Hadrian's Wall Path

Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian in AD 122, the wall that bears his name stretched for 80 Roman miles (117 km) across the full width of northern England — from Wallsend near Newcastle east to Bowness-on-Solway west of Carlisle. The National Trail follows it as closely as possible for 135 km, making this unique among long-distance routes: it is an 1,800-year-old linear monument as much as a path.

For trail runners the route is a distinctive two to three day challenge. The central section through Northumberland — the Whin Sill crags — gives the most dramatic terrain and the most visible wall. The western Cumbrian section is flat and fast. The eastern Newcastle section is urban and functional.

Most runners run east to west (Wallsend to Bowness) to have the best wall scenery in the middle and end of the route rather than at the start.

Wallsend to Hexham (~50 km): Urban at first through Newcastle and Gateshead, then improving along the Tyne valley. The wall is fragmentary at first.

Hexham to Greenhead (~40 km): The best section. Chesters Fort, Housesteads Fort (the best-preserved on the wall), Sycamore Gap (the most photographed tree in England), Winshields Crag — the highest point at 345 m. The Whin Sill crags give dramatic terrain and the wall is at its most complete.

Greenhead to Bowness-on-Solway (~45 km): Gentler through Cumbria. Birdoswald Fort. The wall reduces to a ditch and earthworks in the flat Solway plain.

Start: Wallsend (Metro from Newcastle city centre).

Finish: Bowness-on-Solway. Bus connections to Carlisle. Carlisle is on the West Coast Main Line.

Accommodation at Chollerford, Once Brewed (YHA at Housesteads), Greenhead, Brampton and Carlisle. The central section has limited services — Once Brewed/Steel Rigg is the best base for the Whin Sill section.

Best time: April to October. The Northumberland section is exposed in winter.