National Trail - Distance Hiker

Itinerary

For most experienced walkers, and those with legs strong enough to take multiple back-to-back days of up to 15 miles I recommend the 7 walking day itinerary below. It does have some ‘transfers’ if you are staying in B&Bs due to the lack of accommodation between Upper Bleeding and Alfriston, but for the remainder of the trip accommodation options are in relative abundance.

All distances are approximate, and the itinerary below is credited to Contours Walking Holidays.

Day	From	To	Miles	Km
1	Winchester	Exton	12	19.5
2	Exton	South Harting	16	25.5
3	South Harting	Amberley	19.5	31
4	Amberley	Upper Beeding	13	20.5
5	Upper Beeding	Kingston-near-Lewes	17.5	28
6	Kingston-near-Lewes	Alfriston	11.5	18.5
7	Alfriston	Eastbourne	12	19.5

Please make note of the following helpful points:

Accommodation in many small villages on long distance routes is often limited, for busier trails, such as the South Down’s Way booking ahead is essential.

Accommodation

The South Down’s Way has a great selection of accommodation to meet a range of budgets. Wild camping is not permitted by law in England and Wales, however, if you are careful, you will find enough spots to camp out for the night on the path. B&B’s, Inns, and hotels are abundant, both near the trail, and using short taxi or bus transfers.

As this a busy trail booking ahead is strongly advised if you wish to stay in accommodation close to the trail.

Hostels

There are approximately 10 hostels on the path, most of which are within walking distance from the route, and well-spaced out. For budget travellers, a combination of campsites and hostels (for hot showers and mixing with walkers) is often a good choice.

Campsites

There is an abundance of campsites along the whole length of the trail. If camping is your preferred choice of accommodation then you will enjoy the choice available. There is a bit of the trail between East Meon and Hayshot where camping options are limited.

Hotels, Inn’s and B&B’s

There are a number of hostels directly on the trail, including some YHA hostels. Be aware that between Buriton and Bury there are no hostels, and quite long stretch without so plan accordingly.

A well-waymarked, and super accessible route from both directions, the Hadrian’s Wall Path is a great place to start for new long distance hikers, but has loads to offer the more experienced.

The path features plenty of delightful villages that welcome walkers into the walker-friendly B&Bs and Inns. There is an abundance of wildlife on the route and the obvious Hadrian’s Wall, and its various museums and attractions on the way make for some interesting excursions.

Route Map

Trail Stats

Distance: 84 miles / 135km
Start: Newcastle
Finish: Bowness-on-Solway
Duration: 4-7 Days

Itinerary

For most experienced walkers, and those with legs strong enough to take multiple back-to-back days of up to 15 miles I recommend the 7 walking day itinerary below. It stops in some of the best overnight locations, such as Chollerford and Gilsland where you will also find some extra interest in relation to the wall itself.

All distances are approximate, and the itinerary below is credited to Contours Walking Holidays.

Day	From	To	Miles	Km
1	Wallsend	Heddon-on-the-Wall	15	24
2	Heddon-on-the-Wall	Chollerford	15	24
3	Chollerford	Once Brewed	12	19
4	Once Brewed	Gilsland	8	13
5	Gilsland	Walton	8	13
6	Walton	Carlisle	11.5	18.5
7	Carlisle	Bowness-on-Solway	14.5	23

Please make note of the following helpful points:

Accommodation in many small villages on long distance routes is often limited, for busier trails, such as the Hadrian’s Wall Path booking ahead is essential.
The last stretch of the walk from Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway is a hard slog along long open tracks and very different to the hilly terrain in the middle of the route.
Accommodation in Heddon-on-the-Wall is limited.

Accommodation

The Hadrian’s Wall Path has a great selection of accommodation to meet a range of budgets. Wild camping is not permitted by law in England and Wales, however, if you are careful, you will find enough spots to camp out for the night on the path. B&B’s, Inns, and hotels are abundant, both near the trail, and using short taxi or bus transfers.

As this a busy trail booking ahead is strongly advised if you wish to stay in accommodation close to the trail.

Hostels

Campsites

Campsites are available but spaced out, with some being set away from the trail which adds to your daily milage. Booking ahead, like any of the accommodation options here is strongly advised.

Hotels, Inn’s and B&B’s

There is an abundance of Hotels, Inn’s and B&B’s on the trail. However the latter part of the trail as you travel from Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway is now almost without good accommodation.

Walkers often choose to get the bus back into Carlisle finishing the walk, and for easy onward travel the following day.

Getting to and from the trail

Details coming soon

Guidebooks & Maps

Details coming soon

Trail Merch

Have you finished the walk, and want to remember your time on the trail?
There really is no better way to remember your walk than with a Trail Print from Distance Hiker. Each trail print supports us into growing this website.

Articles

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