Hadrian's Wall Path: the key facts
The numbers walkers ask for, in one place: length, stages, seasons, the passport and what our holidays cost. Trail facts cite their official source; stage distances are measured along the official trail line and rounded to the nearest mile.
The trail at a glance
| Length | 84 miles (135 km), coast to coast [source] |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | Wallsend on the River Tyne, and Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast [source] |
| Opened as a National Trail | May 2003 [source] |
| The wall itself | Built on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian from about AD 122 [source] |
| World Heritage | Part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire UNESCO World Heritage Site (Hadrian's Wall inscribed 1987) [source] |
| Highest point | Winshield Crags, 345 m (1,131 ft) [source] |
| Waymarking | The National Trail acorn, throughout |
| Recommended season | May to October, when the ground is normally dry and the risk of damage to the archaeology is lower [source] |
| Passport season | Easter to 31 October: seven stamps to collect along the trail [source] |
| Typical walking time | Six to eight walking days for most walkers |
| Sycamore Gap | The tree was illegally felled in September 2023; shoots are regrowing from the stump [source] |
The standard six-day stages
Walked east to west, these are the classic overnight stops. Distances are approximate. Shorter and longer plans split or join these stages; the daily stages guide shows how.
| Day | From | To | Miles (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wallsend | Heddon-on-the-Wall | 15 |
| 2 | Heddon-on-the-Wall | Chollerford | 16 |
| 3 | Chollerford | Once Brewed | 12 |
| 4 | Once Brewed | Gilsland | 8 |
| 5 | Gilsland | Carlisle | 19 |
| 6 | Carlisle | Bowness-on-Solway | 14 |
The Hadrian's Wall Path passport
The passport runs from Easter to the end of October, for conservation reasons. There are seven stamps to collect, listed here east to west. Check the current locations with National Trails before you set off, as they can change. Our passport guide shows which stamps each itinerary passes.
- Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend
- Robin Hood Inn, East Wallhouses
- Chesters Roman Fort
- Housesteads Roman Fort
- Birdoswald Roman Fort
- Sands Centre, Carlisle
- The Banks promenade, Bowness-on-Solway
Our holidays in numbers
- 11 self-guided itineraries, all on Hadrian's Wall
- Full coast-to-coast crossings in 3 to 8 walking days, from £509 per person sharing
- Short breaks from £375 per person sharing
- Prices from £375 to £1,019 per person sharing; single rooms from £590
- Every holiday includes B&B with breakfast, a bag of up to 20 kg moved each walking day, and a trip pack and the Trip Tracker app
- Every itinerary can be walked east to west or west to east at the same price
Compare all the itineraries, see how long it takes to walk Hadrian's Wall, or read questions walkers ask.
Sources
- National Trails: Hadrian's Wall Path trail information
- Northumberland National Park: 20 facts about the Hadrian's Wall Path
- UNESCO: Frontiers of the Roman Empire
- National Trust: the Sycamore Gap tree
Facts checked September 2026; stage distances re-measured October 2026. Walking times, stages and prices are ours.
Not sure which itinerary fits?
Tell us your dates, walking experience and how far you like to walk in a day. We'll recommend the right crossing and confirm a firm price, usually within one working day.