Hadrian's Wall Cycle-Walk-Cycle

This event covers the whole length of Hadrian's Wall in three days. You cycle the first part, walk the central, more mountainous and craggy section, and cycle the last part.  The route passes through some of Northern England's most beautiful scenery and on the walk you will enjoy some of the finest and best preserved sections of the wall.

The terrain varies between the peaceful Solway Firth, the cities of Carlisle and Newcastle, and the wild mountain scenery of the central section of the wall. The walking is along the wall from Greenhead to Brocolitia. The cycling is primarily along the Hadrian’s Wall cycle route, which combines low-traffic country roads with off-road sections. Throughout, the scenery is impressive. A great way to do the whole length of the wall in 3 days.

Approximately 1850 years ago the Roman Empire covered much of the then known world (and you thought this site was just about mountains!) It stretched from northern Britain, eastwards for 2500 miles to present day Iraq, and southwards to the Sahara desert some 1500 miles away. Hadrian's Wall, designed to keep Barbarians at bay in the most northern outpost of the Roman Empire, was the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It is now the best known frontier of the entire Roman Empire.

Emperor Hadrian (hence the name) ordered the construction of the wall in 120AD along a route from Tyne (Newcastle) to Solway (Carlisle). When eventually completed 16 years later, Hadrian's Wall ran for 80 Roman miles (73 modern miles) from Wallsend (again, hence the name) on the River Tyne to Bowness on the Solway Firth. The wall was typically 6.5m (20ft) high and about 3m (10ft) deep. Behind the wall there were two further rises on either side of a ditch to give further protection. In 1987, UNESCO awarded World Heritage Site status to Hadrian's Wall.

Right, with the history lesson now over, we get back to what we are good at - mountain adventures. This is a combined cycle and walking route that covers the whole course of the wall, coast to coast, in three days. The route passes through some of Northern Britain's most beautiful scenery, and the walking section takes in three major fort destinations: Great Chesters, Housesteads, and Brocolitia.

• Three day itinerary: 40 miles of cycling; 15 miles of walking; 45 miles of cycling. 100 miles total.
• Guiding
• Three nights’ twin room hotel accommodation
  
• Transfer vehicle for luggage and bikes when not used
• Walk and bike in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, and visit a series of towers, milecastles, and forts

The trip starts on a Thursday and finishes on the Sunday. At the start of your trip you will meet your guide who will go through the itinerary in more detail and let you know what to expect over the following days.

Your itinerary will be:

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary. Every effort is made to fit the course around your needs and abilities.

We suggest you travel by train to Carlisle on the Thursday. We will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to your accommodation in time for the evening briefing session. Pick up times are to be advised when you have completed your booking. Once advised of the pick up time please ensure you book your train to ensure you are at the station in enough time to meet the pick up.

For your return journey you will be transferred to Newcastle railway station.

To do this trip you need to have a certain level of fitness. No previous mountaineering experience is required for this trip, however, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your day. The cycling days will cover 40-45 miles and will take about 6-8 hours. There are comparatively few steep hills on the route: you will be walking the steeper sections. The walking day covers about 15 miles of quite rugged terrain and will take up to 7-8 hours. If possible please try the odd training walk before you arrive.

The walk is suitable for most people. You should be able to walk several hours a day whilst carrying a small backpack.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

This trip can be completed anytime between April and October; however, if you wish to do this at any other time please contact us.

This trip is available for individuals and groups.

2012 Dates

You can request the date for when you want to take part in the trip by contacting us. These will then be advertised here.

For 1- 4 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 5-7 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 8+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

This trip can be completed anytime between April and October; however, if you wish to do this at any other time please contact us.

This trip is available for individuals and groups.

2013 Dates

You can request the date for when you want to take part in the trip by contacting us. These will then be advertised here.

For 1- 4 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 5-7 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 8+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

We maximise adventure for our clients, and aim to maximise efficiency within the organisation.

• In our trips we promote environmental awareness, and seek to educate our clients about the natural world and the need to take steps to preserve it. This involves avoiding pollution and minimising the impact of human traffic in the area.
• Rail travel, per person, has a significantly lower carbon footprint than flying or driving equivalent routes. Accordingly, we arrange for pickup and drop off at two convenient locations: Newcastle and Carlisle. You can get to one of these locations by rail from just about anywhere in the country.
• Your adventures are done by human power: cycling and walking. You do the whole course of the wall under your own steam.
• Where we use support vehicles, we maximise efficiency in their use: using local providers and using an appropriate vehicle for our needs.
• The trip is run at an appropriate time of year to minimise the impact of walking and cycle travel on the trails used for the event.
• We go paperless where possible, and reuse and recycle the materials we use, and avoid consumable and disposable products where possible.
• Staff are trained to develop and apply procedures that promote environmental awareness and preservation.

Northern Rail has a maximum of 2 bikes per train.

• Professional event organisation
• Qualified mountain leaders on walk day
• Qualified cycle guides on cycling days
• Transfers from point of arrival and point of departure as well as during the trip to the start and finish points of your walks
• Baggage and cycle equipment transfer
• Cycle hire available at a surcharge
• Option to use your own bike (mountain or trail bike)
• Briefing, route planning and equipment check to ensure you have everything you need to fully enjoy the following days
• 3 nights twin room hotel accommodation with breakfast. Single room upgrades available at a surcharge.
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders

2011-12 Price: £499 per person

Optional Cycle hire supplement: £100