5 Day / 4 Night: Highlights of Hadrian's Wall

Your walk begins at Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend. The path follows the Tyne west through Newcastle's suburbs and city centre, crossing the river via the Millennium Bridge with views of the famous Tyne crossings. From Newcastle you head west along the north bank of the Tyne, passing through Newburn and climbing to the hilltop village of Heddon-on-the-Wall, where you'll see one of the best-preserved sections of Wall in the east. The day ends in the attractive market town of Corbridge, home to excellent Roman remains at Corbridge Roman Town.

From Corbridge the path climbs through the Tyne Valley towards Chollerford and the cavalry fort at Chesters. This is where the route begins its dramatic ascent onto the Whin Sill — the volcanic ridge that gives the central section its defining character. You'll reach the high point of the day approaching Housesteads, the most complete and evocative fort on the entire Wall. The final miles follow the switchback crags to Once Brewed in the heart of Northumberland National Park.

Day 3 continues along the finest stretch of the Wall, with the crags at their most dramatic between Steel Rigg and Cawfields. The views from the top of the escarpment stretch for miles in every direction — north to the Cheviot Hills and south to the North Pennines. West of Cawfields the path descends gradually from the high ground, passing Walltown Crags and the ruins of Thirlwall Castle before arriving at the Irthing valley and the village of Gilsland. Birdoswald Roman Fort, just a short walk from Gilsland, is worth a visit this evening or before you set off tomorrow.

The character of the walk changes significantly once you cross the River Irthing. The high crags are behind you now and the path follows the line of the Wall through rolling Cumbrian farmland, past the small settlements of Banks, Newtown, and Crosby-on-Eden. You'll arrive in Carlisle — the Roman city of Luguvallium — in the afternoon. There's time to visit the castle, the cathedral, and the excellent Tullie House Museum, which has one of the best collections of Roman artefacts from Hadrian's Wall.

Your final day is free. Carlisle has excellent transport connections — direct trains to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle run throughout the day, so you can depart at any time that suits you. Alternatively, take the AD122 Hadrian's Wall Country Bus west to walk the final section to Bowness-on-Solway, then return to Carlisle by taxi or bus.

## What's included

- Four nights' accommodation in selected B&Bs and guesthouses - Luggage transfer on each walking day - Comprehensive pre-departure information pack - Step-by-step route notes for each walking day - 1:25,000 OS maps for each section - GPX files for phone or GPS device - 24/7 on-trip support phone number - Welcome information and local tips

## Practical notes

**Start point:** Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, NE28 6HR. The nearest station is Wallsend Metro (Tyne and Wear Metro, change at Newcastle Central Station).

**End point:** Carlisle, CA1. Carlisle station has regular direct trains to London Euston (approx. 3.5 hours), Edinburgh (approx. 1.5 hours), and Newcastle (approx. 1 hour).

**Physical grade:** Moderate to strenuous. Day 2 involves significant ascent. Day 4 is the longest in distance. You should be comfortable walking for five to six hours per day.

**Best months:** May to September.