Hadrian's Wall Path: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Hadrian's Wall holiday on Mooch, side by side.
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Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall
This eight-day, seven-night walk follows the Hadrian's Wall Path from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway over six walking days, and is graded challenging. On the first day you make your own way to Tynemouth, using the public transport information provided. The walking starts the next morning at Wallsend, at what is described as the best excavated Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall. From there the path follows the River Tyne past the old heartland of the British Empire's shipbuilding industry and through Newcastle. It then follows a former wagonway, leaves the river and meets the Wall again at Heddon-on-the-Wall. That stage is 15 miles (24 km).
Forts and crags through Northumberland
The third day covers 16.25 miles (26 km) along the old Military Road and the earthworks on either side of the Wall. You pass the Roman fort of Rudchester and the Port Gate, where the main Roman road into the North of Britain once crossed the Wall. You also pass the Heavenfield battle site, where Oswald, king of Northumbria, won a famous victory, before reaching Chollerford and the Roman fort of Chesters. Next comes a 12.5-mile (20 km) day through the Northumberland National Park. It takes in a Roman temple at Brocolitia, then climbs to the fort at Housesteads, beyond which the path runs along some of the best-preserved sections of the Wall as they snake along the top of the Northumberland Crags. The day ends at Once Brewed, not far from Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum.
Lanercost, Carlisle and the Solway coast
The fifth day, 15 miles (24 km), starts with a climb to the highest point of the walk at Green Slacks. It continues past Great Chesters Fort and on to Birdoswald, a fort inhabited for 2,000 years, before gentler country leads to Lanercost Priory. The next 13 miles (21 km) run through fields and along old bridleways to Crosby-on-Eden, then beside the River Eden into Carlisle, where you can visit the castle and the Tully Museum and its Roman artefacts. On the final 15.5-mile (25 km) stage you walk through several villages to Burgh-by-Sands, where Edward I, "the Hammer of the Scots", died in 1307. The path then crosses the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Bowness-on-Solway on the Irish Sea, where the Hadrian's Wall Path ends.
What's included and getting home
The holiday includes accommodation with breakfast, baggage transfers, route notes, GPS tracks and 24/7 support. Each walking day takes about five to eight hours. On the last day, regular buses run from Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle, with onward connections to Newcastle, Manchester and London. Your hosts can usually give the most accurate local details, and the operator can help with anything else.
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
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