rolling fields reaching their highest point at 345 meters (Green Slack). However, the walk can be fairly wild in places, with grassy paths shifting to craggy sandstone typical to this area, skirting around some of the higher escarpments off the side of the path itself.
With the wall at your side, navigation is not an issue when it comes to walking Hadrian's Wall Path. The route is also well marked with National Trail way-markers, and you’ll be well-equipped with guidebooks and route information.
Our Hadrian’s Wall Path Itineraries
Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend (W-E)
Distance: 84 miles (135km)
HWP1W-E
11 Nights
from £1190
HWP10W-E
10 Nights
from £1085
HWP2aW-E
9 Nights
from £995
HWP2bW-E
9 Nights
from £1030
HWP11W-E
8 Nights
from £885
HWP3W-E
7 Nights
from £775
HWP12W-E
6 Nights
from £680
Walk West To East
Walking Hadrian’s Wall Path from West to East is physically easier and typically more picturesque than the conventional East to West direction.
Hadrian’s Wall was built across the beautiful, but wild Northumbrian countryside. Weather on England’s northernmost border can prove unpredictable; walking eastwards, in poor conditions, you have wind and rain at your back, not driving against you.
In fine weather (come summer there is plenty), the afternoon sun is behind you, not in your eyes and the emerging light brings those far flung corners of the terrain into focus. Many classic views are arguably best seen from West to East – such as Crag Lough, Cuddy’s Crags, Sewingshield Crags and Limestone Corner.
Walking East from Solway coast to Wallsend, Roman sites become progressively interesting. Each day peels back insights and examples of everyday Roman military and domestic life as you head from Carlisle towards Newcastle-which seems anti-climactic when travelling East to West. Plus, Newcastle is a wonderful place to end your walk and perhaps spend an extra day of your trip.
Best of Hadrian’s Wall Corbridge to Brampton
Distance: 35 miles (56km)
HWP4E-W
5 Nights
from £545
HWP4aE-W
6 Nights
from £755
Walk the Best of Hadrian's Wall
For a shorter break, we've put together two itineraries that takes in some of the more memorable aspects of the wall's history. You'll visit some of the most significant Roman sites in the area, staying in quaint Cumbrian and Northumbrian towns along the way with our dedicated itinerary.
Best of Hadrian’s Wall Path Brampton to Corbridge
Distance: 35 miles (56km)
HWP4aW-E
6 Nights
from £750
HWP4W-E
5 Nights
from £540
Walk the Best of Hadrian's Wall
For a shorter break, we've put together two itineraries that takes in some of the more memorable aspects of the wall's history. You'll visit some of the most significant Roman sites in the area, staying in quaint Cumbrian and Northumbrian towns along the way with our dedicated itinerary.
Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway (E-W)
Distance: 84 miles (135km)
HWP1E-W
11 Nights
from £1195
HWP10E-W
10 Nights
from £1090
HWP2aE-W
9 Nights
from £1005
HWP2bE-W
9 Nights
from £1030
HWP11E-W
8 Nights
from £890
HWP3E-W
7 Nights
from £775
HWP12E-W
6 Nights
from £685
Walk East to West
The customary way to walk Hadrian’s Wall is East to West, for three old accepted reasons:
- Hadrian built his Wall starting in Newcastle, mainly for ease of supply of materials and military backup.
- Exploration of the Roman sites progressed westwards from Newcastle, and archaeologically numbered and mapped in that direction, rather than for any walking.
- When Hadrian’s Wall Path was designated a National Trail, the National Trail Guide (the only guide at the time) described the Trail in this direction. This has since changed with the support of excellent guidebooks, as well as the Harvey walker’s map which caters for both directions that Celtic Trails supplies. Today, there are also useful mobile apps to help you along the way.
Classic Plus: Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend (W-E)
Distance: 84 miles (135km)
HWP5W-E
11 Nights
from £1830
HWP6W-E
9 Nights
from £1475
HWP7W-E
7 Nights
from £1165
'Classic Plus' Upgrade
We can upgrade your accommodation on this trail to a higher standard to include country inns, country house B&Bs, small hotels and a charming boutique country hotel. As with our other itineraries - we can adjust and tailor a custom 'Classic Plus' itinerary to your needs.
Classic Plus: Best of Hadrian’s Wall
Distance: 35 miles (56km)
HWP8E-W
5 Nights
from £840
'Classic Plus' Upgrade
We can upgrade your accommodation on this trail to a higher standard to include country inns, country house B&Bs, small hotels and a charming boutique country hotel. As with our other itineraries - we can adjust and tailor a custom 'Classic Plus' itinerary to your needs.
Classic Plus: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway (E-W)
Distance: 84 miles (135km)
HWP5E-W
11 Nights
from £1835
HWP6E-W
9 Nights
from £1480
HWP7E-W
7 Nights
from £1170
'Classic Plus' Upgrade
We can upgrade your accommodation on this trail to a higher standard to include country inns, country house B&Bs, small hotels and a charming boutique country hotel. As with our other itineraries - we can adjust and tailor a custom 'Classic Plus' itinerary to your needs.
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our Hadrian’s Wall Path holidays are available to walk March to October.
Holiday arrival/departure dates: You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Britain experiences its fair share of rainfall, and it's likely that you will encounter at least one downpour on your way across the wall. However, from April to September you're a lot more likely to experience extended daylight hours, with dry conditions for walking.
Airports: Newcastle Airport (served by domestic/European flights).
Tyneside Metro connects Newcastle Airport with Newcastle City Centre (30 minutes journey) and Wallsend (Segedunum Roman Fort).
Manchester Airport (served by international flights). Rail connection to Carlisle/Newcastle.
Rail: Railway stations are located in Newcastle, Corbridge, Brampton and Carlisle. www.nationalrail.co.uk
Coach: Coach stations, for the National Express, are located at all major airports, Newcastle and Carlisle. www.nationalexpress.com
Bus: For bus services in Cumbria and Newcastle respectively:
www.stagecoachbus.com
www.travelinenortheast.info
The 93 bus service runs between Carlisle train station and Bowness on Solway (except Sundays).
Car: If you prefer to arrive by car, we can make arrangements for your car to be parked at a B&B in Bowness on Solway (from £8 per night).
Taxi
Bowness on Solway to Carlisle - prices available upon request.
Newcastle Airport to City Centre: Your own arrangement. There is a taxi rank outside the airport. Should you wish to pre-book, we can provide taxi contact numbers for you to arrange a suitable collection (please note that car parking and waiting time fees may apply).
Carlisle to Newcastle City Centre - prices available upon request.
Tailoring Your Hadrian's Wall Path Walking Holiday
Above are our standard itineraries; each option provides you with varying degrees of immersion into the journey - all afford you the time to take in the unconfined beauty of the Northumbrian countryside. If you would like to make adjustments to any of our itineraries, let us know your requirements when you enquire. We'll be more than happy to advise you and provide options for your journey ahead. Call us on 01291 689774, and one of the team can advise you.
Celtic Trails is one of Britain’s most experienced walking holiday companies, providing tailored walking itineraries for clients who appreciate high standards of service, comfort and organisation. We will plan your ideal walking holiday along Hadrian’s Wall Path, you simply choose when to go!
📷Housesteads section of Hadrians Wall
📷Looking eastwards along the Whin Sill and Hadrian's Wall
📷Whin Sill - the natural barrier used by the Romans to keep out the barbarians
📷Enjoy the view across the old quarry with Cawfields Crag as backdrop
📷Hadrian's Wall
📷Hadrian's Wall © Visit England