A four centre guided hiking tour of northern England, along Hadrian's Wall June 12th - 18th 2010. The walk starts at Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast and finishes at Segedunum Fort, near Newcastle upon Tyne close to the east coast. 6 nights bed and breakfast, fully qualified hiking guide accompanying the group everyday, transfer of luggage between accommodation, transfer of group to start and at the end of each day (where required), transfer to Newcastle rail station on the final days walk completion.
Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail is an unbroken 84 mile signposted trail stretching from coast to coast, from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend in the east. It passes through some of the most beautiful parts of England, from the wild bird-rich estuary plain on the west coast, through the rolling fields and rugged moorland of the Northumberland National Park to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. Your guide will walk with you throughout the trip and will bring this superb long distance trail to life for you. All lunches will be provided, as a packed lunch. The walking guide will be with you throughout the entire trip. This holiday follows the trail and enables you to see the beautiful countryside and experience the culture as well as hear about the history of this remote part of the UK. The accommodation on this guided walking tour is in Inns, family-run hotels, and Bed and Breakfasts. We endeavour to provide en-suite accommodation, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Single occupancy is available subject to confirmation and availability.

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES: Bed and Breakfast accommodation (twin or double share basis), Fully qualified walking guide accompanying the group everyday, Luggage transfers between accommodation, All people transfers, Transfers to and from Newcastle train station as appropriate.

This tour is operated by Shepherds Walks Holidays based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

START and FINISH: Carlisle is on the west coast of northern England and the border of Scotland.
FINISH: Newcastle upon Tyne on the east coast of northern England.

Saturday June 12th 2010 Arrive Carlisle. You can make your own way to Carlisle by train, or alternatively if you choose to drive, we can pick you up at a designated spot in Newcastle upon Tyne and take you over to Carlisle. Overnight stay in Carlisle, with evening briefing about the walk ahead.

Sunday June 13th 2010 Hike from Bowness on Solway to Carlisle - 18 Miles. From Carlisle we will transfer you to Bowness-on-Solway, the start of our journey along Hadrian’s Wall National Trail. This is a lovely start to the walk, with fine views over Bowness-on-Solway, designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its abundance of bird life. To the south we look back on the high peaks of the Lake District. The first day is very flat so you will get a good distance walked today to enable you to walk shorter distances during the harder walking days that are ahead. The walk takes you straight back to the Hotel which is located on Hadrian’s Wall. Overnight Carlisle, Cumbria, England.

Monday June 14th 2010 Hike from Carlisle to near Gilsland – 16 miles. After saying our farewells to your hosts in Carlisle we set out on today’s walk; a pleasant day's ramble through open countryside. A relatively easy day’s walk, this section of the wall is made from sod but it’s nevertheless still impressive. By mid afternoon you will see your first bit of the stone wall, which is what most people are expecting Hadrian's Wall to be like. You pass Birdoswald Fort. Birdoswald Fort stands high above a bend in the River Irthing, in one of the most picturesque settings on Hadrian's Wall. A Roman fort, turret and milecastle can all be seen on this excellent stretch of the Wall. With probably the best-preserved defences of any Wall fort, this was an important base for some 1,000 Roman soldiers, succeeding an earlier fort of turf and timber. At the end of the day before staying near to Gilsland. Overnight Gilsland, Cumbria, England.

Tuesday June 15th 2010 Hike from Gilsland to Steel Rigg - 12 miles. Today you will literally walk straight out of you accommodation onto the trail before gradually rising up to the famous Winshields Crags to Steel Rigg. As the ground starts to rise, the impressive nature of the wall starts to grow as you pass mile castle after mile castle and you experience true Hadrian Wall Country. Today you will pass over the highest section of the Hadrian's wall Trail which is a must for the photo album. Upon reaching Steel Rigg it’s just a short walk to you accommodation. Overnight Twice Brewed, Northumberland, England.

Wednesday June 16th 2010 Hike from Steel Rigg to Chollerford - 12 miles. After a hearty breakfast you have what is probably one of the most famous and dramatic sections of the wall, past Sycamore Gap and Crag Lough. This section of the wall has been used a number of times in films, so memories will jump out at you all day. Today we pass Housteads which is the most complete example of a Roman fort in Britain, and now the most popular site on the Wall. It stands high on the exposed Whin Sill escarpment, commanding breathtaking views. It was one of 12 permanent forts added to the new frontier by Hadrian in about 124 AD. Known as 'Vercovicium' ('the place of effective fighters'), it was garrisoned by a cohort of around 800 infantry (for most of its history Tungrians from Belgium), later reinforced by Germanic cavalry. Your route then takes you to Chollerford. At the end of today you will be transferred to your accommodation that you stayed in the previous night. Overnight Twice Brewed, Northumberland, England.

Thursday June 17th 2010 Hike from Chollerford to Newburn - 18 miles. At the start of this day you will be transferred back to Chollerford. This day's walking starts by your rise up out of Chollerford, and there are some lovely views North to the Cheviot Hills. Today’s an easier days' walking than the two previous ones, and there are a number of places to stop off en route for light refreshments. It is a fairly flat days walking, in stark contrast to what you have dove the two days before. The route takes you straight back to your accommodation at Newburn, where after a relaxing shower you will have a lovely evening meal and look back on the superb walk that you have nearly finished. Overnight Newburn, Northumberland, England.

Friday June 18th 2010 Walk from Heddon on the Wall to Segedunum Fort – 8 miles. The final day is a day of contrast. Firstly you follow the River Tyne through some lovely countryside, before walking through some of the rich industrial heritage which Newcastle upon Tyne was built on. Much of the waterfront has now been redeveloped as you pass grand hotels, the Tyne Bridge, Sage Gateshead (new music centre) and the recently opened Baltic (arts centre), a cultural revolution evolving from an Industrial one! Segedunum Roman Fort is the end of the trail and where you will be able to celebrate your achievement. Segedunum Roman Fort stands on the banks of the River Tyne, the last outpost of Hadrian's Wall. For almost 300 years Segedunum, which means 'strong fort', was home to 600 Roman soldiers. Congratulations are in order!

You will then be transferred to Newcastle Railway Station or Newcastle Airport (if requested). Alternatively we can add an extra night's stay for you in Newcastle upon Tyne, allowing you to make your own way home the following day.

GRADE 2: Our Hiking Holidays have been graded by using three basic categories. We calculate our grading based on distances covered, combined with route conditions and the amount of altitude gained. They are intended as a guideline, to check your suitability for a tour. Please feel free to contact us to discuss this further. This trip is a Grade 2 - Moderate - For the walker who exercises regularly. Moderate walking. May involve some steeper climbing. Will include walks of up to 17 miles per day.