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Guide towalking hadrian’s wallWho are Macs Adventure? p.2All about walking Hadrian's Wallp.3Climate Accommodation & bag transfer p.4Travel & Planning an itinerary p.5Hadrian’s Wall p.6Other popular itineraries p.7Eating & Drinking along the walk p.8How fit do I need to be? p.9What to pack for your Hadrian’s Wall adventure p.10Frequently Asked Questions p.11How to book your Hadrian’s Wall trip p.13#MacsMoment p.14macsadventure.com
Who are Macs Adventure?Hello and welcome to our guide to Walking Hadrian’s Wall.Since 2003, we have specialised in arranging self guided walking holidays, cyclingholidays and tailor made adventures in the UK, Europe and around the world.We are delighted to have helped thousands of travellers enjoy authenticexperiences, rewarding challenges, active adventures and relaxing breaks sincewe started out in 2003.Convenience & Peace of MindWe arrange everything for youQuality, hand pickedaccommodationDoor to door baggage transferRelax while we take care of your trip24/7 Emergency telephone supportThe Hadrian’s Wall Walk is one of our most popular walking tours, and we havearranged itineraries for over 6000 walkers on the trail to date.The circuit is also a big favourite of our experienced team, and various teammembers have walked all or parts of the trail themselves, so we can offer firsthand experience of both of the circuit, and the accomodations along the waywhich we have researched carefully.To arrange a complete walking trip on the Hadrian’s Wall, contact ourspecialists at hello@macsadventure.com, or browse ourCotswolds itineraries on our website.Tailor Made ServiceKnowleadgeable, personal adviceChoose from our extensiverange of toursStart on any dateChoose your ideal durationsBook with confidence98% would recommend to afriendRead 2400 unbiased reviewsBenefit from 100% financialView all the Hadrian’s Wall Walks on our websiteprotectionExpert, first-hand knowledgeEach year thousands trust us.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com2
All about Hadrian’s Wall WalkHistorynavigationmacs app navigationHadrian’s Wall is Britain’s 13th NationalTrail and the first National Trail tobecome a UNESCO World HeritageSite. The path is 84 miles long fromstart to end and separates the borderbetween England and Scotland. Thetrail is a 2nd-century fortificationwhich was built on EmperorHadrian’s order in AD122.Although the route is well waymarked andmuch of it follows a well laid outpath it is always highly recommendedthatyouareacompetentnavigator, especially if the weathertakes a turn for the worst.Our handy Macs Adventure App means thatin addition to the printed route notes andmaps that we send by post, you can alsoaccess each route drawn on richly-detailedmapping with your smartphone. Zoom in toview the map in greater depth, and see yourday’s progress as a point on the route.Route & TerrainThis tour is graded anywherebetween easy to moderate andstrenuous, depending on whichitinerary you choose. It is mostsuited for those walkers withprevious long distance experience.The route is a mixture of paths,tracks and minor roads. Some of thepaths can become very muddy andboggy and negotiating this terraincan be slow-going at times. Pleaseread the Hadrian’s Wall Codeof Respect, which gives guidelinesas to how to care for the naturalenvironment for this UNESCO WorldHeritage Site.The app works in flight mode, meaning youcan get away from it all by shutting off thoseemails and notificaitons if you choose. Infact, we recommend it!We also recommend you go online to viewmore detailed step by step guidance onhow to use the app, and browse many moreresources.Head to macsadventure.com/app.Start Booking your Hadrian’s Wall Trip Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com3
