Follow 2,000 years of history on Hadrian's Wall Path

Hadrian’s Wall is located in northern England. It runs from Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast (near Carlisle) to Wallsend on the east coast (near Newcastle upon Tyne). It is the best-preserved and largest surviving outpost of the Roman Empire and is a testament to the military organisation, construction and engineering skill of the greatest empire in history. 

Hadrian’s Wall Path is 135km. The trail closely follows the ancient Roman fortification of Hadrian’s Wall, which was about 117km long. You can walk from west to east or east to west on our 10-day itineraries. The daily walking distance is 15km (average). Some walkers choose to take a rest day or adjust the daily distances.

This trail is graded moderate. It’s one of the easier National Trails with a great number of amenities and markers along the way. There are very few climbs and descents of a serious grade. The terrain varies from solid paths, country lanes and well-maintained trails to uneven stone and rocky sections. You will find yourself walking on centuries-old Roman cobblestones and rugged natural surfaces as you cross moorlands, meadows and the occasional muddy stretch, particularly after rainfall. Which is all part of the fun! Some parts of the trail offer relatively smooth walking while others require a bit more surefootedness, which makes sturdy hiking boots essential.

May to September are the most popular times to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path. These months are often the busiest with walkers, so it’s essential to book your trip well ahead of your intended departure date to ensure we can book you the best accommodation at every intended stop. May and June offer the best times to see the wildflowers. Once you are into summer, the days can be gloriously long, with light from 5am to 10pm and plenty of daylight to complete each day’s walk at a leisurely pace. July and August get very busy in the towns though not necessarily on the rest of the walk.

You can fly into Newcastle International Airport if you are starting in the east (Wallsend) or Manchester Airport if you are starting in the west (Bowness-on-Solway).

No, walking along the wall is free. However, if you want to visit many of the forts, museums or other attractions, you might have to pay a fee.

When you pass through charming villages like Haltwhistle and Once Brewed you’ll find cosy spots for a pint and a peaceful night’s rest at our hand-picked B&B and quaint hotel accommodation. We have carefully chosen these properties for their friendly and welcoming hosts. You’ll enjoy the lively company and camaraderie of local characters and other walkers as well.

With older historic buildings, rooms are usually small but cosy and welcoming, and there may be a public area for sitting/dining. Many accommodations in the UK no longer have baths; you’re more likely to have an ensuite shower room. Some B&Bs along the route do still have the odd room that has a bath (in a shared or private bathroom), so you might still have access to an occasional bath.

In addition to Hadrian’s Wall Path, RAW Travel offers many other walking holidays in the UK.

Hike across England on the iconic Coast to Coast Walk, discover the charm of the Cotswold Way or the South Downs Way, or walk England’s longest trail, the South West Coast Path. For a Scottish island adventure, try the scenic Arran Coastal Way.

You can choose from guided and self-guided itineraries.