Hadrian's Wall Path: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway

Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast

The Hadrian's Wall Path is an 86-mile way-marked National Trail across the far north of England, from the east coast to Bowness-on-Solway on the Solway Firth in the west. This version is 7 days of walking over 8 nights. On the way you pass Heddon-on-the-Wall, Chollerford, Housesteads, Castlestead and Carlisle. You can walk the route in either direction. If you add an optional extra day from South Shields to Wallsend, the walk becomes a full coast to coast.

There are Roman remains to visit all along the path, and plenty of countryside with wildlife. The walking is fairly easy and the trail is clearly way-marked, so it makes a good first walking holiday. You get Roman history alongside two modern cities, Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle, both with good shopping and plenty of restaurants and pubs.

Pacing and rest days

The 7-day plan averages 12 miles a day. It's one of five suggested itineraries; others take 9 days at 10 miles a day or 10 days at 9 miles a day. The daily distances are only suggestions, and longer or shorter days can be arranged. The quoted distances include the walk to your accommodation or pickup point, so they may not match the guidebook figures.

You can take rest days anywhere along the route. In Carlisle you could spend time in the city or make a trip to the Lake District. Newcastle has an art gallery, museums, shops, restaurants and pubs. You can also combine this walk with a walking holiday elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, and the operator can advise on transfers between them.

Accommodation, luggage and what's included

You stay in guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. Every room has an en-suite or private bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets can be catered for. Your luggage goes ahead to the next accommodation each day. The aim is to deliver it by 4pm, though road conditions can sometimes delay it.

Before you book

The holiday runs from March to 15 October. It's self-guided, so you need to be a confident map reader and able to navigate on a compass bearing. Weather in the UK can change quickly and affect both visibility and conditions underfoot, so carry a range of clothing each day. If you're not confident of finishing a day's walk, don't set out. The operator's offices are staffed from 9am to 9pm during the walking season, March to September.