7-day Hadrian's Wall Path itinerary

1. Day 1

   Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall

   6–7 h 14.7 mi (23.6 km) ↑ 290 m (950 ft) ↓ 230 m (750 ft)

   The trail starts at Segedunum and stays on pavement through Newcastle. The Tyne quayside, the Baltic and the bridges fill the city, and at low tide the ribs of old coal boats show in the mud. George Stephenson's cottage is half a mile off the path where you cross the Wylam Waggonway. Heddon is the first village after the city. Every plan we publish spends the first night there, so adding days later does not shorten this one.

   Example stay Heddon Lodge

2. Day 2 Longest

   Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford

   7–8 h 16.4 mi (26.4 km) ↑ 440 m (1,450 ft) ↓ 460 m (1,500 ft)

   Field edges and almost no climb, with the Wall under the B6318. That road is General Wade's Military Road, built in the 18th century. Follow the ditch on the north side and the low ridge in the fields to the south. A Roman stone in the bank is the masonry you get, and the traffic stays with you. This is the longest day of the seven. The eight-day plan is the one that splits it, at East Wallhouses. Chollerford puts Chesters at the end, before the ground lifts.

   Example stay George Hotel (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Chollerford to Once Brewed

   5–6 h 12.0 mi (19.3 km) ↑ 650 m (2,150 ft) ↓ 460 m (1,500 ft)

   After Chesters the pasture gets higher, the Vallum and the north ditch are easy to see, and then the switchback starts. It is tougher than it looks, and a bright day has little shade, so leave time for Housesteads on the escarpment. Once Brewed is the hamlet with the beds. Steel Rigg, just beyond, is a car park. Windshields, the highest point, is tomorrow. That split is what keeps the crags from filling this whole day.

   Example stay Vallum Lodge Hotel (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Once Brewed to Gilsland

   4–5 h 8.6 mi (13.8 km) ↑ 430 m (1,400 ft) ↓ 560 m (1,850 ft)

   The short day that makes seven the right first walk. Windshields Crags is the high point, 1,131 ft (345 m), and from Walltown a clear day shows southern Scotland, the north Pennines and Bowness-on-Solway. Greenhead has food. More of the Wall is standing here than on the road days. Sleeping at Gilsland is what keeps this stretch on its own, instead of pushing on toward Carlisle while the legs are already spent.

   Example stay Dacre House (opens in a new tab)

5. Day 5

   Gilsland to Brampton

   3–4 h 7.4 mi (12.0 km) ↑ 210 m (700 ft) ↓ 280 m (900 ft)

   Birdoswald is the fort just west of Gilsland, and Hare Hill is the last standing piece of Wall when you walk west. Then you leave the path for Brampton, the market town. Without this night, Gilsland to Carlisle is one long day on the shorter plans. The town sits off the path, so the walking is not finished when you leave the Wall. The hamlet on the turn itself has very few beds.

   Example stay Scotch Arms Mews B&B/Holiday Home (opens in a new tab)

6. Day 6

   Brampton to Carlisle

   4–5 h 10.9 mi (17.5 km) ↑ 160 m (500 ft) ↓ 190 m (600 ft)

   Back on the path, and near sea level. The Wall is a ditch and a low ridge in the fields, with a little woodland after the open Northumberland miles, and the Eden takes you into Carlisle. Gentle walking: this is the second half of the day the shorter plans do in one push from Gilsland. Eat well in the city, and buy anything you need for the marshes. Tomorrow has little in the way of a shop.

   Example stay Carlisle Station Hotel | Sure Collection by Best Western (opens in a new tab)

7. Day 7

   Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway

   6–7 h 15.5 mi (24.9 km) ↑ 200 m (650 ft) ↓ 200 m (650 ft)

   Barely a climb. The Eden, then the Solway marshes, with Scotland across the water. Take it slowly. Two stretches flood: Dykesfield to Drumburgh, and Port Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway. A Silloth tide of 9 metres or more can cover them, so stay clear for an hour either side and check before you leave Carlisle. The longer plans split this day at Boustead Hill. The King's Arms in Bowness has the last passport stamp.

   Finish Hadrian's Wall Path Finish

Cross-check: National Trails route description . The walking on this page follows that description. The day lengths named in the notes are the published headings for this night list. The distances on the cards are measured on our line.

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