The Walk

The walking path that runs alongside Hadrian's Wall is an 84-mile British National Trail that's dotted with ruins of Roman forts, baths, and milecastles. For people who aren't me, it's considered a relatively easy hike.

It'll take us seven days to complete the walk, and we'll be making some carefully considered stops along the way. In the larger version of the map on the right, I've marked the towns or villages where we plan to spend the night. The daily distances seem reasonable to me now, but who knows what it'll be like with a 25-30 pound pack on my back. I'm no spring chicken, after all.

Day 1: Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle, 15 miles (24 km)

Day 2: Carlisle to Walton, 11 miles (18 km)

Day 3: Walton to Gisland, 8 miles (13 km)

Day 4: Gisland to Once Brewed, 8 miles (13 km)

Day 5: Once Brewed to Chollerford, 12 miles (19 km)

Day 6: Chollerford to Heddon-on-the-Wall, 15 miles (24 km)

Day 7: Heddon-on-the-Wall to Wallsend, 15 miles (24 km)

But James and I have been training hard--well, it's been hard for me, easier for him--and we've walked/hiked nearly 400 miles in preparation. Even so, we've yet to walk 80 miles in a single week.

The Weather

There's always a chance too that we'll be rained on. A lot. There's been extensive flooding in the UK already this year, and the current forecast for Northern England through July is rain, rain, and more rain.

Other Resources

For more information about walking Hadrian's Wall, check out some of these sources:

Hadrian's Wall Path, National Trail, the official website for the Wall Path--lots of information, maps, and photographs

Hadrian's Wall Country, Hadrian's Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this is the World Heritage 'Walk the Wall' website with lots of information and photographs

Hadrian's Wall: Top 6 sights along England's most famous ruin, a Lonely Planet travel article

Hadrian's Wall, a Visitor's Guide, a travel article in the UK Telegraph

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