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England – Hadrian’s Wall 10 Day Hike East to West (2025)

10 Days 9 Nights

This is the longer version of our Hadrians Wall walk. Though not longer in length, with the addition of a couple of extra days it generally lessens the length of some days, thus making it better for slower walkers, or perhaps those who want to spend more time visiting museums and historical sites. The Walk was officially opened in May 2003 after many years of negotiations with landlords and farmers to finalize the exact route which stretches 83 statute miles/133 km across town and country, forest and moorland, World Heritage Site and National Park. 

East to West: This tour describes route from Wallsend to Bowness on Solway.

To find the same route from West To East, see : England-Hadrian's Wall 10 Day Hike West to East (2025)

Overview

Hadrians Wall was started as long ago as 122 A.D! At this time, The Roman Emperor - Hadrian - was having a lot of trouble with the restless natives to the north; those devilish blue painted Pictish and assorted Caledonian warriors were causing mayhem across the wild Northern frontiers and hassling trade and settlement. It became imperative to create some kind of order and consolidate the extreme North of the Empire, especially after one of the legion divisions was withdrawn from Britain to fight the German tribes, leaving Britain under defended. The wall was built “to separate Romans from Barbarians,” across northern Britain at its narrowest point between the Solway Firth and the North Sea. In its original form it was built in 6 years over 73 modern miles (80 Roman ones).

It was extended and enhanced with impressive stone defences following natural ridge lines and with a deep ditch (The Vallum) dug alongside it. Later, much of the stonework was mortared allowing it to survive the centuries to become one of the oldest manmade structures in the country today. The amount of work and finance that would have gone into the wall was immense - even with slave or conscript labour. Small forts called "Milecastles" were built every Roman Mile over the whole of the route. At intervals huge garrison forts were built so that a counterattack or raid could be organised at short notice.

Things are more peaceful today, and much of the imposing defensive structures were dismantled and used for building and field wall stone. This means that you can enjoy “walking the wall” unmolested by Romans or barbarians, on this alternative Coast-to-Coast route. It is a great walk, with a lot of scenic variety from the modern, busy cityscapes of Newcastle Upon Tyne to the red sandstone hues of medieval Carlisle, from industrial Tyneside to the quiescence of Bowness on Solway.

From the barren blustery heights of Highshields Crags in the Northumberland National Park; to the lush, green pastoral scenes of the Eden valley. Omnipotent along the route, the Wall snakes its way. In sections interrupting a housing estate here, popping up under a road there. Then from being little more than a grassy bank it transforms into stone and rollercoasters over crag tops and down into impressive fort like structures such as at Birdoswald and Housesteads.

Highlights

  • Experience the scenic variety of northern England from the modern, busy cityscapes of Newcastle Upon Tyne to the red sandstone hues of medieval Carlisle, to the quiescence of Bowness on Solway.
  • Explore the barren, blustery heights of Highshields Crags in the Northumberland National Park and the lush, green pastoral scenes of the Eden valley
  • Trace the history of the north as you walk alongside this iconic monument
  • Enjoy the hospitality of country B&Bs brimming with personality and local charm

Itinerary

  • Day
    01

    Arrive Whitley Bay Travel to Newcastle and then onto Whitley Bay.

    Stretch your legs and take the time to visit St Mary's Island, Lighthouse, and Visitor Centre where you will experience spectacular coastal views. Accommodation: One of the guesthouses, pubs, or hotels

  • Day
    02

    Local train to Wallsend, walk to Wylam/Heddon (24km)

    Today you take the 15-minute train from Whitley Bay to Wallsend and the start of the walk. If you have time before setting off, take a close look at the remains of the Roman fort of Segedunum - which marks the beginning of the route today. This is a multi-award-winning site, with reconstructions of a Roman Bath House and an excellent interactive museum. From the Tourist Information in Wallsend, by the Swan Hunter Shipyard, the trail heads out following the walls of the ancient Roman fort of Segedunum. Take the old Tyne to Blyth railway line - now a footpath - through to Walker where you join the River Tyne at the Riverside Park and pass Byker. 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. Walk out of the city alongside the river. There is plenty of evidence of present and former industrial activity. 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 you would cross the River Tyne for Heddon on the Wall, on the trail, we turn off for Wylam and our overnight stop at the end of this flattish day. Accommodation: One of the guesthouses, pubs, or hotels.

