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Hadrians wall

(10 Posts)
Dottygran59 Wed 19-Jul-23 08:58:09

Has anyone done it? How hard was it? How did you go to the loo? Thinking ahead for retirement projects. Am 64 and routinely do 20k steps a day minimum. Any advice welcome. Thanks

Bella23 Wed 19-Jul-23 09:13:42

Not me but DH did it about 5 years ago. You can plan your stays yourself at B&B or a few hotels.
He walked east to west and used trains to get to Wallsend and a bus from Brough by Sands to Carlisle for trains.
Book early if you plan to do it, it is very busy. Overnight stays get booked up.
DH carried everything himself. There are companies that will do a daytime baggage transfer and book your overnight stays. I think one is called "Brigantes".After a tribe from up there.
He said much easier than the "Coast to Coast", but still quite arduous.
As for the loo I suppose it's behind a bush men find that easier than women and he never mentioned it.
Another friend did it with his DD and his wife who did not walk but drove their overnight gear from one stop to the next.
It goes through quite a bit of Urban areas on Tyne side with made-up paths then completely disappears in West Cumbria where it has been used in buildings etc.

Annapops Wed 19-Jul-23 09:41:09

We did it in May. Completed it in stages over 4 weeks (we live not too far away, Durham). We carried everything we needed for 3 days each week. All our overnight stops were pre booked. Sometimes we needed to hire a taxi or take a bus as hotel, inn etc was slightly off route. We even spent the night in a youth hostel on one occasion, with our very own room.
We found the route over Sycamore Gap the most challenging but also the most spectacular. The English Heritage forts provide toilet facilities as well as welcome cafes, other than that, behind a bush.
Some people use hire companies to forward luggage etc. We decided we'd carry our own as we only did three days at a time.
You'll meet lots of people from all over the world as the route is very popular.
The time it takes varies. Some days we'd walk 11 or so miles, then others maybe 8. A lot of people aim to complete it over 5 to 7 days. For us it was all about taking our time and enjoying the scenery.
Don't forget your Roman Wall passport. We made sure we stamped each significant stop. Then purchase your certificate when you reach Segedunum in Wallsend.
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk.

Another interesting one is St Cuthberts Way, Melrose to Holy Island. Walking across the Holy Island causeway is a memory I shall never forget, then spending the night on the island as the tide rolled in. Beautiful.
Enjoy!

Dottygran59 Wed 19-Jul-23 11:10:35

Oh thankyou. Both of you. So helpful. Love the idea of holy island. Will definitely look into that

Glorianny Wed 19-Jul-23 11:18:04

Holy Island is another place you need to book accommodation well in advance as it fills up easily.
Don't know where you live but do check the weather carefully before you walk it. It is much cooler up here than it is "down south"

Annapops Wed 19-Jul-23 11:33:19

Also consider time of year, you don't want to find yourself isolated among those dark skies. Agree also regarding weather. Can be very muddy and stony paths become slippy too. We always use walking poles. Very wild and windy up on those hills at times and definitely colder. Spring probably the best time of year.
Hotel we stayed in on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) has rooms overlooking the castle from one window and the priory the other. Stunning views.
Good luck.

Dottygran59 Wed 19-Jul-23 11:37:42

Fantastic advice. Thank you all. We’re in West Yorkshire so used to cooler weather. Lots to consider. Neve r occurred to me to do hadrians wall in stages. Makes a lot of sense. Hoping for a long and active retirement so plenty of time. Holy island sounds blissful and is firmly on my bucket list

MiniMoon Wed 19-Jul-23 14:29:20

I live in a small town a couple of miles off the Hadrian's Wall path. We regularly see Hadrian's Haul vans outside hotels and B&B's. Lots of visitors do the walk over a few days, or even a couple of weeks.

Oldbat1 Wed 19-Jul-23 20:49:18

Son in law did it over a few days with a friend. They carried their stuff including tents - but they are only mid 30s. Another friend in her 60s organised b&bs and had heavy stuff transported to next b&b they really enjoyed it.

Bella23 Thu 20-Jul-23 11:02:18

There's always the "Cumbrian Way" to consider. Ulverston to Carlisle taking in sea and Cumbrian fells with views across the Solway firth. Majestic countryside that others never think of and pretty quaint little towns like Ullverston. Caldbeck and Dalston have accommodation and shops to buy lunch. It is on part of the Cumbrian cycle route.
The Coast to Coast is arduous and took DH nearly a fortnight of constant walking. It gets booked up quickly as not many places to stay in the fells. There are baggage carriers and they will book your accommodation for you. He usually walks in late May or early June.