Walking & visiting

Walking the Hadrian’s Wall Path

The 84-mile National Trail, from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway, and what to know before you go.

The Trail

The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail is 84 miles (135 km) long, coast to coast. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information The Trail opened in May 2003. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path

National Trails suggests experienced walkers allow 6 or 7 days for the whole Trail. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information · checked 29 Oct 2026 Northumberland National Park says it takes approximately 6–8 days. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path · checked 29 Oct 2026

About 10,000 people walk the whole Trail each year. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path · checked 29 Oct 2026 The Trail is part of the European long-distance path E2. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path

Its highest point is Windshield Crags, 345 m (1,131 ft) above sea level. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path The 23-mile (37 km) stretch between Chollerford and Birdoswald is a switchback of short climbs and descents. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information

Most of the path is natural grass; only the Tyneside section is tarmac. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information The route is waymarked with the National Trail acorn symbol. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information

Which way, and when?

You can walk either way: east to west is the direction the Wall was built; west to east is recommended for kinder weather. GOV.UK (Natural England): Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail The official guidebook describes the route from east to west. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information

National Trails recommends walking between May and October, when the ground is normally dry and damage to the buried archaeology is less likely. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information · checked 29 Oct 2026 GOV.UK says the Trail is open all year, and for conservation reasons recommends visiting between Easter and October. GOV.UK (Natural England): Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail · checked 29 Oct 2026

Passport stamps

Between Easter and 31 October you can collect 7 stamps in a Trail passport, then buy a completion badge and certificate. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path · checked 29 Oct 2026 The 7 passport stamps are at Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle, Birdoswald, Housesteads, Chesters, the Robin Hood Inn and Segedunum. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path · checked 29 Oct 2026

Every Footstep Counts

The World Heritage Site’s visitor code, Every Footstep Counts, asks you not to walk on the Wall itself, to follow signed paths, walk side by side, avoid worn patches, keep gates closed, control your dog and take litter home. Hadrian’s Wall Country: Every Footstep Counts

Before you set off

• Take a map or guidebook, good footwear, waterproofs and warm layers, plenty of water and a fully charged phone. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information
• The Ordnance Survey Explorer maps for the Trail are 314, 315, 316 and OL43. GOV.UK (Natural England): Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail
• Mobile signal is weakest in the high central section. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information · checked 29 Oct 2026
• Parts of the Solway coast can flood at high tide, so GOV.UK says to check tide times before setting off. GOV.UK (Natural England): Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail
• There is normally no right to wild camp along the Trail; ask the landowner’s permission. National Trails: Hadrian’s Wall Path, trail information

Visiting without the whole walk

English Heritage says the AD122 bus runs between Hexham and Walltown, stopping at sites including Chesters and Housesteads. English Heritage: Hadrian’s Wall FAQs · checked 29 Oct 2026 English Heritage cares for twenty free-to-enter sites along the Wall. English Heritage: Hadrian’s Wall FAQs · checked 29 Oct 2026

English Heritage says the Wall is generally not wheelchair-accessible, but Chesters and Birdoswald have flatter, more accessible areas. English Heritage: Hadrian’s Wall FAQs · checked 29 Oct 2026

Most of the Wall is privately owned, by several hundred owners; English Heritage and the National Trust look after well-known sections. English Heritage: Hadrian’s Wall FAQs · checked 29 Oct 2026

Wildlife

The curlew, emblem of Northumberland National Park, can be seen along the Trail. Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian’s Wall Path

Next: the big facts page →