Hadrian's Wall Path

June 6 to 14, 2009

England Coast-to-Coast in The Footsteps of the Romans

We hike from coast-to-coast across England along the fabulous Hadrian's Wall Path opened in 2003. The route is studded with authentic forts, reconstructions and museums which show us life in an outpost of the Roman Empire 1900 years ago. This is truly a walk through history.

Saturday June 6 - We meet in Newcastle. You can fly there direct or fly to Manchester and take a train from the airport to Newcastle, where we meet at Wallsend near the start of The Wall.

Sunday June 7 - Wallsend to Heddon-on-the Wall, an easy 23 kilometers. Our first stop is the visitors centre at Segedunum for background about The Wall. Don't forget to pick up a passport to be stamped at locations along the Wall. Then down to Quayside and a pleasant riverside stroll past some very interesting bridges (the eyelid bridge in particular) to Heddon-on-the-Wall. We spend the night in a luxurious lodge near Newburn.

Monday June 8 - Heddon-on-the Wall to Wall, 22 kilometers, moderate terrain From Heddon-on-the-Wall, The Path follows the line of the wall through open rural countryside passing occasional Roman ruins. Our comfortable hotel is 500 meters from the Wall and close to Chester's (cavalry) Fort, which we will visit in the morning.

Tuesday June 9 - Wall to Steel Rigg (Once Brewed) 21 kilometers, moderate with a few short hills. We start with a visit to Chester's Fort which is famous for its well preserved Roman Baths. Following this we will see much evidence of the Roman occupation - The Wall itself, vallum, ditch, turret, milecastle, fort, temple and the Military Way. As we approach Housestead's Fort the terrain changes to a series of craigs along an escarpment called the Whin Sill. It has been described as “a series of petrified waves with Hadrian's wall surfing along the top”. After three or four ups and downs we arrived at the road to our excellent farmhouse B&B.

Wednesday June 10 – Exploration Day Our hosts transport us to nearby Vindolanda Fort which is on the #122 bus line (the number is the year of Hadrian's visit) connecting all Roman ruins in the area. It's a short bus ride to the excellent Roman Army Museum. Alternately, you can declare this a true rest day.

Thursday June 11 - Steel Rigg to the little town of Banks 19 kilometers, mainly moderate with a few short hills. We return to the line of the Wall and continue past the much photographed Cawfields Milecastle (No. 42) and Birdoswald Visitor Centre to Banks.

Friday June 12 - Banks to Carlisle an easy 26 kilometers past Wilton, The Path descends into the Eden river valley through farmland to the City of Carlisle and our small hotel near the trail. Carlisle Castle is worth a visit.

Saturday June 13 - Carlisle to Bowness 24 kilometers. The last leg of The Path crosses the Solway Plain to the coast and, when tides are high, can be partly underwater. Back to our hotel to celebrate hiking across England.

Sunday June 14 - After an early breakfast we make our way to Carlisle Train Station and disperse some to travel to Wales to join our hike along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

The land cost from Newcastle is $1,498 covering the quoted walking program, all admissions, accommodation, daily luggage transfer, certain local transport, plus dinner at one location.

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the above program changes may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

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