Guidance

Hadrian's Wall Path: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

Hadrian’s Wall Path is an 84-mile (135km) National Trail across northern England. It stretches from coast to coast across northern England from Wallsend, in Newcastle upon Tyne on the east coast, to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria, on the west coast. 

The trail follows the line of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site and goes through Northumberland National Park.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Wallsend, Tyne and Wear
• Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year. For conservation reasons, it’s recommended to visit the trail between Easter and October.

The trail and Hadrian’s Wall are very popular in summer, particularly in July and August. It can become muddy in wet weather.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Walking the whole trail

• Length: 84 miles (135km)
• Time to complete: around 6 to 7 days for experienced walkers

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.

East to west is the direction the wall was originally built. West to east is recommended for more favourable weather conditions.

If you’re an experienced walker then it can take 6 or 7 days to complete the whole trail. However, you may want to give yourself extra time to explore while on the trail.

Accessibility on the trail

Hadrian’s Wall Path can be challenging. The section between Chollerford and Birdoswald (23 miles or 37km) is a switchback with lots of short climbs and descents.

The majority of the trail has a natural grass surface.

You can find more information about accessible attractions, viewpoints and picnic sites in the Northumberland National Park.

What you can experience on the trail

You can experience many things on Hadrian’s Wall Path, including:

• wildlife – such as along the River Eden and the salt marshes on Solway Firth
• historic and heritage sites – such as the Roman Forts of Segedunum (Wallsend), Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald
• nature reserves – such as Greenlee Lough
• local culture, food and entertainment

On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including:

• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Carlisle
• Greenhead
• Gilsland

Between Easter and October each year, you can buy a ‘trail passport’ and collect stamps from locations along the trail. If you collect all 7 stamps you can then buy an exclusive enamel badge and an achiever’s certificate.

Sections of the trail

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.    

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-wall – 15 miles (24km)

The trail starts at Segedunum Roman fort.

Most of this section goes through urban areas, including the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, and along the banks of the river Tyne. The last part of this section, leading to Heddon-on-the-Wall, is in open countryside.

Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford – 15.5 miles (25km)

This section is almost entirely through open countryside, but goes close to or along the B6318, known as the Military Road. Hadrian’s Wall is occasionally visible, and the adjoining Vallum earthwork is often visible on the south side.

Chollerford to Steel Rigg – 12 miles (19km)

The landscape on this section is higher and wilder. The Chesters Roman Fort is close to the start of this section. The trail is more undulating and the countryside becomes moorland, rather than farmland.

More of Hadrian’s Wall is visible and parts of it run along the edge of crags, giving views over the open countryside to the north. The trail passes the Roman fort at Vercovicium (Housesteads).

Steel Rigg to Walton – 16.25 miles (26km)

This section travels through open countryside and the natural feature of the great Whin Sill, which reaches its highest point at Windshield Crags (345m above sea level).

Roughly half way along the trail, you can see southern Scotland and the north Pennines, and the end point of the trail – Bowness-on-Solway.

There are options for food and drinks in the villages of Greenhead and Gilsland. The Roman fort at Birdoswald is close by, which is one of the best preserved of the 16 forts along the wall. The last piece of upstanding Hadrian’s Wall (if you’re walking west) is at Hare Hill.

The Pennine Way National Trail joins the Hadrian’s Wall Path near the village of Greenhead.

Walton to Carlisle – 11 miles (18km)

This section of the trail is nearer to sea-level and the gradients are gentle. The climate may be kinder and occasional woodlands provide shelter from the more open aspect of Northumberland. Part of the trail goes alongside the River Eden, eventually arriving at Carlisle.

Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway – 14.75 miles (24km)

The walking on this section is relatively easy, with views across the Solway estuary to Scotland.

The trail goes along the River Eden and the edge of the Solway estuary, and on to Bowness-on-Solway. There is no car parking in Bowness-on-Solway, but there is a bus in and out of the village.

Some places along the Solway coast are at sea level and can be affected by tidal flooding, including between:

• Dykesfield and Drumburgh
• Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway

You should check tide times before you set off and plan ahead to allow enough time for a safe walk.

Maps for the trail

You can find: 

• a map on the National Trails website – you can also download GPX data
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover Hadrian’s Wall Path are: 

• 314 Solway Firth
• 315 Carlisle
• 316 Newcastle upon Tyne
• OL43 Hadrian’s Wall

Diversions or closures on the trail

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail. 

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.