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

The walk commences from Carlisle; a very interesting historical city, with a castle founded by Henry I, extensive wall and other Roman remains and cathedral area. The town has changed hands several times between Scotland and England, and this is reflected in parts of the town’s structure. A lot of the buildings, such as the castle and the Old Town Hall, are made of fine red sandstone. 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 you will stay in Carlisle, which has a numerous choice of accommodations to stay at.

As you have a second night in Carlisle, the first walk of the tour can be done in either direction. Ideally take a bus* or taxi to Bowness-on-Solway and walk back to Carlisle. The walk starts from very near the site of the former Roman fort of Maia, looking out over the Solway Firth. The trail follows a minor road and then from Glasson, joins an old railway embankment for a couple of miles. Walking through Burgh-by-Sands a short detour takes you to the point on the marsh where Edward I died in 1307, awaiting to invade Scotland yet again! There isn’t much evidence of the wall on this section as it was largely a mud construction in this area, however walking through the villages of Beaumont and Grinsdale, you veer towards and follow the River Eden, and you may get some Lakeland views of the peaks of Skiddaw and High Pike to the south. The trail is more or less parallel with the line of the wall and vallum (defensive ditch). You follow the south side of the River Eden into Carlisle passing through old industrial areas and gardens to emerge in the town near the castle. * Bus schedules have been cut back recently and it may be better to walk from Carlisle to Bowness and return on the early evening bus; unless you are taking a morning Taxi.

From Carlisle, the route once again follows the River Eden where you cross the river after Stanwix and through Rickerby with its Victorian folly tower. Further on at Linstock there is a medieval ‘pele’, or Peel Tower, that rang a bell in times of danger so that the locals could congregate within its fortifications. Back on the riverside you pass Crosby-on-Eden, perhaps in time for coffee, and follow the old Roman road or ‘Stanegate’ out of the village. Then a sandy lane takes you up to the old wall line, along by Wall head and Blea head farms. The trail skips across fields then joins a minor road near the village green in Newton nearby, crossing the attractive Cam Beck before once again undulating across country to the village of Walton. If we cannot get you booked into Walton then you will be staying in Brampton which is approx 3 miles off the route.

Follow attractive cross-country walking from Walton, and parts of the old Roman Road from Banks with its Roman signal turret. Then it is on to cross the River Irthing leaving Cumbria for Northumberland, and arriving in the village of Gilsand. Today is a shorter day giving you the chance to see the remains at the Roman site called Birdoswald near the River Irthing, where you can see the longest continuous remaining stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Explore the extensive remains of the fort and discover interactive displays, artefacts and a model of the wall in their fascinating exhibition. Naturally, the place has delicious locally made cakes and treats in the tearoom.

From Gilsand, the next photogenic attraction are the remains of Medieval Thirlwell castle, virtually bestriding the line of the wall. The way then passes by Magnis Roman fort and then starts the famous roller-coasting route; undulating past Great Chesters Fort with views out on to the Pennine hills. From here its up through Cawfields Crags, through Thorny doors and then from the delightfully named Bogle Hole, ascend to the highest point of Hadrian’ Wall at Winshields Crags (345m). The views are familiar to anyone who has seen documentaries about the wall. From here you descend off the wall to your accommodation at once Brewed near the visitor centre. Depending upon time, you could decide to carry on 2.5 miles to visit the famous Roman fort museum site at Housesteads, or take the bus from Once Brewed.

From Once Brewed the route ascends to the National Park at Steel Rigg, back on the wall and undulates passing peel and Highshield Crags above Crag Lough, a lake below the cliffs. Now arguably the most scenic walking section of the holiday, where the remains of the wall sit on top of the natural Whin Sill basalt ridge. There are excellent views over the “Northward Tynescape” to the Bellingham and Simonside Hills. Next you roller-coaster to Housesteads, with its famed fort and National Trust Museum. A good couple of hours will do it justice. Another spell of walking gets you to where you leave the Whin Sill at Fozy Moss and follow beside the road, which in places is on the line of the wall. The next attraction is Brocolita Roman Fortress. Nearby there is a 3rd century Mithric temple with replica deity figures of the Persian God Mithras and his associates. The Walk continues on to Chollerford, where there is a beautiful stone bridge from 1775 crossing the River Tyne. You may have time to visit the Chesters Roman Museum which has Wall artefacts, and great gardens with remains of the baths.

As you commence walking today from either wall or Chollerford it might be worth taking footpaths down to the River Tyne to examine the foundation stones and footings of the original Roman bridge which are well preserved. The next attraction along the walk, is the hamlet and church at Heavenfields where Oswald King of Northumberland defeated the Welsh hordes in 633 AD, thus uniting Northumbria. Unfortunately, the Northumbrians didn’t do quite so well against the Vikings later on! Walking on, a slight deviation to Halton might be in order to examine a pele tower and grade I listed building situated close to Hadrian’s Wall. The tower was first recorded in 1382. The walk then largely follows alongside the road into East Wallhouses.

The walk is now quite flattish, The National Trail follows beside the road, often along the vallum – the ditch created as a defensive feature when The Roman Wall was built. The reservoirs around Welton are good for bird life, and in another 3 miles or so there are the remains of Vindobala Fort – which are really just field ridges as most of the stone was removed in the 18th century. Arrive at Heddon-on theWall, where you can examine a good surviving section of the wall and finally end the day with a nice steep stroll down to Wylam (which is just off the route)

Leaving Wylam, you have some final countryside walking before reaching the old village of Newburn, where the suburbs of Newcastle reach out. Walk into the city alongside the River Tyne. There is plenty of evidence of present and former industrial activity. You come into the riverside area of downtown Newcastle upon Tyne, with vistas of the elegant Tyne Bridges and the city skyline, including St. Nicholas Cathedral. There should be time to climb up to Newcastle Keep. Following the line of the old Tyne to Blyth railway line, you pass through the suburbs of Byker and Walker, finally reaching Wallsend. If you have time take a close look at the remains of the Roman fort of Segedunum. This is a multi-award winning site, with reconstructions of a Roman Bath House and an excellent interactive museum. The museum marks the end of the Hadrians Wall Trail. From Wallsend, take the Newcastle Metro to Whitley Bay (15 minutes) for a night in a seaside town! If you have time tonight or tomorrow, stretch your legs and take a walk to visit St Mary’s Island, Lighthouse and Visitor Centre where you will experience spectacular coastal views.