Your host and guide is Mike Ross, travel professional since 1982.
Maximum of 6 travelers.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 5 of 5; ability to walk 15 MILES PER DAY; stairs; cobblestones; uneven surfaces. Be prepared for rain, snow, sleet and mud. Cows, too. Maybe sheep.
SPECIFICS: On the Reservation Form: Add details of mobility issues, dietary or health issues, anything of a personal nature which may impact your trip.
Includes breakfast daily, transport of one carry on from B&B to the next B&B, comfortable but basic accommodations.
CONTACT MIKE at [email protected] for availability and pricing.
DAY 1 Arrive Newcastle and overnight
Arrive in the wonderful city of Newcastle Upon Tyne and soak in some of the local atmosphere and culture. People from Newcastle have a very distinct “Geordie” accent. Before leaving Newcastle we might visit the Great North Museum: Hancock – it will provide us with lots of history, information and context for the walk ahead.
DAY 2 Wallsend to Heddon
16 miles / 25.5 km
It is the wide rolling mass of the River Tyne, and not Hadrian’s Wall, that is a constant companion during this section of the walk, allowing us to cut through the centre of Newcastle with ease, and then escape the last industrial areas of the city. We will eventually turn our back on the river and head up to Heddon-on-the-Wall, a peaceful village to spend the night with an intact 100-metre stretch of Hadrian’s Broad Wall.
DAY 3 Heddon to Corbridge
13 miles / 21 km
Much of the walk from Heddon to Corbridge is parallel to the B6318 which was built directly on top of Hadrian’s Wall. An interesting fact here is that every time we cross the Military Road, we also cross the historic frontier of the Roman Empire.
DAY 4 Corbridge to Chollerford
10.5 miles / 17 km
Shortly after leaving Corbridge, we will pass the excavations of an old Roman Town. We can wander through the streets between houses and buildings and marvel at how they have been preserved while underground. Locals here would have rested safely in the knowledge that Hadrian’s Wall kept out invaders from the north. This section of the walk is punctuated with interesting stops and places to visit, such as Corbridge Roman Town, Planetrees and Portgate.
DAY 5 Chollerford to Once Brewed
13 miles / 20.5 km
We start the day by passing Chesters Museum, an important site on the wall, and then ascending to Tower Tye, again following the Roman Road. We will soon be entering the most spectacular sections of the wall, so keep a camera handy. Part company with the wall after Shield and enjoy a lovely journey through rugged countryside and a host of Roman ruins and forts. This section ends at Steel Rigg Peel Crags, a short walk from the hamlet of Once Brewed. Here, there is an information centre and nearby the Vindolanda Fort complex is one of the highlights of the hike.
DAY 6 Once Brewed to Gilsland
9.5 miles / 15.5 km
This section begins with a climb to the top of Winshields Crags, which is the highest point of the trail, but we will be compensated by stunning views in every direction. One of the most strenuous sections of the walk, but very rewarding due to the quality of the walls ruins here. We will then walk on to Gilsland. This village has a local pub which serves a well-earned pint and dinner.
DAY 7 Gilsland to Haytongate (Lanercost/Brampton)
6 miles / 10 km
This section contains some of the best-preserved parts of the wall, and also some of the last – little of the wall remains intact west of Banks. While the drama of the middle section is now mostly behind us, Hadrian’s Wall continues to stand atop the high ground allowing views that stretch for miles in every direction, including to the Lake District to the southwest.
DAY 8 Haytongate (via Brampton/Lanercost) to Carlisle
13.5 miles / 21.5 km
As the wall was predominantly dirt and turf in this section there is very little evidence of the wall remaining but this is still a lovely section of rural countryside and gives us time to reflect before entering the hustle and bustle of Carlisle. Carlisle is a large town and has all the facilities we may have been missing over the past couple of days. The magnificent Castle, cathedral and the Tullie House Museum are all well worth a visit if there’s any spare time.
DAY 9 Carlisle to Bowness-On-Solway
15 miles / 23.5 km
After following the River Eden out of Carlisle the route passes through Burgh by Sands and then follows the quiet road to Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway. This area is regarded as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” and the birdlife is prolific. The Kings Arms in Bowness is a great location for a celebratory drink at journey’s end.
DAY 10 Onward Travel
After breakfast our walking holiday will come to an end. Then it’s on to Edinburgh for a couple of days and back to the US!