Climate, Accommodation & Bag transferclimate & time of yearAccommodationYou can begin this long distance walkOvernight in B&Bs, small hotels andYour bags will be transferred from youranytime between March and October,guesthouses, specifically chosen to ensureaccommodation as per your itineraryalthough the longer itineraries are limitedthat you enjoy every minute of your stay.and moved onto your next overnightto beginning at the start of October due toThey all offer a warm welcome to walkersaccommodation. We ask you to limitthe luggage transfer companies and thenand traditional hospitality.your luggage to one bag of up to 15kgthey stop at the end of the year.baggage transferper person.The first day’s walk to Heddon (or beyond)Between these dates, the weather can beis one of the longer walks so many of ourvastly different, from rain to wind to gloriouswalkers chose to arrive early in Newcastle,days of sunshine. Please come prepared fordrop their bags at their accommodation inwalking in rain or shine.Newcastle and then enjoy the 5 mile (2.5hour) walk to Tyne Bridge in the followingmorning. If you would like to do this, pleaseavailabilityYou can start your Hadrian’s WallWalk anytime between April and thebeginning of October.let us know when you book.Please note that Bowness has limitedaccommodation and transport links somany walkers choose to finish the last dayswalk in Bowness and then catch the busback to Carlisle that afternoon, ready for thejourney home the next day. Just let us knowat the time of booking if you would preferthis option.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 4
Travel & Planning an Itinerarytravel to the startGETTING TO NEWCASTLEBy AirIf you are coming from outside of theUK, the best places to arrive to wouldbe either Manchester or Newcastleairports. Newcastle is right whereyou want to be for the start, whileManchester is 3-4 hours away. Youcan also fly to Newcastle Airport fromLondon, which may make the journeya lot quicker.By Public TransportNewcastle is well serviced by all majorrail and bus companies. The best wayto find out how to get there is to checkout Traveline which will give you all thedetails on how best to get to Newcastlefrom your starting location.getting to the startingpoint of the walkAlternative startingpointsOption One: Two trainsTravel Time: 1hr Approx.GETTING FROM BOWNESSThe Green Line runs directly fromNewcastle Airport into the Centre ofNewcastle. You would get off at Monumentstation and transfer to the yellow line atthe same station. You would then ride theYellow Line for approximately 10 minutesuntil you reach the Wallsend station. Fromthe station walk to the Segendum Romanfort and Museum, the official strart of theHadrian’s Wall Walk.Option Two: Train and BusTravel Time: 1hr Approx.Firstly, take the Green Line from NewcastleAirport towards the Centre of Newcastlealighting at Monument station. Walk toMonument Market Street and catch theBlue Arrow 11 Bus towards Whitley Bay.Alight at High Street East and walk to theSegendunum Roman Fort and Museum,the official start of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898Local bus and taxi services connect toCarlisle from where there are excellenttransport links from both Scotland andthe south of England. Again you cancheck the Traveline website for moreinformation. You can also check theNational Rail website. Please note thereare no buses from Bowness-on-Solwayto Carlisle on Sundays, so try to planyour your tour so that it doesn’t finish inBowness on a Sunday.GETTING TO CORBRIDGEOur ‘Best Of’ itineraries all start inCorbridge, which is really accessibleby train from Newcastle. Trains runapproximately every half an hour and thejourney can take anywhere between 30minutes to 1 hour, depending on if theyare direct or not.macsadventure.com 5
Hadrian’s Wall WalkImmerse yourself in history with a Hadrian’s Wall walking holiday, a fascinating andrewarding walk in England, from coast to coast alongside one of Britain’s iconic landmarks.Highlights Hadrian’s Wall is Europe’s largest surviving Roman monumen and a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site. Opened in 2003, the Hadrian’s Wall Path follows the course of the Romanbarrier closely along its entire length. It is one of Britain’s most popular long-distancewalks, and one of our most popular walking holidays. Hadrian’s Wall Path is extremellywell waymarked, making it simple to follow and allowing you more time to relax andsoak it in. Walk through some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery in England, and enjoyregular viewings of forts, milecastles, turrets, muesums and visitor centres all along thewall, assisting you in your journey of discovery. Discovering Hadrian’s Wall, aUNESCO World Heritage Site.Walking alongside northernEurope’s largest surviving Romanmonument.Crossing the wild and beautifullandscapes of the border country.Enjoy warm welcomes at your cosyaccommodations each night.Striding out past the best preservedsection from Cholleford to SteelRiggs.View Trip on our WebsiteGradeComfortStart/FinishDistance102 milesDuration8 - 12 DaysAvailabilitySelf Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898Newcastle/BownessApril - Octobermacsadventure.com 6
