Walk Hadrian's Wall Highlights

Welcome to the northwest English countryside! Today, you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers in front of the entrance to Carlisle train station at 10 am – check the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ of your Essential Trip Information for more details. Carlisle is a wonderful historic city dating back over 2,000 years. With its renowned castle and the Tully Museum to see, you might like to spend a night or two here before your trip to get a real feel for the place. After a quick welcome briefing, begin your walk out of town, following the River Eden on your way to the charming village of Crosby-on-Eden. Passing by Hadrian’s Wall through sweeping fields and old bridleways you'll soon arrive in Irthington. From here, take a short transfer to Haltwhistle, your base for the next 3 nights.

After a short transfer back to the trail, begin your walk at Lanercost Priory – once England’s capital, but only for a matter of months. Continue to Birdoswald Roman Fort where there will be time for an optional visit to this historic structure which was inhabited for over 2,000 years and showcases many of the Wall’s defining features. Overlooking the River Irthing Gorge, this section of Hadrian’s Wall is the longest spanning stretch and one of the most well preserved. After spending some time here with your group, walk on to Gilsland from where you'll travel back to your overnight accommodation in Haltwhistle.

Start the day with a short ride to the Vindolanda Roman fort. Here you will spend a few hours exploring this wonderfully preserved fort, which is still being excavated. A highlight is the onsite museum that has a treasure trove of well-preserved items such as Roman shoes, boxing gloves and letters. Afterwards hop on the aptly named AD122 bus for the short ride to the Walltown quarry. Walk along one of the most spectacular of the wall as it follows the crags and involves some steep ascents, before descending from the wall and following the lovely Haltwhistle burn back in to town. As tonight is your last night in this pretty town you may like to head out with your fellow walkers and enjoy a well-deserved dinner (at your own expense) before moving on to the second part of your adventure tomorrow.

After a short transfer to Once Brewed – a quaint place with an unusual, and often disputed name – start your hike with a steep climb to the crags (rock faces) of Northumberland. Enjoy a must-do photo stop at the impeccably preserved Housesteads Roman Fort. This afternoon, you will finish your walk at Brocolitia fort. Nothing remains of the fort but there are some interesting remains of the Temple of Mithras. From here, take a quick ride to your overnight accommodation in Hexham.

After breakfast take a short ride to the outskirts of Chollerford to begin today’s walk. Be sure to walk around the nearby Heavenfield Battle Site and St Oswald’s in Lee Church, both teeming with reminders of the famous victory of Oswald – the King of Northumbria – in AD734. Your walk today takes you through the countryside to Port Gate where you can take the time for a relaxed lunch before continuing to East Wallhouses and a transfer to nearby Hexham.

Your group will mainly follow the old Military Road and earthen defences set on either side of the wall. Today, you'll pass by the Roman Fort of Rudchester and a short section of remaining wall on your way. After a number of days walking along the trail, perhaps celebrate the last night of the trip with your group during a well-deserved group dinner.

With no activities or walking included in today’s itinerary, you are free to leave at any time. The town of Hexham is only a short distance by rail or bus to the large city of Newcastle upon Tyne where rail and air connections are available to take you throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.