  • Day
    03

    Walk to East Wall Houses (13.8 km)

    Start the day with a nice steep stroll up to Heddon, where you can examine a good surviving section of the wall. The National Trail follows beside the road, often along the vallum - the ditch created as a defensive feature when The Roman Wall was built. After about 1 mile, you soon come off the road to follow the footpath by its side. Look out for remains of Vindobala Fort and the reservoirs around Welton which are good for birdlife. Reach a pub called the Robin Hoods Inn at East Wallhouses after about 8 miles and, maybe after a pint, you have a short walk up to your accommodation. Accommodation: The guesthouse is about a mile north of the pub in East Wall Houses along a footpath. A spacious stone-built former farmhouse dating from 1735. With well-kept gardens beautifully situated in the Northumberland Countryside. There is a Farm Brewery next door. Their Visitor Centre has a shop, bar, award winning tearoom & restaurant. If we are unable to accommodate in East Wall, we will make a booking in Corbridge where a return taxi transfer is required (own expense).

  • Day
    04

    Walk to Chollerford (16 km)

    From East Wallhouses, continue along the roadside path. A slight deviation to Halton after 3 miles might be in order to admire the old keep there. Very near to the end of the walk, you pass Heavenfields where Oswald, King of Northumberland defeated the Welsh hordes in 633 AD. You bypass the attractive little village of Wall, with a pretty green slightly off route, before you reach Chollerford. Walk into Chollerford with its handsome five-arched stone bridge from 1775. Or take footpaths down to the River Tyne to examine the foundation stones of the original Roman bridge which are well preserved. Accommodation: One of the guesthouses, pubs, or hotels

  • Day
    05

    Walk to Housesteads (23 km)

    The walk continues through Chollerford, crossing the Tyne over a beautiful stone bridge. You may have time to visit the Chesters Roman Museum which has Wall artefacts and great gardens with remains of the baths. The path still lingers beside the road as far as Fozy Moss, where the road veers off The Wall as it reaches the crags of the Whin Sill Escarpment. You walk past Brocolita Roman Fortress. Nearby there is a 3rd century Mithric temple with replica deity figures of the Persian God Mithras and his associates. This stage rollercoasters to Housesteads, with its famed fort and National Trust Museum. There are excellent views over the “Northward Tynescape” to the Bellingham and Simonside Hills. Now follows arguably the most scenic section of the trip over Highshield Crags and then down via Peel Crags to the National Park car park at Steel Rigg, from where you can walk out to your accommodation at Once Brewed. Accommodation: One of the guesthouses, pubs, or hotels

  • Day
    06

    Walk to Gilsland (14.6 km)

    The Wall climbs to its highest point over Winshields Crags, before descending to the delightfully named Bogle Hole. Downsteps through Thorny Doors and up Cawfields Crags with excellent views onto the Pennines. The way passes by Great Chesters and Magnis (Roman forts), passing Greenhead, the ruin of Thirlwall Castle and in another mile or so crosses the Cumbria / Northumberland border on the River Irthing at Gilsand. Accommodation: One of the guesthouses, pubs, or hotels

  • Day
    07

    Walk to Walton (12.2 km)

    Today is a shorter day giving you the chance to see the remains at the Roman site called Birdoswald, where you can see the longest continuous remaining stretch of Hadrian's Wall. Explore the extensive remains of the Roman fort and discover interactive displays, artefacts, and a model of the wall in their fascinating exhibition. With delicious locally made cakes and treats in the tearoom, it is the ideal place to stop and relax. Cross the River Irthing into Cumbria and follow the trail to Banks and another signal tower turret. You can then turn off to visit Lanercost Priory which has a café. If we cannot get you booked into Walton, then you will be staying in Brampton which is approx. 3 miles off the route Accommodation: B&B or Farm House

  • Day
    08

    Old Roman road to Carlisle (18 km)