Other Popular Hadrian’s Wall ItinerariesHadrian’s Wall Path7 days & 6 nightA challenging walk on Hadrian's WallPath, best suited to experienced longdistance walkers.Day 1: Arrive Newcastle and overnightDay 2: Walk to Heddon, 15.7 milesDay 3: Walk to Chollerford, 16 milesDay 4: Walk to Gilsland, 21 milesDay 5: Walk to Carlisle, 19.5 milesDay 6: Walk to Bownesas-On-Solway,14.9 milesDay 7: Onward travelHadrian’s wall pathA relaxed itinerary which gives youplenty of time to explore all thehistorical sights and a delightfuldiversion via Corbridge.Day 1: Arrive Newcastle & overnightDay 2: Walk to HeddonDay 3: Walk to CorbridgeDay 4: Walk to ChollerfordDay 5: Walk to Once BrewedDay 6: Walk to GilslandHadrian’s wall shortBreak - 5 days & 4 nightsA short break exploring the centralsection of Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.Day 1: Arrive Corbridge and overnightDay 2: Walk to Chollerford, 10 milesDay 3: Walk to Once Brewed, 12 milesDay 4: Walk to Gilsland, 9 milesDay 5: Onward travelDay 7: Walk to Brampton/LanercostDay 8: Walk to CarlisleDay 9: Walk to BownessDay 10: Onward TravelView Trip on our WebsiteView Trip on our WebsiteView Trip on our inishDistanceDurationAvailabilityNewcastle - Bowness7 Days Walking7 Days & 6 NightsMarch - OctoberStart/FinishNewcastle - BownessStart/FinishCorbridge/GilslandDistance10 Days WalkingDistance5 Days WalkingDuration10 Days & 9 NightsDuration5 Days & 4 NightsAvailabilityMarch - OctoberAvailabilityMarch - OctoberSelf Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 7
What to eat & drinkWhat to eat & DrinkREGIONAL SPECIALITIESNorthumberlandCumbriaThe first half of the Hadrian’s Wall PathThen you head into Cumbria, famousexamples of this sweet, toffee desertis in Northumberland, famous for a fewfor a whole host of local specialities.in many pubs and restaurants.must-munchNorthumber-The Cumberland Sausage is well knownland knows how to do meat! Its farms arethroughout the UK, and there is nowherefamed for traditionally reared sheep andbetter to eat than in its homeland. Incows with the combination of what theygeneral, the quality of the meat in Cumbriaeat and how they are treated, this is someis fantastic (apologies vegetarians), but theof the most delivious meat you will find.one to look out dor is Salt Marsh Lamb, indelicacies.EATING AND DRINKING ON THE WALKA hearty, home cooked breakfast isincluded with your trip, so you don’t haveto worry about that particular meal. Forlunches, the best thing to do is checkseason throughout the summer.your information pack each day to seeseafood in Northumberland is prettyAway from meat, sweet treats are Cumbria’sup lunch. If not, there is generally aspecial too. The Craster Kipper, a smokedclaim to fame. Kendal Mint Cake is one tofish, is incredible and if you see it offeredpack in your rucksack for a day on the trail.for breakfast, jump at the chance.Relied upon by walkers and climbers forAlso, with over 100 miles of coast, thea century (it is 100 years old in 2018) thisAway from savouries, there are the famoushigh energy, minty treat is worh a try. It issingin’ hingies. These are flatter, tastierbasically sugar and mint, so be careful youscones, incredibly moreish! To accompanydon’t have too much, or you will find yourselfthese, you could sample some Earl Grey tea,running up those Fells. Sticky Toffee puddingfamously first blended in Northumberland.originated in Cumbria, so you will find manydazzlingSelf Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898if there are any stops available to picktearoom, bakery or shop in town whereyou can pick up supplies, or you canask your accommodation providerthe night before, they will be morethan happy to put together a packedlunch for you. With evening meals, it’salways a good bet to ask your hostsfor a recommendation for dinner, butwe also have a few tips for where to eatalong the way.macsadventure.com 8
