About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Hadrian's Wall holiday on Mooch, side by side.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway in four days
Hadrian's Wall Path runs 84 miles across the old northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire. It starts at Wallsend, a suburb of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and finishes at the western end of the route in Bowness-on-Solway. Most walkers take seven days to walk it from east to west. This itinerary does it in four walking days with five nights' accommodation, so every day is long:
Day 1: Wallsend to East Wallhouses (21.2 miles) Day 2: East Wallhouses to Twice Brewed (22.4 miles) Day 3: Twice Brewed to Newtown (19.4 miles) Day 4: Newtown to Bowness on Solway (23.8 miles)
You can add rest days to the package. If you'd like to split the route differently, Brigantes will quote for an alternative itinerary.
The Wall and its history
The Emperor Hadrian ordered the Wall built during his visit to Brigantia in 122 AD. Its purpose was to protect his conquered territories from the local peoples of the north, known collectively as the Brigantes. Its fortifications and earthworks were completed within six years. Along the way you pass long stretches of masonry and the hand-dug earthworks and Vallum, which are still visible. The Wall marks almost four centuries of Roman occupation and is now a World Heritage Site and a scheduled Ancient Monument. After the Romans left Britain the Wall fell into ruin, and local people took much of its stone to build field walls and buildings.
Along the route and close to it are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, museums, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a National Park. Brigantes particularly recommend the Roman Army Museum near Walltown Crags.
What's included and planning your walk
Each night you stay in a hand-picked B&B, guest house, inn or small hotel, with en-suite facilities where available and breakfast included. Brigantes' own team of local drivers moves your bags each day, and all booking fees are included. Prices assume two people sharing and a walk that starts after 1st April and finishes before 30th September. Solo walkers can send their dates and proposed itinerary for a quote. Where possible, Brigantes fits solo walkers in with existing bookings to keep the cost down. At the end of the walk you can get home, or to any UK airport, from the mainline railway in Carlisle.
The route is covered by OS Explorer maps OL43 (Hadrian's Wall), 314 (Solway Firth), 315 (Carlisle) and 316 (Newcastle upon Tyne). Cicerone publishes a guidebook called "Hadrian's Wall Path". If you'd rather navigate by phone, Brigantes suggests an app that supports Ordnance Survey maps at 1:25k or 1:50k scale. The two main providers are Ordnance Survey and Memory Map, and both work offline, so you don't need a mobile signal on the trail.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on Hadrian's Wall. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
Hadrian's Wall Path: Wallsend to Bowness on Solway
Hadrian's Wall Path: Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend
Hadrian's Wall Path: East to West
More walking holidays on Hadrian's Wall.
Walking · EnglandHadrian's Wall Path: Wallsend to Bowness on Solway
Walking · EnglandHadrian's Wall Path: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway
Walking · England