Best of Hadrian's Wall
From £945
4 nights, 4.5 walking days
Grade: 2 - Easy to Moderate
- Relax, forget about your car, and let us organise all walking routes and transfers to and from our walks where these are required.
- Explore the very best, central sections of the Hadrian's Wall footpath.
- Discover Northumberland's dramatic scenery and the picturesque town of Haltwhistle.
- Join a friendly group of like-minded walkers and make new hiking friends.
- Make the most of our walk leader's experience and never miss out on a great view or perfect lunch spot.
We will walk around 11-15km ( 7-9 miles) in a full walking day on tracks which have some ascent and descent, occasionally on rough steps.
The holiday cost on a full board basis with single en-suite accommodation is £945 (April and Oct) and £995 (July). If you are travelling with a friend or partner and would like to share a room, this reduces to £825 (April and Oct) and £845 (July) per person (please contact us for availability).
N. Watkins
Great experience due largely to Steve. He is an experienced hiker and host. He made a point of including all members of the group whatever their hiking levels.
F. O Connell
I had previously booked with Skyline walking holidays. The Hadrian's wall walk was paced well and amended when needed because of weather conditions. The accommodation and meals excellent.
J. Spencer
'I had a fantastic time. Very well planned itinerary to take in all the best the area has to offer. Very good options for changing weather, etc'.
Holiday Details
-
Holiday Overview
With our Hadrian’s Wall programme we have tried to offer a chance to really soak up the atmosphere of this historic area, while also providing inspiring walks that are filled with interest and that give wonderful views across this dramatic landscape, as well as a good 'leg-stretch'! Our group size will be limited to around 8 people.
We will take in some of the very best walking anywhere on the Hadrian’s Wall trail, with time to take a break at some of the well-preserved historic sites that we will pass. -
-
What's Included
- 4 nights single occupancy (4 x dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunch) at the Centre of Britain Hotel.
- The services of our qualified Mountain Leader who will host this holiday and lead all walks.
- The cost of any taxi / minibus transfers to the start or end of our day's walk.
-
What's Not Included
- Our itinerary does not include any paid visits to museums in this area and if you wish to do so in your own time (e.g. at the end of an afternoon), we ask that you meet the cost of entry to these.
- Travel to the start of the holiday, travel insurance, and personal expenses such as additional drinks and snacks.
-
Grade
-
This is a Grade 2, 'Easy to Moderate’ walking holiday, designed for those who would like to walk for 5-6 hours in a day, and 3-4 hours on a half-day. Routes usually involve only gentle ascent and descent, and all walking is on good paths with no technical difficulties. Our aim is always to take our walks at a steady pace, stopping for breaks and to admire the views.
-
Itinerary
Day 1 - Burnhead to Greenhead
Join us by 2:00 pm when we will meet in hotel reception for a half day walk to shake off the journey and to get familiar with walking along the famous path. We begin at Burnhead, from where we set off along this elevated section with expansive views across to the North from where the ancient tribes once advanced to compel Hadrian to begin his awe-inspiring project.
We pass Aesica Roman Fort, turrets and milecastles as we walk on easy ground gently downhill into the village of Greenhead where our transport awaits to return us to the hotel.
[3 hours walking, 6 km]
Day 2 - Greenhead to Lanercost Priory
On this day we head west from Greenhead to follow the wall as it rises above the River Irthing which can be seen snaking around in the valley below, after which we arrive at Birdoswald Roman Fort. There is time to explore this remarkable site before we continue west, past turrets and milecastles, finally descending into the grounds of Lanercost Priory. The priory is a dramatic place to end the day’s walk. A superbly preserved building, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
[6 hours walking, 14 km]
Day 3 - Burnhead to Sewing Shields
Time to head east! Picking up our route once again at Burnhead we enjoy perhaps the most fascinating day of the wall’s length. This central section is dramatic and elevated with great views north and south, and our route follows a challenging path that rises and falls as it passes numerous sites with well-preserved remains of Roman architecture.
As we continue, we pass Sycamore Gap and climb Steel Rigg to be rewarded with views down to Crag Lough, then head down to perhaps the best-preserved site of all at Housesteads Fort, where we take a break to soak up the atmosphere of a site that 1900 years ago was a hive of industry and a centre of Roman life.
Continuing, we reach the milecastle at Sewing Shields to pick up our transport back to Haltwhistle and a welcome rest!
[6 hours walking, 12.5 km]
Day 4 - Sewing Shields to Chollerford
We continue from our previous day’s end-point to walk the path towards Chollerford. Brocolitia Roman Fort provides a fascinating place to explore before we approach the attractive town of Chollerford via Chester’s Roman Fort. This is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain with unusually well-preserved baths, steam room, and officers' quarters. Entering the town of Chollerford brings attractive views of the River Tyne and the historic Chollerford Bridge, as well as welcome refreshments at the local hotel.
[6 hours walking, 13 km]
Day 5 - Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle
A delightful section of the Tyne River Trail provides a low-level finish to our walking week. We follow the trail from Bardon Mill back to Haltwhistle, along the banks of the meandering river and through picturesque valley woodland. This easy trail provides a fitting conclusion to our week and a chance to enjoy some walking time before the journey home begins. We aim to be back at our hotel by 1:30 pm.
[3 hours walking, 7.5 km]
Please note that the above itinerary is subject to weather conditions being favourable. Walking times and distances shown are approximations and may vary. Our aim, above all, is to make the right choice each day so that we enjoy the most appropriate route for the conditions.
Accommodation
Our base is the Centre of Britain Hotel. This is Haltwhistle’s most historic building. The oldest part of the hotel was a Border Reivers' Pele Tower, dating from the 15th century. Later it became a Manor House, Excise Office, Coaching Inn, Post Office, Temperance Hotel, Pub and Café.
Accommodation is in single occupancy en-suite rooms, and meals are provided in the residents' dining room. The hotel has a welcoming cosy atmosphere, and bedrooms are spacious and very comfortable.
Hotel postcode: NE49 0BH
To reach Haltwhistle train station: Frequent trains run between Newcastle and Carlisle, stopping at Haltwhistle, and both cities are well connected to intercity services.
The hotel offers a free pick up service from the train station at Haltwhistle. Just contact them on the day prior to arrival to arrange this if you would like to use it.
Dates & Booking
Skyline Walking Holidays
Best of Hadrian's Wall
Best of Hadrian's Wall
HOW TO BOOK
Just add this walking holiday to your basket, secure your place with a low deposit payment of £150 at the checkout, and we will be in touch very soon to confirm your place and preferences.
If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.
We'd love you to join us!
Share
- We plant a tree for every booking
- We use venues with a strong earth-friendly philosophy
- We make cleaner travel possible
Secure checkout
Secure checkout
Certified Level 1 PCI Compliant