Hiking in Europe - England

Home to kings, queens, and the Great British Bake Off, England has an open landscape, peppered with history from prehistoric settlements, to Roman ruins and medieval castles. Explore the English countryside and soak up the local history under your feet.

Source: Mark McNeil

If you haven’t completed a multi-day walk before, but you’re looking for a rich experience without the strenuous challenge of constant inclines, rock scrambles and alpine weather, then Hadrian’s Wall might be the perfect journey for you. Built in 122 AD for the Roman emperor Hadrian, the wall is 80 Roman miles or 135km long and stretches across the width of the country, just south of the border with Scotland. Originally 4.5m tall, the wall was made to keep the Picts out of Britannia and protect the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Today the wall is 1.2m high and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several sites and museums along the route which offer insight into everyday life of the Roman Empire and are home to some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Britain. 

Fun fact, this is also the wall which inspired The Wall in Game of Thrones! 

Follow in the footsteps of Roman legionnaires, medieval raiders and countless other travellers as you traverse the width of northern England and even cross through Northumberland National Park. If you don’t want to walk the whole 135km, there are several short walks in the park near Hadrian’s Wall that you can complete which take you by historic castles and natural sites including the Sycamore Gap tree memorial, while including part of the wall. 

The geography of the landscape is unsurprisingly classic English countryside: rivers, valleys and open fields making it a great option for first-time multi-day trekkers. The terrain is easy to moderate with some more challenging sections near Steel Rigg and Highshield Crags including short but steep ascents and descents. 

Stage 1:  24km, 326m elevation gain (EG), Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall: this section is mostly flat with paved riverside paths. Enjoy taking in the Tyne River and Segedunum Roman Fort.

Stage 2:  25km, 319m EG, Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford: step into rural countryside with rolling hills and Chester’s Roman Fort.

Stage 3:  19km, 467m EG, Chollerford to Once Brewed (Steel Rigg): this is a little more challenging thanks to the number of hills, but is still manageable.

Stage 4:  26km, 320m EG, Once Brewed to Walton: more undulations and therefore considered one of the most scenic days.

Stage 5:  18km, 168m EG, Walton to Carlisle: there is less of the wall during this section, but the terrain is easier thanks to long rural stretches.

Stage 6:  24km, 147m EG, Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway: a peaceful final day that is flat with a coastal finish.

This outline of the stages takes you from east to west and follows the same direction the Romans built the wall. If you would rather avoid the headwinds if you’re travelling when it’s cold, then you can always walk west to east and have a little tailwind. Allow 6-7 days to complete the entire trail, however if you enjoy learning about history make sure that you allow enough time to visit some of the historical locations along the way. While you cannot camp near the path, there are campsites and caravan parks nearby as well as pubs, B&B’s, and hotels if you want to get immersed in the English culture. 

If this is your first time completing a long hike or you’re looking to add a layer of fun to your journey, between April and October, the organisation which maintains the wall, gift shop and archeological sites runs a passport scheme. You can buy a souvenir passport and collect all seven stamps from stations along the way which allows you to be able to purchase an exclusive purple enamel badge (based on a Roman coin of Hadrian) and an achiever’s certificate. Profits from sales and are spent on the upkeep of the trail. 

To make the most of running or trekking the length of the wall, it’s recommended to travel in spring or autumn to avoid the harsh weather in winter and the tourists in summer but remember to always take waterproofs with you, it is still England. 

For an extra challenge, the Hadrian’s Wall Half Marathon happens in October every year and is open to both runners and walkers.

If you have already walked the wall, let us know your experience and feel free to share any tips you might have. If you’re planning on making the trip for the half marathon or the historical multi-day walk, then we hope you have a great time.