The first stage of the Hadrian's Wall Path runs about 15 miles from Segedunum Roman fort at Wallsend, along surfaced riverside paths through Newcastle and out through Newburn into farmland, to Heddon-on-the-Wall and the first substantial stretch of standing wall. It is long but flat, with plenty of food in the city and little after Newburn.
It feels like
Long but easy, flat almost throughout
Walking it, mile by mile
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Around mile 0 · Segedunum
The trail starts at Segedunum, where the wall once ran right down to the Tyne. The viewing tower is worth twenty minutes before the first step.
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Around mile 5 · Newcastle
Surfaced riverside paths through Newcastle, under the bridges and past the quayside cafés. Navigation is as simple as following the river.
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Around mile 5 · Newcastle · Worth knowing
Plenty of food and toilets through the city; beyond Newburn the options thin out fast.
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Around mile 11 · Newburn
The path climbs gently away from the river into farmland. No visible wall yet: this stretch is about settling your legs and your pace.
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Around mile 11 · Newburn · Hardest part
Length rather than climbing: long, flat miles, many of them on hard surfaces.
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Around mile 15 · Heddon-on-the-Wall · Best moment
Heddon-on-the-Wall, and the first substantial fragment of the real thing.
What you pass
- Segedunum
- The trail begins at the museum: a reconstructed Roman bathhouse and a viewing tower over the fort's footprint. (around mile 0)
- Newburn
- Where the path climbs gently away from the river and the city gives way to farmland. (around mile 11)
Food, water and practicalities
Plenty of food and toilets through Newcastle; after Newburn options thin out fast, so buy lunch in the city. Heddon has a pub and a village shop.