How fit do I need to be?Walking Hadrian’s Wall Path is a delightful trip from coast to coast in England, taking in the remains of the Roman wall, built to keep theScors out of England. In its day, the wall was a remarkable edifice and well-preserved sections of it still remain today along with severalmuseums dedicated to taking you back to those heady days.training for a walkingThe walking route along the wall is graded differently, dependingon hoe many days you choose to walk it (you can see more aboutthis on our blog: “Which itinerary should I choose on Hadrian’sWall?”. However, the standard itineraries which fit neatly into aweek’s walking are graded moderate, which means that you willneed a good level of fitness to get the most enjoyment fromwalking the route.Walking yourself fit is a form of exercise, pretty enjoyable to do. It isreasonably low impact, gets you out and about, helps lose weight(should you need to) and is generally just a lovely thing to do.SQUEEZE IN EXTRA WALKING- Switch all of or part of your work commute. Park further awayfrom the office, get off the train at the increasingly earlier stops,or use public transport in the morning then walk home in theevening.- When catching up with your friends or family, invite them for awalk. Bring them a takeaway coffee (in a reusable cup of course)and turn the countryside or local park into your moving café.- Use your lunch breaks to go for short walks.- You will need to get used to carrying a rucksack, so for yourwalks switch your work bag/handbag for your rucksack.- It’s not a task! Walking is fun, great for the mind and body.When it comes to booking your Hadrian’s Wall Walk adventure, be honest with your tour specialist. Ask for their advice about the righttrip for you. The hiking holiday is meant to be enjoyable, and there are a variety of different options to choose from to suit a rangeof fitness level. Contact a member of the team on hello@macsadventure.com for further information.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 9
what to packfor your Hadrian’s Wall tripThis kit list is a suggestion, and of course many items are down to personal preference. We hope you find the following suggestionsuseful when considering what to take on your trip. They are based in our own experiences and you may find other solutions willwork equally well.recommended clothing & EquipmentESSENTIAL CLOTHING Good walking boots/shoes (worn in)3 x pairs of good quality walking socks3 x base layer tops - ideally thermal, and Merino Woolis once again excellent1 or 2 x mid-layer tops (e.g fleece)2 x trousersHat for warmth or shadeGlovesWaterproof and breathable jacket and trousers1 x extra warm layerCasual clothes & footwear for evenings Nightwear & underwearUSEFUL EXTRAS TOILETRIES, HEALTH & MEDICAL KIT ESSENTIAL EXTRAS Day rucksack waterproof cover or liner bagWater bottleSunglasses & sun creamToiletries (don’t forget your toothbrush!)Small first aid kit, prescribed medicationBlister plastersCamera & phone chargerElectrical socket adapter (non-UK walkers)Antiseptic gel or wipesMap and compass (maps provided by Macs Adventure)BinocularsBook or KindleNotebook and penEnergy snacksWalking polesExtra rechargeable battery pack for your phoneNeckwear/headscarf, for example a “Buff”.Thermal or fleecy cold weather trousers or tights. First aid kit - it’s always a good idea to carry a personal firstaid kit for your own needs. It should include wound dressings, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream, crepe bandages,triangular bandages, blister kit (plasters and Compede) etc.You can buy excellent readymade kits from outdoor shops orpharmacies.Sun block & lip balm - 30 SPFMedication - Please take sufficient quantities of anyprescription medication you need for the duration of your trip.Additionally you may want to take a supply of medication thatyou use occasionally for headaches and aches and pains.Toiletries - pack toothbrush & paste, floss, hand & facecleansers. Baby wipes are excellent for a freshen up.Toilet roll & a lighter to burn if necessary.For more packing tips, visit our blogSelf Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 10
