GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Hadrian's Wall Path

84 miles (135 km)

Starting in Wallsend near the east coast of England, head across the country to Bowness-on-Solway along this wonderful trail that follows the famous Roman wall. The trail runs for a distance of 84 miles (135 km), following close to the wall for most of its length. It's fairly flat for most of the way so it's quite an easy walk in good weather.
The trail mostly passes through open countryside and farmland but there are city sections through Newcastle Upon Tyne and Carlisle. Highlights includes the well preserved fort at Birdoswald where there's an excellent English Heritage Visitor Centre and museum. Housesteads is another of the trails highlights.
Here there's a barracks block, hospital, Commander's House, granaries and communal toilets which are all still visible today.

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Hadrian's Wall Path OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Hadrian's Wall Path Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Near the major fort at Housesteads you can visit The Twice Brewed Inn near Sycamore Gap. Here you can enjoy home-cooked meals in a comfy, cosy restaurant with a roaring fire. There's car parking, cycle storage and a nice beer garden for warmer weather too. They also offer tours of their brew house in an area with a brewing tradition dating back nearly 2,000 years. If you need to stay over they have several rooms with fine views over the area. You can find the pub near the Gap at a postcode of NE47 7AN. Just west of Newcastle in the pretty riverside village of Wylam there's The Boathouse. It's located in a lovely spot on the river next to Wylam Bridge and the train station. You can sit outside and enjoy views of the boats on the river if the weather is good. They serve good quality Thai food and have a decent selection of ales as a CAMRA member. You can find the pub at postcode NE41 8HR for your sat navs. In this area the path also directly passes Stephenson's Cottage, the birthplace of railway pioneer, George Stephenson. It's now a National Trust property where you can learn all about his early life and the Stephenson gauge', the basis for the standard gauge used by most of the world's railways. It's a nice place for railway enthusiasts to stop on the route.

Dog Walking

It's a great walk to do with your dog though it's best to keep them on leads in some areas, particularly around livestock. Some of the major forts along the route require your dog to be on a lead e.g Housesteads. If you're doing the whole route then your pet needs to be in good shape though it is fairly flat for most of the way. There are quite a few stepped stiles on the path too which can be an irritant.
The Twice Brewed Inn and Boathouse pubs mentioned above are dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The route is coincident with the Hadrians Cycleway. This long distance route runs from Ravenglass on the east coast to Tynemouth on the east coast. It follows the national trail for part of the route with some good traffic free paths to enjoy.

Photos

Housesteads Fort - geograph.org.uk - 998560

Housesteads Fort. View showing Hadrians Wall towards the East

Sycamore Gap - geograph.org.uk - 2678

Sycamore Gap

Hadrian's Wall, Heddon on the Wall - geograph.org.uk - 1736629

Hadrian's Wall, Heddon on the Wall near Newcastle. The wall ditch is on the right (north side), now shallow, beyond the level berm next to the wall. Excavations elsewhere suggest that this area may have had its own layer of defences such as sharpened stakes,at least where they were needed for defence. The outer courses of often triangular-shaped stones were in-filled with more random shaped and sized stones, possibly a more accurate restoration than seen elsewhere along the Roman Wall. The vallum can be seen in the field to the left (south side). Why does this short section of the wall have such a pronounced bend (just behind)? Whatever the reason, it did help this small section survive the road building that destroyed many miles of the structure west from Newcastle.

Vindolanda - geograph.org.uk - 30722

Vindolanda. A wide-angle photo of the Roman ruins at Vindolanda showing some of their extent, and the terrain in which they are situated.

Hadrian's Wall at Cuddy's Crags - geograph.org.uk - 3901079

Cuddy's Crags

Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads Crags - geograph.org.uk - 3901061

Housesteads Crags

Reconstructed section of Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda - geograph.org.uk - 2860960

Reconstructed section of Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda

Hadrian's Wall footpath on Peel Crags - geograph.org.uk - 907628

Peel Crags

Video

Route Highlights

Roman Fort of Segedunum

At the start of the trail at Wallsend you will find Segedunum -built in 122AD and now reconstructed with a fort, baths and a museum.

Millennium Bridge, Newcastle

The trail begins with a long and pleasant section along the River Tyne, passing through Newcastle Upon Tyne and Gateshead with its series of striking bridges

Tyne Riverside Country Park

200 acres of meadows, chalk grassland, woodland and river bank can be explored on foot or bicycle in Ovingham

Chollerford

You will cross the River North Tyne on Chollerford Bridge in this pretty village

Housesteads

Built in AD 124 and now known as Housesteads Roman Fort the site is a fascinating highlight of the trail. It is now run by the National Trust and is of significant archaeological interest.

Northumberland National Park

The views are spectacular as you pass through this national park

Lanercost Priory

Founded in 1169 as an Augustinian monastery the priory is well worth a visit for the history and architecure. It is run by English Heritage who provide good facilities including a car park, gift shop, information panels and a tea room where you could stop for some refreshments.

Crag Lough

At this point on the trail Hadrian's Wall is at the top of a line of crags with Crag Lough at the foot of the crags.

Birdoswald Roman Fort

One of the best preserved of the 16 forts along Hadrian's Wall. The fort is situated in a commanding position on a triangular spur of land bounded by cliffs to the south and east overlooking the River Irthing in Cumbria.

Whittle Dene Reservoir

Lovely setting with a huge variety of habitats including conifer and mixed plantations, neutral grassland and marshy grassland. The whole complex is designated as a Local Wildlife Site due to its importance for wildlife which includes Great crested grebe and tufted duck.

Carlisle and the River Eden

This lovely stretch of the trail takes you along the River Eden and past the town of Carlisle just to the south. Here you will find the impressive 11th century Carlisle Castle as well as a host of dining and accommodation options.

Bowness-on-Solway

The end of the trail at Bowness-on-Solway.This lovely village lies in the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

GPS Files

GPX File

Hadrians Wall Path.gpx (right click - 'Save As')