Hadrian’s Wall Walk

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Holidays

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

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

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

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

The Hadrian's Wall Path

Tynemouth to Bowness on Solway 86 miles/138 km

We offer 5 itineraries covering the whole route, 2 of which can be booked with dog-friendly accommodation (codes ending with a D). The longer the itinerary, the shorter you have to walk each day. The most popular options are 7 and 8 days.

Code Length Average per day Price range
HW7 6 days walking (7 nights) 14 miles/23 km $1517 - $1721 Full Info Book
HW8 7 days walking (8 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1663 - $1901 Full Info Book
HW8D 7 days walking (8 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1969 - $2207 Full Info Book
HW9 8 days walking (9 nights) 11 miles/18 km $1881 - $2154 Full Info Book
HW9D 8 days walking (9 nights) 11 miles/18 km $2123 - $2395 Full Info Book
HW10 9 days walking (10 nights) 10 miles/16 km $2115 - $2422 Full Info Book
HW11 10 days walking (11 nights) 9 miles/14 km $2332 - $2672 Full Info Book

Hadrian's Wall Highlights: Corbridge to Bowness on Solway

Corbridge to Bowness on Solway 65 miles/105 km

Unless you’re really intent on walking the whole official route, this is the most pleasant option if you’re looking for a longer walk. It covers nearly the whole route without spending time in the urban areas of Newcastle, where there isn't much of the wall to be seen. Many people choose to miss out the early part of the walk and start at Corbridge. There are also 2 dog-friendly options to choose from (codes ending with a D).

Code Length Average per day Price range
HWH6 5 days walking (6 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1314 - $1484 Full Info Book
HWH6D 5 days walking (6 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1583 - $1753 Full Info Book
HWH7 6 days walking (7 nights) 11 miles/18 km $1517 - $1721 Full Info Book
HWH7D 6 days walking (7 nights) 11 miles/18 km $1776 - $1980 Full Info Book
HWH8 7 days walking (8 nights) 9 miles/14 km $1663 - $1901 Full Info Book

Hadrian's Wall Highlights: Corbridge to Carlisle

Corbridge to Carlisle 51 miles/82 km

This version of the Highlights is similar to the holiday above as it misses out the urban area around Newcastle. This holiday finishes at Carlisle as there is little left of the Wall beyond here, although the Solway estuary beyond does have a peaceful charm of its own. Each of these holidays can be booked as a dog-friendly holiday. Just choose the codes ending with a D if you'd like to bring your dog with you.

Code Length Average per day Price range
HWC5 4 days walking (5 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1115 - $1251 Full Info Book
HWC5D 4 days walking (5 nights) 13 miles/21 km $1388 - $1524 Full Info Book
HWC6 5 days walking (6 nights) 10 miles/16 km $1314 - $1484 Full Info Book
HWC6D 5 days walking (6 nights) 10 miles/16 km $1583 - $1753 Full Info Book
HWC7 6 days walking (7 nights) 8 miles/13 km $1517 - $1721 Full Info Book
HWC7D 6 days walking (7 nights) 8 miles/13 km $1776 - $1980 Full Info Book

Best of Hadrian's Wall: Corbridge to Brampton

Corbridge to Brampton 40 miles/64 km

The Best of Hadrian's Wall holidays are popular for those with less time, or who want to concentrate on the most dramatic central section of the walk. Here the landscape is at its most impressive and large stretches of the wall still remain. This is our longest 'Best of' route, starting in the pleasant market town of Corbridge, where there is also an extensive Roman site.

Code Length Average per day Price range
HWB5 4 days walking (5 nights) 10 miles/16 km $1115 - $1251 Full Info Book

Best of Hadrian's Wall: Corbridge to Gilsland

Corbridge to Gilsland 30 miles/48 km

The best of Hadrian's Wall holidays are popular for those with less time, or who want to concentrate on the most dramatic central section of the walk. Here the landscape is at its most impressive and large stretches of the wall still remain. This holiday has the same itinerary as the Corbridge to Brampton route above, but finishes a day earlier. You can also bring your dog along; please select the code ending with a D if you would like the dog-friendly option.

Code Length Average per day Price range
HWB4A 3 days walking (4 nights) 10 miles/16 km $955 - $1057 Full Info Book
HWB4AD 3 days walking (4 nights) 10 miles/16 km $1092 - $1194 Full Info Book

Best of Hadrian's Wall: Humshaugh to Gilsland

Humshaugh to Gilsland 24 miles/39 km

This is our shortest route, concentrating exclusively on the section where the wall is intact, and the landscapes are at their most spectacular. Days are short, leaving plenty of time to look around the numerous forts, milecastles, and other Roman remains.

Code Length Average per day Price range
HWB4B 3 days walking (4 nights) 8 miles/13 km $955 - $1057 Full Info Book

Client Feedback

Your service is awseome. We had the adventure of a lifetime and cant thank you enough! You are the best – Many Thanks!!

Hadrian’s Wall Walk, August 2024
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Mickledore’s support and planning is so helpful and more than sufficient. Very responsive, always so quick.

Hadrian’s Wall Walk, June 2023
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This was a perfect holiday; everything ran smoothly and we didn’t have to worry about anything except the walking. Distances covered each day were very suitable for us, neither too long nor too short. A memorable experience which I would love to repeat elsewhere next time I’m holidaying in UK.

Hadrian’s Wall Walk, June 2023
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