    The route continues undulating across country. After crossing the very attractive Cam Beck, you briefly join the road at Newtown Village near the green before skipping across the fields. Here you are following the wall line via Old Wall, Blea Head and Wall Head farms, before detouring on a little “sandy lane” that takes you down to The Stanegate, the old Roman road that leads into Crosby on Eden and the river Eden. Now you will be riverside walking for about a mile. At Linstock there is a medieval ‘pele’ - or Peel Tower - that rang in times of danger so that the locals could congregate within its fortifications. Next come to Rickerby which has, in contrast, a Victorian folly tower. Finally cross the River Eden towards Stanwix, then up into Carlisle - a very interesting, historical city, with a castle founded by Henry I, extensive wall and Roman remains, and Carlisle Cathedral. The town has changed hands several times between Scotland and England, and this is reflected in parts of the town’s structure. Carlisle is quite a bit smaller than Newcastle. 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 on a couple of drams, as this is the centre for the Theakstone’s Brewery. Visit the Tullie House Museum for a fine collection of Roman remains. The inner city has been pedestrianised making exploration enjoyable around the market square. Accommodation: For two nights we will book you in at one of the guesthouses, hotels, or pubs.

  • Day
    09

    Walk to Bowness on Solway (12 km)

    As you have a second night in Carlisle, the final walk today can be done in either direction. Take a morning bus to Bowness on Solway and walk back to Carlisle or walk and then bus or taxi back. The walk from Carlisle follows, at first, the Southern side of the River Eden. The trail follows the Eden once again, more or less parallel with the line of the Wall and Vallum, through Grinsdale and Beaumont, where you veer away from the Eden. You get good views from just north of the village to the peaks of Skiddaw and High Pike to the south and across the Solway Firth to the West. Through Burgh by Sands, a short detour takes you to the point on the marsh where Edward I died in 1307. In the vicinity of Dykesfield House, the trail joins an old railway embankment for a couple of miles before rejoining the line of “The Wall” near Glasson. From here the route follows the minor road to Bowness on Solway, the site of the Roman fort of Maia and journey’s end.

  • Day
    10

    Arrangements end after breakfast

    Trip concludes after breakfast.

Cost Include

  • 9 nights' accommodation (3/4 star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs)
  • 9 breakfasts
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred between accommodations, not exceeding 20kg
  • Digital detailed route descriptions and maps
  • Access to the trip on GUIBO navigation app
  • 24 Hour phone help line

Cost Excludes

  • Dinner, lunch and drinks
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Admission fees
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers durring the trip

Route Map

Dates and Pricing

Travel Season Late Mar-mid Oct

Season 1: April & October

Season 2: May through September

Prices

Price per person in British Pounds- all prices subject to confirmation on booking

 Season 1Season 2
Double Occupancy£985£1025
Single Occupancy£ 1365£1450
Solo Traveler£ 1382£ 1462

More Info

Route: The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks; footpaths, mountain trails and some tarmac roads.

Accommodation: There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, lodges, pubs, and small hotels. They are run by walker friendly hosts offering en-suite or private facility rooms with a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the walk ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available. Please note that the accommodations are in small villages and hence limited in number. Hence the itinerary shows the villages (ie often more than one) associated with the end of each stage and that you may be staying in one or the other depending on availability.

Meals:  The overnight accommodations are on a bed & breakfast basis, you will have a selection of cold and hot options each morning to choose from. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation. They offer a good selection of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks for you to then take with you for that day’s walk. On a few sections you will also pass a café and/or shop but on many days, you will not pass anything between the start and finish. For evening meals, you will have a variety of lovely pubs and restaurants to choose from or your accommodation will provide a tasty meal.

Getting there and away

You can get to Tynemouth / Whitley Bay by train (from Newcastle Station), bus or car. You can use the main line from any of the airports. Most customers travel to Newcastle airport then take the transit into the city centre before local train to Tynemouth. At the end Carlisle has a mainline railway station from where you can easily reach Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester Airports or all the way direct to Birmingham and London.

This is a Partner Tour

TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

(613) 702-5350
666 Kirkwood Ave Suite B102, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5X9

[email protected]

See it online https://okcycletours.com/trip/england-hadrians-wall-10-day-hike-2025/