Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Hadrian's Wall Path, England, United Kingdom. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- England, United Kingdom
- Biome
- English moorland (0–350 m)
- Best season
- April – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: English moorland (0–350 m)
- Best season: April – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Hadrian's Wall Path
Topic summary
The 135-km trail from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend along Hadrian's Wall — Roman ruins and rolling farmland.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
English moorland (0–350 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Hadrian's Wall Path trip tools
How to get there
Plan arrival at Wallsend for an east-to-west crossing, or at Bowness-on-Solway for the reverse direction. Confirm transport to the chosen start and onward travel from the finish before setting daily stages.
- Wallsend
The eastern endpoint of Hadrian’s Wall Path, on the east coast of England; a starting point for walking west towards Bowness-on-Solway.
- Bowness-on-Solway
The western endpoint of Hadrian’s Wall Path, on the west coast of England; a starting point for walking east towards Wallsend.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Hadrian's Wall Path
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Hadrian's Wall Path
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Hadrian's Wall PathAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Hadrian's Wall Path
Planning to fish Hadrian's Wall Path, United Kingdom? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in United Kingdom are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Hadrian's Wall Path?
- A United Kingdom fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current United Kingdom fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Hadrian's Wall Path
Thinking about hunting Hadrian's Wall Path, United Kingdom? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in United Kingdom are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Hadrian's Wall Path?
- Confirm the land around Hadrian's Wall Path is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in United Kingdom?
- A United Kingdom hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A coast-to-coast walk along the Roman frontier
Hadrian’s Wall Path crosses northern England from Wallsend on the east coast to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast. The full route is 84 miles (135 km), making it a substantial walking journey rather than a single-day outing. For most of its length, the path stays close to the remains of Hadrian’s Wall, the defensive boundary built by the Romans at the northern edge of their empire. That relationship between footpath and frontier is the main reason to choose this walk: the historical feature provides a clear thread across the country. Plan around the walking as well as the archaeology, allowing time to look at the remains rather than treating the entire route as a distance target.
The wall and its wider landscape
The wall is recognised as part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site. Walking nearby puts its remains into a broader geographical setting, rather than presenting them as an isolated monument. Northumberland adds useful context to the northern English landscape: it is a rural border county with rolling hills, low mountains and a sparsely populated interior. That regional character is a reason to prepare for countryside walking, not simply a sequence of historical stops. Carry suitable layers, water and food, and judge daily ambitions against the weather and personal fitness. The path follows the wall closely for most of its length, but that does not mean the entire walk is directly beside surviving remains.
Planning the length and direction
Hadrian’s Wall Path became the fifteenth National Trail in 2003. Its two named endpoints give a straightforward framework for planning: Wallsend in the east and Bowness-on-Solway in the west. Start by deciding whether the full 84-mile crossing suits the time available, then work out daily stages using current mapping and confirmed overnight arrangements. The total distance alone is not enough to establish a comfortable schedule; time spent examining the wall’s remains also belongs in the plan. Either endpoint can frame a walking itinerary, but transport to the start and onward travel from the finish need separate checking. For a shorter visit, establish a practical entry and exit before committing to a section rather than assuming access throughout.
Route options
- Full crossing: Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway84 miles (135 km)
Walk the National Trail from east to west across northern England, staying close to the remains of Hadrian’s Wall for most of the route. Allow time for the historical remains when setting daily walking stages.
- Full crossing: Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend84 miles (135 km)
Follow the same coast-to-coast trail in the opposite direction, finishing at its eastern endpoint. Choose direction around practical arrival and departure arrangements rather than assuming either direction is easier.
Sample itineraries
- Seven-day end-to-end walk · 7 days
Use seven days as a planning outline for the 84-mile route from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. Follow the path near the remains of Hadrian's Wall for much of its length. Confirm overnight stops and access before committing to daily stages.
- Nine-day history-focused walk · 9 days
Allow nine days for the same Wallsend-to-Bowness-on-Solway crossing, leaving more time to examine the Roman remains along the trail. Arrange daily stages around confirmed accommodation and personal walking capacity; this is a suggested pace, not an established stage schedule.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Plan conservatively for a long walk through northern England. Check forecasts and ground conditions before each stage, and carry waterproofs and layers rather than relying on mild weather.
Summer
Summer
Prepare for sustained walking rather than assuming an easy outing. Carry water and sun protection, retain a waterproof layer, and confirm supplies and overnight stops before entering rural stretches.
Fall
Fall
Match stage length to available daylight and the forecast. Keep spare clothing dry and allow flexibility if weather makes progress through rolling country slower than expected.
Winter
Winter
Use a cautious daylight-based schedule. Check current weather and access conditions, carry warm layers and a light, and shorten plans when conditions exceed the group's experience.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Plan conservatively for a long walk through northern England. Check forecasts and ground conditions before each stage, and carry waterproofs and layers rather than relying on mild weather. |
| Summer | Summer | Prepare for sustained walking rather than assuming an easy outing. Carry water and sun protection, retain a waterproof layer, and confirm supplies and overnight stops before entering rural stretches. |
| Fall | Fall | Match stage length to available daylight and the forecast. Keep spare clothing dry and allow flexibility if weather makes progress through rolling country slower than expected. |
| Winter | Winter | Use a cautious daylight-based schedule. Check current weather and access conditions, carry warm layers and a light, and shorten plans when conditions exceed the group's experience. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current access requirements and any permit arrangements with the managing agency.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Accumulated fatigue over the 84-mile route: choose daily stages that leave enough energy for consecutive walking days.
- Rolling terrain in rural Northumberland can make progress more demanding than distance alone suggests.
- Sparse settlement in Northumberland's interior warrants advance planning for supplies, overnight stops and help.
- Weather exposure during long walking days: check forecasts and carry protection against rain, wind and cold.
What to pack for Hadrian's Wall Path
- Comfortable walking footwear
- Waterproof jacket
- Adjustable insulating layers
- Dry spare socks
- Route map and offline navigation
- Charged phone and backup power
- Small first-aid kit and blister care
- Headlamp
- Water capacity suited to the day's confirmed supply points
- Food and spare snacks
- Sun protection
- Waterproof storage for essentials
Hadrian's Wall Path FAQ
- How long is Hadrian's Wall Path?
- The trail runs for 84 miles, or 135 kilometres, across northern England.
- Where does the trail start and finish?
- Its endpoints are Wallsend on England's east coast and Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast.
- Does the path follow the Roman wall?
- For most of its length, the path stays close to the remains of Hadrian's Wall. Do not expect a continuous intact wall throughout the walk.
- What is the historical significance of the route?
- Hadrian's Wall was a Roman defensive wall on the empire's northern border. Its remains are recognised as part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.
- What kind of landscape should walkers expect?
- The route crosses northern England. Northumberland's wider interior is rural and sparsely populated, with rolling hills and low mountains. Plan rural stages carefully rather than assuming frequent services.
- Is Hadrian's Wall Path a National Trail?
- Yes. It became the 15th National Trail in 2003.