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

Segedunum, the site of a Roman fort with an interesting museum in Wallsend near Newcastle upon Tyne, is where the walk begins. From Wallsend station, follow Station Road to Buddle Street and you'll find the museum.

Along the Tyne and into the North Tyne Valley

The path follows the River Tyne into the city and along the redeveloped central quayside. It passes the 'Blinking Eye' Millennium Bridge, which leads across to the Baltic Arts Centre and the distinctive Sage Building, then stays beside the river as far as Newburn, on the edge of Newcastle.

From there the trail runs pleasantly through the Tyne Valley Country Park, climbs to the hilltop village of Heddon and carries on through rolling countryside where turrets and milecastles become part of the landscape. The last 2 miles drop through attractive parkland into the North Tyne Valley and the villages of Wall, Chollerford and Humshaugh, all of which are used for overnight stops.

Whin Sill and the central forts

Next comes the Northumberland National Park, classic Roman Wall country with wide views and undulating moorland. The route climbs steadily at first, past turrets and Brocolitia Roman fort, and becomes more steeply undulating once it reaches the Whin Sill escarpment. You look out over open moorland, the South Tyne Valley and the Pennines, with the wall itself following the ridges ahead. The path passes the well preserved Housesteads Fort and continues in the same dramatic way to Twice Brewed.

Twice Brewed is a good place for a rest day, which gives you time to explore the Vindolanda or Housesteads Roman forts. Beyond it the route keeps to the escarpment over the rugged crags of Winshield, passes the remains of Great Chesters Fort and the Roman Army Museum, and reaches the pretty villages of Greenhead and Gilsland. Just after Gilsland is Birdoswald fort. The path then runs high above the steep-sided Irthington Gorge before starting a gradual descent at Banks.

Carlisle and the Solway salt marshes

Farmland and parkland take over from moorland as the route drops through Walton and Irthington to the River Eden, which leads into Carlisle, a historic border city with a cathedral, a castle and old city walls. The final section is quite different from everything before it: first along the Eden, then across the flat salt marshes of the Solway Firth to Bowness. The Lake District mountains are visible to the south and Scotland lies just across the water to the north. The estuary is internationally known for its bird life and has a peaceful charm of its own.

Pace, terrain and what to pack

This itinerary is meant for fit walkers who would rather concentrate on the route than on the remains. It includes a couple of longer days, while the days in the hillier central section, where the most interesting remains are, are slightly shorter. Hadrian's Wall is a fairly easy National Trail over rolling countryside and moorland rather than mountains, and many people with limited walking experience complete it every year.

Day one is on urban footpaths. After that it's mostly fields and parkland until Housesteads, then moorland up to 1,150 feet (350m), more fields and parkland to Carlisle, and finally flat coastal plain. The paths are well maintained throughout but can get muddy in wet weather. Most of the ups and downs are gentle, though the central section has many short, steep climbs. Paths are clear and well signposted. The weather can change quickly, so bring comfortable footwear and reliable waterproofs.