frequently asked questionsHow far in advance do I need to book?We suggest you book as soon as you know your plans asHadrian’s Wall is extremely popular expecially over April/Mayand July/August.How do the baggage transfers work?Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as peryout itinerary and moved onto the next overnight location. Justleave them in the reception area of your accommodation, andthey will be collected while you are out walking and deliveredfor your arrival. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of15kgs per person.What do I do if I can’t walk a stage?If you want you can take advantage of the AD122, the Hadrian’sWall bus to see other sights, or perhaps have a non-walking day,please check out the information on the Hadrian’s Wall website.It is possible to download a timetable which you may then carrywith you.I don’t want to walk 15 miles on my firstday, what can I do?If you arrive in Newcastle early, you may like to walk the first 5miles today, reducing your walking for the second day. Arrive atthe Segendunum Roman Fort, where the walk officially begins.Perhaps spend some time in the museum before heafing outalong the trail. On reaching the Millenium Bridge, you will havewalked almost 5 miles and can either chose to continue or takethe nearby bus and train links to your hotel. The next morningyou can start here and enjoy a shorter day.When is the best time of the year?The Hadrian’s Wall Walk is offered anytime between March andOctober. The weather can be variable whenever you decide togo since the wall is in northern England and the weather isoften unpredictable!What are the best historical sites along theroute?There are many of them all contributing to the story of theRoman Army’s time in the north of England. For a detailed list,you can see our blog post: 6 Best Historical Sites onHadrian’s Wall Path.Am I able to take my dog?Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walkers withdocs as many of the accommodation providers do not acceptpets.How do the baggage transfers work?Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as peryour itinerary and moved onto the next overnight location. Justleave them in the reception area of your accommodation, andthey will be collected while you are out walking and deliveredfor your arrival. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of15 kgs per person.What personal equipment do I need?You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof),comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, adaypack and hats, gloves, etc. Check our our blog for more info.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 11
How To Book YourHadrian’s Wall adventure3 different ways to make a bookingONLINEVisit the Hadrian’s Wall Walk tour pages onour website.Select the trip you require and hit “booknow” to choose dates.You will be able to select your options andextras at the next stage before finalising yourreservation.BY PHONEWe love to chat. Call us and we cananswer any questions you might havebefore booking on the phone. 44 (0)141 530 8886 (UK)BY EMAILEmail us at hello@macsadventure.comwith your trip requirements and we willget right back to you.720 487 9898 (US Local Number)All of our tours are available atwww.macsadventure.comHOW THE BOOKING PROCESS WORKS1.Get a quotation - We will tailor make an itinerary & quotation.2.Provisional booking - Once a deposit is paid we’ll get to worksecuring your tour arrangements.3.Confirmed booking - Once we have confirmed your booking, you can make your travel arrangements, and begin thecountdown.4.Travel - Relax and have fun. We’re here for any support you may need.5.Share - Enter our #MacsMoment contest, plus we will send you a link on your return to let you review your trip online.booking termsAll bookings are subject to your Booking Terms which are available on our website, just look under “About us” or -booking/booking-conditions/. You’ll get prices for the dates you wish to travel onby visiting our website too.Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 13
#MacsMomentSelf Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call UK Office 44 (0)141 530 3639 or US Office (720) 487-9898macsadventure.com 14
7 days & 6 night A challenging walk on Hadrian's Wall Path, best suited to experienced long distance walkers. Day 1: Arrive Newcastle and overnight Day 2: Walk to Heddon, 15.7 miles Day 3: Walk to Chollerford, 16 miles Day 4: Walk to Gilsland, 21 miles Day 5: Walk to Carlisle, 19.5 miles Day 6: Walk to Bownesas-On-Solway, 14.9 miles
