Hadrian’s Wall was built in the second century AD by Emperor Hadrian. The path flows across Northern England from coast to coast and stretches 84-miles.

Unfortunately, only a few sections of the wall are still visible above ground, which is expected for a monument so old.

The National trail runs the line of Hadrian’s Wall from Wallsend, Newcastle Upon Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria. During the walk, you’ll pass some of the most beautiful parts of Nothern England.

You’ll be treated to lush views of rolling fields and rugged lands, all the way to the vibrant cities Carlisle and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

And to make things even more special:

Along the way, you can admire dozens of excellent museums littered around the local area.

And that’s not the only thing Hadrian’s Wall has to offer its visitors.

One of the biggest highlights of the hike is exploring the remains of old Roman forts excavated to give people a view of Ancient Roman Britain.

Some of the highlights of the walk include the likes of:

• River Tyne Bridges
• Chesters
• Segedunum
• Birdoswald
• Whin Sill escarpment
• Solway salt marshes

If you love ancient Roman history and hiking, this trail is an excellent way of combining the two activities into one. But enough with the history of the path, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from the hike:

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What does it look like?

How Long Does It Take?

As mentioned earlier, the hike stretches 84-miles from coast to coast and will take the average hiker 6-days to complete. To complete the walk within that time frame, you’d have to walk around 14 miles a day.

But this could take longer depending on how many forts and museums you decided to visit.

Many people like to start the hike in the city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyme and head out into the countryside. One of the main reasons being it’s easier to start the walk due to better travel options.

The route itself is marked clearly, making the hike very easy to navigate, making it a treat for people with lesser navigation skills.

The hike is excellent for nearly any fitness level; it has an aggregate ascent of around 1,600m. Over the entire walk, the highest point only reaches 345 meters above sea level.

The most challenging section of the walk is the 23-mile stretch from Chollerford and Biroswald, which has series of short/steep climbs and descents in quick succession.

Other than that section, you should be ok throughout the rest of the walk.

How To Get There And Back?

As with any long hike getting there and back is always the trickiest part; for one, you have decided what method of transport you should take and where you’re going to start from.

Ideally, you should start from Newcastle, no matter what method of transport you’re planning to use. The big city has plenty of car parking options, a great train and bus network, and even international/internal flights.

Things are a bit different if you plan to set off from Bowness-on-Solway. The travel services are minimal. It is only a tiny village, so the bus service is limited and doesn’t run very often.

The best option for getting there and back is to get a train/bus to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and start your walk from there. Once you finish in Bowness-on-Solway, you can get a bus/taxi to Carlisle and return home from the train station.

The Best Time To Go

It probably goes without saying, but the weather conditions change very quickly in the north of England. It can go from blazing sun to torrential rain in under 10 minutes.

The problem is the trail can quickly become very muddy when it rains. So, if you’re looking for good weather you should aim to be there between July and August.

But here’s the thing:

During that period, the path is super busy, which can make the hike less enjoyable. If you want a quiet trip, May and October are probably your best option with relative weather.

Where To Stay On Your Journey

Okay, when it comes to places to stay, it’s either camping or sleeping at a B&B. If you’re on a bit of a budget, camping is your best option.

That being said, you’re not legally allowed to wild camp on the path, and some of the campsites are pretty far apart.

If you’re not one for camping, you have the option of staying in bunkhouses or B&Bs at local pubs. The prices can vary a little, so it’s best to do your research before you leave.

It’s also worth booking the places close to the path in advance; they can fill up pretty quickly.

Where To Get Food And Drink Along The Way

When you’re going on a long walk like this, you’re going to need a lot of food and drink. And the problem is, taking six days worth of food with you isn’t an option.

So what do you do?

If you’re staying at B&Bs, most will offer breakfast at a small charge, so you know you’re covered there.

The rest of the time, you’ll have to rely on small shops, restaurants, or bars. The great thing is you’ll never be too far away from one of them.

The food prices will vary from place to place, but you can expect a meal to cost anywhere between £10-20.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a historical hike, there aren’t many places that compare to Hadrian’s Way path. Along the way, you can get immersed in the history of Roman Britain and find out how life was like back then.

The walk itself is beautiful, and you’ll be surrounded by nature and traditional old British villages you can admire on your way.