Hadrian's Wall Path 2026: Walk 135 km in 6–7 Days, by Stage

Hadrian's Wall Path is an 84-mile (135 km) National Trail across northern England, from Wallsend on the River Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast. It follows the line of the Roman wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. National Trails recommends 6 or 7 days for experienced walkers, plus time for the forts.

What Makes Hadrian's Wall Path Worth Walking?

The wall was built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian from AD 122, and the path, a National Trail since 2003, stays beside it from coast to coast. Along the way are the Roman forts of Segedunum at Wallsend, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald, the bridges over the Tyne in Newcastle, the cliffs of the Whin Sill and the salt marshes of the Solway (National Trails).

The highest point is Winshields Crags at 345 m, in the central section. For conservation reasons the trail never runs along the top of the wall: you walk next to it, mostly on grass. Only the Tyneside section is tarmac.

Sycamore Gap, about 3 km west of Housesteads, is on the route. The tree that stood in the dip was cut down illegally on 28 September 2023, and two men were convicted of criminal damage in July 2025. What you see now is the stump, fenced off to protect the new shoots that have grown from its base since 2024; part of the trunk is on display at The Sill visitor centre nearby. The Northumberland National Park has the current information.

Hadrian's Wall Path Stages

The route is usually described in six stages from east to west:

Six stages make six days of 18 to 26 km. Walkers who want seven days can split stage 4, the longest at 26 km, with a night around Gilsland or Birdoswald.

The hard part is the middle. National Trails calls the 23 miles (37 km) between Chollerford and Birdoswald “a switchback with lots of short climbs and descents”. That stretch covers stage 3 and the first two-thirds of stage 4, and it is also where the wall is best preserved. The first and last stages are the flattest.

On the Solway coast two stretches are at sea level and can flood at high tide: between Dykesfield and Drumburgh, and between Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway. Check the tide times before stage 6; they are posted at Dykesfield and in Bowness.

Permits, Costs and Logistics

Walking the path needs no permit and costs nothing. The forts charge for entry: English Heritage looks after Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald and lists current prices and opening times, and members go in free.

Accommodation along the wall fills quickly, so book ahead; starting mid-week makes it easier to find beds than starting at a weekend. There is normally no right to wild camp in England, so campers use the campsites along the route. Walking holiday companies offer baggage transfer.

Wallsend is a 10-minute Metro ride from Newcastle station. The AD122 Hadrian's Wall bus is a seasonal service along the central section and connects with the Newcastle–Carlisle railway at Hexham and Haltwhistle, which makes day walks and shorter trips possible. Mobile reception is poor in the higher central section and absent in places.

The Hadrian's Wall Path passport, stamped at stations along the way, runs from Easter until the end of October. It is sold at Segedunum, The Robin Hood Inn, The Sill, Walltown Country Park and in Bowness-on-Solway.

What to Pack for Hadrian's Wall Path

The central crags are exposed to wind and rain in any month, so a waterproof jacket comes on every stage. The Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket weighs 340 g in the HikeLoad database and the The North Face Venture 2 450 g: 110 g apart, which matters less here than on a mountain trek, because you carry only clothes and a day's food. Our rain jacket guide has more options.

Underfoot it is grass for most of the way and tarmac on Tyneside, so comfortable shoes matter more than stiff boots; see trail runners vs hiking boots. Two things to do before you go: start the 12-week strength plan for hikers if six days of 18 to 26 km is new to you, and read the blister prevention guide, because stage 1 is almost all hard surface.

Best Time to Walk Hadrian's Wall Path

May to October. National Trails recommends this period because the ground is normally dry, which reduces erosion and damage to the archaeology under the path. It is also when the passport scheme and the AD122 bus operate. The busiest weeks are the school holidays from late July through August.

On direction: the official guidebook describes the route east to west, and finishing on the quiet Solway estuary is a good end to the walk. Walking that way you face the prevailing wind, which is rarely a problem in summer. West to east puts the wind at your back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to walk Hadrian's Wall Path?

National Trails recommends 6 or 7 days for experienced walkers to cover the 84 miles (135 km), plus extra time to visit the Roman forts. The standard six stages are between 18 and 26 km each.

What is the hardest part of Hadrian's Wall Path?

The 23 miles (37 km) between Chollerford and Birdoswald, a run of short, steep climbs and descents along the Whin Sill. It includes the highest point of the trail, Winshields Crags at 345 m.

Do I need a permit to walk Hadrian's Wall Path?

No. The trail is free to walk. Entry fees apply at the Roman forts, and English Heritage members visit Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald free.

Which direction should I walk Hadrian's Wall Path?

Either. The guidebook runs east to west, from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. West to east puts the prevailing wind behind you.

Is the Sycamore Gap tree still there?

No. The tree was felled illegally on 28 September 2023. The stump remains, fenced off, and has been growing new shoots since 2024. Part of the trunk is on display at The Sill visitor centre.