Walking with Shepherds Walks

Day 6 - Hadrian's Wall

The last day.

I could not believe it as I woke up in the morning. The last day of the wall walk with jut 12 miles lying between us and the end of the trail at Segedunum and all the rain from late yesterday had totally gone and the sun was shining as the walkers left Newburn.

On this day the walk does not follow the line of the wall, but instead it runs along the River Tyne either directly on its bank, or on disused railway lines that have been made into cycle and walking routes.

It was not long before everybody had passed over the A1, the main road running up the easy side of the country and after a quick refreshment stop it was time to walk along the quayside. The Tyne Bridge, Millennium bridge, Sage music center and Baltic Art Gallery all dominate this area and walking along the river side with these great structures really brought it home - we are nearly there.

After another 5 miles the group, a little weary in some cases, reached the end. Segedunum Roman Fort and a well deserved cup of tea was had by all.

It had been an epic journey. 84 miles over 6 days but the weather had been very kind to us. A group of individuals met up 1 week ago but they had firmly bonded in to a group of friends. As we had crossed the country we had stayed in both urban and rural locations and ate well wherever we had been.

A lovely group and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I had.

You can view more pictures from todays walk by clicking here.

I hope you can join us in August when we are walking the wall again. Click here for more info.

Day 5 - Hadrian's Wall

A day of sunshine and showers.

The weather forecast the night before was not great, but thankfully by the morning it had been downgraded to showers.

After a short transfer in a Landrover to Chollerford it was a stiff climb past Heavenfield and on to a lovely high section where you keep your height. Over to the north you have superb views of the Cheviot Hills and the flat top of Simonside in front of them.

The wall all but soon disappeared, butthe North Ditch and Vallum could still be clearly seen.

First stop of the day was Portgate, commonly known as Stagshaw Roundabout.  The group where all in good spirits as they filled up with fluids before heading off again, continuing to follow the line of the Military Road.

Lunch was just before Vallum Tea Room which gave everybody a good excuse to pop in after lunch and treat themselves to an Ice Cream.

Then it was up over Harlow Hill before dropping down to Heddon on the Wall.

Just after Heddon the heavens opened and everybody got well and truly saturated, but by the time the group had reached Newburn, their overnight stop, they where thankfully dried out.

A long days walking, but just 12 miles to go!

I very much hope you can join us on this superb walk from one side of the country to the other.

More info can be found at www.shepherdswalksholidays.com

Day 4 - Hadrian's Wall

Another dry day, unbelievable.

The first part of today’s walk past through the most walked and famous section of the Hadrian’s Wall Trail, from Steel Rigg, passing past Sycamore Gap and on the high cliffs above Crag Lough before being able to walk on the short section of wall just above Housesteads.

The only downside of this superb section is the up and down and after 3 days of consecutive walking it did not seem to cause any problems to the group.

After Houseteads there was a long gradual climb up to one of my favourite viewpoints on the wall from Sewingshields Crags.

There are no refreshment stops for the morning today, as the trail is fairly remote here and there is no access for a vehicle so it was a case of carrying all your supplies, including lunch. This I think only added to the sense of isolation that was experienced.

From the superb vantage point from Sewingshield Crags you start to lose a little bit of you height as you drop down and follow the ‘Military Road’ for a short while before  reaching Brocolitia Temple, which is located just outside the Roman Fort.

It was now 3.00 as the group head off to Limestone Corner before descending down, getting their passports stamped on the way, to Chollerford.

A well deserved drink was in store in the George Hotel before returning back to their nights’ accommodation in a Landrover.

You can view pictures from todays walk by clicking here.

Day 3 - Hadrians Wall

Guided Walk date - 9/6/09

Today was by far the best days walking so far, as we climbed up from Gilsland onto the most striking section of Hadrian's Wall so far.

Walltown Quarry was the first port of call which broke our climb. After a quick snack stop and a visit to the Roman Army Museum we climbed up through the quarry to the  most stunning views that we have experienced so far.

The group was nicely spread out but we all met up in Cawfield Quarry for the late lunch stop.

Thankfully the sun was shining and spirits where high as we all enjoyed the picnic lunch on the convenient picnic tables in situ.

From there is was another stiff climb up to the highest point on Hadrian's Wall (345 m) at Green Slack. The air was crisp and clear and it was great to look back on where we had been and it was great to look forward to the superb scenery in store.

We dropped down to Steel Rigg from Green Slack, which was the end of the days walk.

The group all managed very well. They had completed the mileage in very good time and had climbed the ascents with ease. A real pleasure to walk with.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

You can view more pictures from todays walk by clicking here.

Day 2 - Hadrians Wall

Guided walk date - 8/6/09

Wow, what a start to the day, not a cloud in the sky and we all started the day full of the joys of summer. What else could anybody ask for.

The group swiftly passed through Crosby on Eden before leaving the River Eden before heading through some lovely farmland towards our first stop of the day at Old Wall. Freshly refueled and full of energy the group made great time towards Walton, which was the lunch stop.

Sat on the village green in the middle of the village is a great spot for lunch, but it was starting to cool down a bit, so it was jackets on all round.

After lunch there was a little bit of climbing in store towards the first sections of intact wall, just before Banks before reaching a great section of intact wall just after Banks as the group headed towards Birdoswalks Fort.

