WALKING THE WALL
Follow in the footsteps of Romans with these walking routes, and see the best parts of Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland. Visit Sycamore Gap and picture-perfect countryside, enjoy the views from the top of Steel Rigg and Housesteads. Take a hike on a long distance trail or enjoy a circular stroll linking fascinating historic sites while taking in dramatic landscapes.
The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail is the famous 84-mile long-distance footpath which follows the Wall as it snakes along ridges and crags. Diving and delving across Northumberland, Hadrian’s Wall is the most significant pile of stones in the UK. Spanning 73 miles of the country, Northumberland holds the longest stretch of it and it rises and plunges across some of the county’s most staggering landscapes.
But don’t worry - if 84 miles sounds too long for you, there are plenty of shorter routes available for people of all abilities so everyone can enjoy this picture-perfect countryside. There’s plenty of walker-friendly accommodation too. Many have boot and clothes drying facilities while several companies offer help with baggage transfers and run organised group walking trips.
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Put your best foot forward on the inspirational Hadrian’s Wall walking routes. These will take you up close to the Wall and include lesser-known stretches of Britain’s top Roman monument. Walking to the top of Steel Rigg requires a little more effort, but the views from this dramatic crag are worth the climb. Pass the sycamore tree Kevin Costner climbed in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, while a hike to Housesteads passes forests and lakes. Fascinating sites, temples, and Roman bath houses are scattered along the wall that dips and dives across the UK. This striking feat of engineering, impressive enough to inspire Game of Thrones, spans Northumberland's countryside.
Built under the orders of Emperor Hadrian in AD122, the UNESCO World Heritage Site inspired George RR Martin’s wall in his bestselling books and TV phenomenon Game of Thrones. Take a themed tour along the archaeological wonder, or ‘Live Like a Roman’ with an immersive experience day.
Scattered along the length of the wall are Roman Forts, excavation sites, ancient temples and Bath Houses that sit before a backdrop of sweeping National Park landscapes, blazing sunsets and rugged hills. Every summer, you can watch live excavations take place at Vindolanda, where 5th century gaming boards, jewellery and other pieces are revealed by skilled archaeologists.
Bike, hike, wander or tour the wall with one of the many ways to explore. The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail, circular walking routes and Hadrian’s Cycleway can all be ventured into for anyone wanting an active pursuit of the wall. Find the most breathtaking viewpoints along the wall, discover ancient artefacts at Roman forts, and uncover sections of the wall step by step on historical hiking routes.
Scenic spots along Hadrian's Wall
Explore Northumberland’s history and incredibly preserved ancient landmarks by visiting the must-see scenic spots. From Hadrian’s Wall viewpoints, to milecastles and national trails, the hidden corners of our county are often the most memorable.
While the Roman Empire may be long gone, the landscapes and battlefields Roman soldiers would have seen from the viewpoints at Hadrian’s Wall still remain impressive. With famous expanses, like the grandeur stretch above Housesteads, Hadrian’s Wall viewpoints allow you to immerse yourself in the lives of Romans.
Visit the one-time quarry of Walltown, and see how it cuts dramatically through the wall into the Great Whin Sill beneath. Walk up to well preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall at Walltown Crags which look across the site. Make a short detour to Thirlwall Castle a kilometre west. Housing many interesting features including prehistoric earthworks, a milecastle and turret, the section of Wall between Housesteads and Sewingshields has spectacular views too.
Known locally as The King’s Stables, Poltross is one of the best-preserved milecastles on the Wall. A few steps survive of a flight of stairs leading to a rampart walk. Other features include an oven and the remains of the north gateway. Pay a visit to a fascinating homage to the Roman god Mithras. Founded in the 3rd century, it is close to a military base in the Carrawburgh fort.
Standing almost two and a half metres tall, see the Wall formation change from broad to narrow at Brunton Turret. See one of the longest visible stretches of the Wall here, which is up to two metres thick in places. Visit St Andrew’s Church in the village. Made entirely from stone taken from the Wall, the church is built on a site once used for pagan ceremonies.
Although Hadrian’s Wall ended at Bowness-on-Solway, a system of milefortlets were constructed down the west coast as far as St. Bees Head. Crosscanonby is one of the last remaining examples, situated on a lovely stretch of beach. There are plenty of scenic sections for you to enjoy during your time here in Northumberland.
And finally, the remains of the bath house of Ravenglass Roman fort, established in AD 130, are among the tallest Roman structures surviving in northern Britain: the walls stand almost 4 metres (13 feet) high.
Take a break
Tired feet? Give them a break and get onboard the Hadrian’s Wall bus, or snap up a Hadrian's Wall Country Line Day Ranger train ticket and board a train on the Hadrian’s Wall Country Line. Hop on and off all day anywhere between Carlisle and Newcastle and beyond Carlisle along the Cumbrian Coast line to Ravenglass.