How To Plan Your 7 Day Hadrians Wall Trek (Hiking In England)

How To Plan Your 7 Day Hadrians Wall Trek (Hiking In England)
When I was preparing for this journey it was difficult to find peoples stories of the actual planning process. So I created this video to share my approach. Seven days is the average people take to do the distance, but even the fast 4 day walkers need a plan.
Hopefully you get great insight from this video that will assist you in getting your hike plan together.
As mentioned in the video:
The map I created and used, marking interesting locations forts, museums etc:
drive.google.com/open?id=1pEs...
Guidebook that was mentioned many, many times: amzn.to/2PgCtIK
For a simple trek a pocket sized Hadrians Wall OS map: amzn.to/2Pe8wJm
I hope you all get to have the most amazing journey!
Leave all your questions in comments and I will answer.
Look for #antaonhadrianswall on instagram to see photos from this adventure.
You can also follow me on instagram:
/ antaazure
Disclaimer:
This description includes affiliate links.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

My wife and I walked Hadrians wall in September 2018, we walked West to East. The main reason the weather in the UK normally moves from West to East. We saw rain most days, it was always behind us, Hoods up we stayed dry, Most people were walking towards us, rain hitting their faces. Another practical reason for West to East there are more options for onward travel, once you get to Newcastle, Also there is more to do and see if you are resting at the end of the walk. Apart from that good boots, good walking clothes weather appropriate for the time of year. I had walked over 1000 miles in my boots before walking the wall. We saw people walking in flip flops, feet blistered, We also saw an American lady walking in flip flops in the rain wearing an over the head see through plastic mac underneath she had on a t-shirt and shorts, she looked cold! We also allowed ourselves a little extra time, so we could enjoy the history on the way. We did some of our walk with a couple, they were on their second time, the first time they had not allowed themselves enough time to stop and enjoy the history.

[@VascoMarreta]

Great video! We just completed our walk last Friday and watched this many times. It was also one of the first videos we watched on the walk when we were still discussing the idea and all. Thanks 😊

[@davidpreston448]

Thanks for a great video. The question of going east to west or west to east was something that I found troubling. The main issue of doing a coast to coast was the public transport connections at each end, there not being many options at Bowness on Solway. I opted to go east to west as for travelling is a lot easier straight down the M6 rather than having to end at the other side of the country. It’s a personal preference. Though the sun/wind is also another factor. Everyone have a great time on Hadrian’s Wall.

[@80denver1]

Excellent presentation. Thanks for your really clear guide. I have ordered the book which you recommend and can't wait to plan my hike.

[@antaazure1795]

Thank you for your feedback. I hope your trip goes really well.

[@Rebefel1]

Excellent, straight forward useful information, thank you! Jon L.

[@antaazure1795]

Glad to hear, thank you for your feedback. :)

[@travellingwithcrowsfeet]

Enjoyed your informative vlog, thank you. We might just get that handbook your referred to. All the best. Sharon & Darren

[@antaazure1795]

Glad it helped. The handbook definitely helped, especially the few times we took wrong routes.

[@travellingwithcrowsfeet]

@@antaazure1795 good to know, thankyou!

[@wba3-berlin]

Good job

[@DesGreene]

Really useful video, Anta! Many thanks👍

[@leemacgregor]

Des are u going to do the walk or have u done it?

[@DesGreene]

@@leemacgregor I haven't done this walk. I'm looking at options for long distance walks (probably for next year).

[@leemacgregor]

@@DesGreene ok budd im preparing for it although fitness levels need to be worked on which ive started

[@1stNoelJensen]

Awesome video! I don't have a lot of experience walking in England (i.e., in the rain). What do you recommend as far as rain gear?

[@leotheangrylion]

Thank's for this very practical and useful advice on planning the trip. I'm planning to walk next summer for my birthday in August 2021. Most people walk from east to west like you did, and most guides also advocate this route, but a Lonely Planet article on walking the wall suggested going from west to east, so that during the late afternoon and the evening, the sun will be on your back and not pointing directly at you. Did you find that to be the case when you walked from east to west? Lastly, I hope you don't mind me saving a copy of your Google maps, as it saves me marking all the places of interests along the way. As for accommodation, I'll probably be staying in B&Bs, more suitable for SENIORS, as you said!! :-) Cheers

[@antaazure1795]

Hi! I'm so glad to hear that you found the video useful. Happy to help. As for the late evening sun, we didn't notice it that much. You'll find yourself walking through trees or looking at the ground in many parts. However, we did walk in September and there were only two bright days, so our experience might not be the most relatable to an August journey. I recall originally intending to follow the same advice and to walk the opposite direction, however changing my mind after a campsite logistics issue. We encountered many walker's coming towards us, so clearly there is something to it. Also glad to hear that you find the map handy. It was a headache to put together and I felt that anyone should be able to benefit from it. I recommend saving it in advance and scrolling over the path beforehand. Most phones save previously opened parts of the map in phone cache and it helps if you're ever stuck somewhere with bad reception and need to rely on GPS only. Best of luck with the rest of planning and hope you have a fabulous birthday adventure next year. ☺️

[@davegoldsmith4020]

A good place to visit is Vindolanda, its about mid wall at a place called once brewed. We stayed at a pub called twice brewed, right next door is a place called the Sil. Both places are walking distance from the pub. Great food and nice rooms if a little small, Of all the places we visited along the way Vindolanda was the best. So we night stopped two nights at twice brewed, great place to chat with all the walkers in the bar, if you are into beer they brew there own, you can see into the brewery from the restaurant. After our walk we stayed a couple of days in Whitley Bay, mainly to see friends but Tynemouth was a nice walk from there which finished off our walking holiday perfectly. Enjoy your walk, you will love it.

[@80denver1]

@@davegoldsmith4020 Am planning my 7 day hike for this summer, what other pubs/inns would you recommend to stay at along the way?

[@davegoldsmith4020]

@@80denver1 IF I had to pick one above all others it would be Twice brewed, this is at once brewed, is close to the nicest part of the wall, with Vindolanda close enough to walk, its a great museum. Further along if you walk West to East is Robin hood Inn and Kellermans Lodge, All three have great food, and good rooms, but it depends on how far you walk each day. Some places we stayed only did breakfast which meant another walk to a pub, for meals. Also check you can get stuff for lunches, as you will not pass much in the way of shops, or places to get water, Cash points are few in number.

[@oldguy8078]

Thanks! Pretty detailed, always good! How much at a hostel for those of us who are not 'youth'?

[@antaazure1795]

I'm unsure about the hostels, I think they were in the £20 pp range, but B&B were around £50 per night per room if booked in advance. If you are walking the whole length it is easy to do the middle bit mid week when it's cheaper. There is a bus route servicing the key points in the middle, so some choose to stay in one place for 3 nights and walk the route in parts. We were walking at the end of tourist season, so it is likely to be more expensive in summer.

[@BriCairns]

Doesnt have the big tree there no more, some idiot cut it down