After the fort is one of my favorite sections of the Hadrian's Wall Trail as you drop down over the River Irthing on a truly spectacular bridge that was put in place using a Chinook helicopter.

From there it was just a short walk to our nights accommodation.

The group have really gelled as one unit with plenty of characters who keep everybody entertained throughout the day.

I sincerely hope we continue in the high spirits that have grown over the first two days.

You can view some more pictures from this walk by clicking here.

Day 1 - Hadrians Wall

Guided walk date - 7/6/09

We are off. After months of preparation we are off with our fully supported trip along the Hadrian's Wall Trail. The group seem in high spirits and the weather is perfect. Overcast, not to hot but luckily not to cold.

We had our fist stop at 11.00 at Glasson on those great picnic tables made from recycled material (what material I do not know). Then they are off again walking along the Solway Firth,

Next stop for their lunch is Burgh by Sands. Their first ever Shepherds Walks picnic lunch, What will they think of it? Only time will tell.

It was Barbara's (one of the walkers) birthday today so I had a quick dash into Carlisle for a birthday cake which was very well appreciated at the afternoon snack stop.

After that stop they all powered through Carlisle and made good time back to their accommodation.

They all see very capable of what is ahead of them over the next six days and I am certainly looking forward to the journey ahead.

I hope you can follow the group across the country and even better why not join us on a Shepherds Walks Holiday and experience it for yourself.

You can view some more pictures from this walk by clicking here.

Hadrian's Wall - Holiday - Day 6

Walk Date – 13/5/08 – Newburn to Wallsend

It was a day of walking back into civilisation. A slightly shorter day was ahead of us and the pace was good as we followed the River Tyne. The end was just around the corner!

We passed through Lemmington, Scotswood and Elswick before reaching and passing along the Key Side, past the bridges, The Baltic and Sage Music Hall before a well deserved cup of Coffee overlooking the Millennium Bridge. 

Lunch was just around the corner at St Peter’s before we walked our last few miles to Segedunem.

Certificates were received for completing the walk, and what an achievement. We had done it!

I personally had made and built on great friendships during this trip. A group of some great characters who I would like to spend a drink with anytime reminiscing on what had been a wonderful walk across the country.

You can view more pictures from this walk by clicking here.

Watch highlights from this holiday on YouTube by clicking here.

• If you would like more information about our Walking Holidays click here.

Hadrian's Wall - Holiday - Day 5

Walk Date – 12/5/08 – Chollerford to Newburn.

Another big day ahead but by now everybody was truly up for it.

Climbing up out of Chollerford is one of my favourite sections, as we passed St Oswald’s Church on the way, which is the end of St Oswald’s Way.

As the group continued to climb they all got some superb views off to their left all the way over to the Simonside Hills.

The first stop of the day was at Portgate, now the location for the Errington Arms.

The next few hours was spent following the Military Road into Heddon on the Wall, before dropping down onto the Tyne and a lovely walk in sunshine along to Newburn.

A fantastic end to another great days walking.

You can view more pictures from this walk by clicking here.

View the highlights of this hiliday on YouTube by clicking here.

• If you would like more information about our Walking Holidays please click here.

Hadrian's Wall - Holiday - Day 4

Walk Date – 11/5/08 – Steel Rigg to Chollerford.

The day of familiar views.

We started off by walking the most popular part of the Hadrian’s Wall Trail.

Sycamore Gap, Crag Lough, Housesteads and Sewingshields Crags are all familiar names to non trail walkers, but as you pass through and view these close at hand you cannot be failed to be impressed.

A quick morning stop at Housesteads gave a number of the group a little time to look around the most famous fort on Hadrian’s Wall and before long we were on one of my favourite sections of the wall, Sewingshields Crags. Away from all the crowds in true Northumberland countryside.

After that the next highlight was the dramatic Limestone Corner, before we dropped down to Chollerford, not forgetting the stamping point at Chesters.

The weather was a little cooler with the odd shower later in the day. Again we had the wind behind us and again this is so beneficial to our achievement.

I think the highlight of the day was the well deserved drink in the George at Chollerford. Four days gone, just two to go.

You can view more pictures from this walk by clicking here.

View the highlights from this holiday on YouTube.

• If you would like more information about our Walking Holidays please click here.

Hadrian's Wall - Holiday - Day 3

 Walk Date – 10/5/08 – Birdoswald’s to Steel Rigg

After running this trip last year we had decided to shorten this days walk, hence the slightly longer first day. This made it what I feel is the most perfect days walking.

The sun was still shining and as we started our climb up to Walltown Quarry we were glad to be having our first stop of the day. This is a truly civilised way to walk the wall, with freshly made tea and snacks waiting for you.

We then climbed up into true wall country and for the first time we could look back from the high ground on where we had been. We had certainly covered some ground.

After a much deserved lunch we continued to climb to the highest point on the wall, Green Slack, before dropping back down to Steel Rigg.

After a short walk we were at our nights accommodation and again enjoying fine cuisine and drink. This gave us plenty of time to look back on what I personally think had been the most stunning scenery of the trip so far.

You can view more pictures from this guided walk by clicking here.

View the highlights of theis holiday on YouTube by clicking here.

• If you would like more information about our Walking Holidays please click here.