By Dylan Murphy

One of The Best Walks in The UK – Hadrian’s Wall Walk

landscape photography of grey bricked wall near mountain

Hadrian’s Wall is indeed a paradise for any hiker and trekker. After all, one finds themselves surrounded by stunning landscapes and the most beautiful parts of England as they walk through the rugged landscapes and rolling fields.

In this article, you will learn all about Hadrian’s Wall walk and its incredible routes and trails for hiking.

The history behind

Hadrian’s Wall is the largest surviving Roman monument in Europe. Built in AD122, under the patronage of Emperor Hadrian, the 73 miles long Wall stretches between Newcastle towards the east and the Solway Firth towards the West. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the protected landscape comprises fascinating Roman sites, turrets, and castles such as Vindolanda, Housteads Fort, Birdoswald Fort, Chesters Fort, and Segadunum. The aim of building the Wall was to protect the northern extreme of the Roman Empire from the bloody border feuds.

Although most of the walks are on relatively flat terrain, some sections can be quite challenging because of uneven ground. Just follow the guide to Walking Hadrian’s Wall for the best experience and a memorable time.

Enjoy exploring the different trails and walk at your own pace as you go for a walking holiday along Hadrian’s Wall. When choosing your route, you need to pay attention to your location and the mileage of different trails. Most people prefer to walk from east to west in the prevailing wind direction, but one can take whatever direction suits them. Along the Hadrian’s Wall Path, you will pass through rural areas with small villages and towns such as Once Brewed, Chollerford, Carlisle, and Lanercost.

Most tourists recommend west-to-east walks because of the favorable weather conditions, and they complete the Hadrian’s Wall in five to ten days. You may need extra days to cover a full coast-to-coast walk at a leisurely pace.

So, which are the most popular walks along Hadrian’s Wall? Read on to know more.

Bowness-on-Solway to Gilsland – 35 miles and 3 days

Start from the small town of Bowness-on-Solway in the Cumbrian section of the Wall that feels like a picture book of the English countryside. Stay the night at Carlisle city and explore local cafes and wineries for local beers, wines, and tapas. Walk towards the beautiful village on the Cumbrian border, which is split by the River Irthing. The trail is designed for those who want to enjoy and experience the solitude of the English countryside and see the archaeological remains of the Wall.

Corbridge to Brampton – 39 miles and 4 days

If you have limited time and still want to enjoy the Hadrian’s Wall walks, pick Corbridge to Brampton route, which happens to be the most dramatic section. The impressive landscape stretches all along the Wall as you start from the pleasant market town of Corbridge. As you pass through the rolling countryside, you will come across some incredible Roman constructions and get a feel of the local history.

The Crags – 22 miles and 2 days

The Crags are popular among hikers as they are the most beautiful part of Hadrian’s Wall walk and the most challenging. Millions of years have gone behind the geological phenomenon that has created a series of dolerite cliffs as the bedrock lava leaked upwards. Enjoy nature and the igneous Wall along the north-facing cliff edge. Halfway along, you will find the most famous Roman fort Housesteads, which was home to hundreds of Roman soldiers.

Humshaugh to Gilsland – 26 miles and 3 days

Humshaugh to Gilsland route is one of the shortest and focuses on those parts of the

Hadrian’s Wall where the Wall is intact and surrounded by the most spectacular landscapes. Thus, you get plenty of time to look around and explore Roman remains and castle ruins. The classic section of Hadrian’s Wall will take you across the rolling countryside where you can enjoy the best views ever.

Corbridge to Carlisle – 52 miles and 4 days

This Hadrian’s Wall walk starts from Corbridge and finishes at Carlisle. The colorful autumn trek takes you through the Roman era and brings back those vivid images of history. If you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life and in completely secluded spots, this is the route to pick. Suddenly you will find the grey Wall running through green fields and down steep outcrops.

Newcastle to Bowness – 93 miles and 4 days

Get ready for a fantastic adventure on this fantastic walk from Newcastle to Bowness. The whole route will take you across something beautiful and historical all the time. It is an incredible experience as you come across other people on the trail and meet locals. You will always find sheep and cows in abundance in the English countryside.

brown wooden fence on green grass field under blue sky during daytime

Each of these walking trips along Britain’s most famous Wall have been carefully picked based on the scenic routes and moderate level trek. The best part is that these trails can be covered within 3-4 days, and each of them has a peaceful charm of its own. Moreover, if you want, you can plan a dog-friendly holiday and bring your pet too for the walk. If you love nature, history and are an outdoor person,

Hadrian’s wall trails are just perfect for you for hiking.

Here are some extra tips for those planning to go on one of those Hadrian’s wall trails.

  • Take short walks of approximately 3-4 miles or longer walks of approximately 5- 6 miles.
  • The weather is generally mild in summer but can be unpredictable, so be prepared for sideways rain and heavy clouds. Temperature highs are generally in the high teens to low twenties in Celsius.
  • No matter what route you take, you will never be far from a restaurant or a café to enjoy hot coffee and a satisfying meal. All the bunkhouses and hotels offer a hearty meal at reasonable costs.
  • Although the terrain is gentle, there can be some rough patches as you pass through steep climbs and descents. So, watch your step, especially in wet weather, to avoid the chances of getting a sprained ankle.
  • The best time to hike the Hadrian’s Wall Path is between May and October when the weather is perfect, and the soil is drier. The routes are generally closed during the winter months because of fewer daylight hours.
  • Buy the Hadrian’s Wall Path Passport, and you can collect stamps along the hike. By the time you finish your walk, you should have completed your collection and will get a certificate of completion.
  • Book your accommodation early because of the incredible popularity of these hiking trails along Hadrian’s Wall Path. Start looking for hotels and B&Bs, and campsites as they get busier, especially during summer holidays and weekends.

What to pack