UK Hadrian's Wall Highlights
Three days walking the most spectacular sections of Hadrian's Wall. Trekking from Hare Hill to Chester's Fort we will take in the forts of Birdoswald, Housesteads and Vindolanda whilst enjoying the wild beauty of Green Slack and Peel Crags to name but a few of the amazing views on offer.
Hadrians Wall Highlights Trek
A Historic and challenging trek along the central section of Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall was a Roman frontier built in the years AD 122-30 by order of the Emperor Hadrian. It was 73 miles long and ran from Wallsend-on-Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west.
Our Trek will take in the exciting and well preserved central section of the wall from Walton in the West - Brocolitia Fort in the East. We will stay in hotel accommodation for two or four nights and cover approximately 15 miles of challenging but achievable walking each day visiting all of the highlights including the popular Sycamore Gap, (featured in the film Prince of Thieves where Kevin Costner rescues a small boy hiding in a tree) Birdoswald Fort, Milecastle 37 and the impressive Housesteads Fort and Chesters Bridge.
Trip Information
Dates & Prices: View Prices
Price Rate: £250-360
(inc transport from Manchester + B&B)
Charity Option Available
Grading: B (more info)
No of People: 6-20
Book Trip
Itinerary
2 Day Option
Day 1 - Arrive Carlisle Train Station - overnight in local hotelDay 2 - Transfer to Walton village to start point at Centurian Pub - Chester Fort (approx 15 miles - transfer to local hotel)
Day 3 - Transfer to Chesters Fort start point - Brocolitia Fort (approx 14 miles - Transfer to Carlisle)
4 Day Option
Day 1 - (Clients will be collected from Manchester and transported to a hotel near Hadrian's Wall the afternoon before day 1)
Bowness on Solway – Carlisle
Starting at the wooden gazebo visitors sign which marks the end or start of the trail we will walk across the barren but stunning Solway Coast Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), crossing salt marshes and sand dunes which have been farmed for generations and first used by the monks of the nearby Cistercian Abbey of Holm Cultram. We will finish the day with a refreshing drink in atmospheric Carlisle town centre.
Approx 20km
Day 2 - Walton – Magnis Roman Fort and museum
This morning we transfer to the tiny village of Walton where we start walking and meet the existing wall in earnest. Crossing open fields we will eventually arrive at our first section of Roman Wall at ‘Hare Hill’ and then over the road at Banks ‘Pikes Signal Tower and turret 52a’
We will then continue following broken sections of wall until we reach the impressive ‘Birdoswald Fort where we will stop at the café for lunch and a rest stop with the option to visit the impressive ruins, especially the well preserved East Gate.
Following lunch we will continue East along the wall and cross the river Irthing over the Willowford/Irthing iron bridge which lies some 150m away from the original impressive Roman ruins of the same bridge.
We will then cross through the village of Gilsland and the ruined fort of Poltross Burn milecastle before making our way to Thirlwall Castle and its inviting tearoom for another well earned rest stop
Our next leg will take us up and over the hill to Walltown Quarry and Café where we will have the option of visiting nearby Cavorna Magna fort and museum before retiring for the day back to Brampton and our welcoming hotel.
Approx 16km
Day 3 - Magnis Roman Army Fort - Housesteads Roman Fort
Today sees us climb up onto Walltown Crags and turret 44b (King Arthur’s turret) a section of the wildest and most complete wall, which as had little restoration unlike most other sections of the wall.
Passing Great Chesters Fort we head up and along more undulating wild and remote sections of wall before passing through Caw Gap and up onto the highest point of the wall at Green Slack 345m, but not before passing a beautiful dead tree which as overhung the wall for decades.
After descending to Steel Rig car park and maybe a rewarding ice cream we then head up to the naturally defensive Peel Crags and yet another fantastic section of defensive engineering.
A short distance along the crags we drop down into the most visited section of Hadrian’s Wall, which is ‘Sycamore Gap’, a natural passage through into the remote north and home to an impressive Sycamore Tree, which was used in the filming of Kevin Costner’s 1991 film ‘Prince of Thieves.’
Our trek then carries on up Highshield Crags overlooking the stunning Crag Lough and on to Hotbank Crags where we will be able to see the well-preserved Roman gateway at Milecastle 37 before finishing the day at Housesteads Fort and a good look around the extremely well preserved ruins. If time allows we may visit nearby Vindolanda Fort and see some of the recent restoration work taking place.
Approx 13 km
Day 4 - Housesteads Roman Fort – Chesters Fort
Today we will complete our trek along the central section of Hadrian’s Wall with an early morning ascent over Sewingshields Crags followed by a gradual descent down to Brocolitia Roman Fort and the popular Mithraeum Temple (offerings expected).
We then follow the course of the wall past split-stone corner and down into Chollerford and Chesters Fort and Bridge, complete with phallic symbol if the river Tyne is low enough to see it. This will conclude our Hadrian’s Wall walk and we will have seen all of the main highlights of the wall and have gained a great insight into what the wall would have looked like and what life would have been like during Hadrian’s reign.
We will then have a late lunch at Chollerford before transferring back to Manchester train station.
Approx 15km
Total Approx 64km
Whats Included
- Professional Leadership by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader whom is a current mountain first aider and familiar with Hadrians Wall route and history.
- Two/four nights hotel accommodation including breakfasts
- Support / admin vehicle stood by in case of injury or illness etc
- Transfers along route to and from hotels
Not Included
- Transport to and from Manchester.
- Meals other than stated (time will be made for participants to visit local supermarket)
- Clothing and Equipment
Other Information
Accommodation
Accommodation will be in a quality hotel in the central area of the wall with breakfasts included. Lunch items can be purchased at local supermarket, whilst evening meals will be taken locally.
Equipment
Normal summer hill walking clothing and equipment will be required as per the kit list on Imp Adventures website.
Transport
Transport around the National Park will be by private minibus.