Anyone done the Hadrians Wall Path?
Discussion
Just feel like a bit of a more an active holiday. Not worried about the weather sun, rain no worries. Anyway I fancy walking Hadrians Wall.
http://www.mickledore.co.uk/holidays/hadrians-wall...
Its 84 miles long. I think I could walk 12 miles a day. So has anyone done this walk? any tips etc
I assume a decent pair of boots woud be the order of the day and a set of clean/dry clothes for the evening. Im just wondering whether to go for the luggage transfer or carry it myself, maybe a 40 or 60 litre rucksack.
http://www.mickledore.co.uk/holidays/hadrians-wall...
Its 84 miles long. I think I could walk 12 miles a day. So has anyone done this walk? any tips etc
I assume a decent pair of boots woud be the order of the day and a set of clean/dry clothes for the evening. Im just wondering whether to go for the luggage transfer or carry it myself, maybe a 40 or 60 litre rucksack.
I've not done the Hadrian’s Wall path but have done the coast to coast walk a few times. I personally think that you get a better sense of achievement carrying all your stuff but if you are taking a 60 litre pack you probably won’t be enjoying it at the time.
If you don’t already have the gear for walking and camping it can get quite expensive for a one off trip, especially when you start looking at light weight gear – which can become an expensive addiction!
After your first long distance walk you realise how much gear you have carried but could have lived without or didn't even use.
My tips;
Don’t wear walking boots, get a pair of trainer type walking shoes. I use Inov-8 roclites but they are relatively expensive and not that hardwearing.
Eat at a pub every night to save carrying a stove. Take a stove for a brew and the odd meal that can be cooked quickly in hot water if you fancy.
Only take clothes that you will actually wear whilst walking and can dry out quickly to make washing and recovering from downpours easier.
Start with a small pack and try to get your gear in that rather than trying to find stuff to fill a big one.
Look after your feet with; Compeed, talc, bodyglide, zinc oxide tape and micro pore. Get your feet out of your shoes every few hours, give em a talc and change socks.
If you don’t already have the gear for walking and camping it can get quite expensive for a one off trip, especially when you start looking at light weight gear – which can become an expensive addiction!
After your first long distance walk you realise how much gear you have carried but could have lived without or didn't even use.
My tips;
Don’t wear walking boots, get a pair of trainer type walking shoes. I use Inov-8 roclites but they are relatively expensive and not that hardwearing.
Eat at a pub every night to save carrying a stove. Take a stove for a brew and the odd meal that can be cooked quickly in hot water if you fancy.
Only take clothes that you will actually wear whilst walking and can dry out quickly to make washing and recovering from downpours easier.
Start with a small pack and try to get your gear in that rather than trying to find stuff to fill a big one.
Look after your feet with; Compeed, talc, bodyglide, zinc oxide tape and micro pore. Get your feet out of your shoes every few hours, give em a talc and change socks.
Cheers for the tips. I have camping gear but I was thinking of going the B&B route in the link at the top, with packed lunches supplied and eating in pubs in the evening. That way I can get away with a 40 litre rucksack, as I want to carry my own gear.
Ill have a look at walking shoes. I do a lot of walking anyway so they will get used for more than one trip.
Ill have a look at walking shoes. I do a lot of walking anyway so they will get used for more than one trip.
Cotty: I'm a keen walker but I tend to do daywalks rather than long distance. The way you're planning on doing it sounds great: B&Bs, eat in the pub, packed lunches provided. If you are arranging it that to be honest why not get the luggage transfer too! That way you can be carrying a light pack with just what you need for the day!
Having not walked Hadrian's wall I don't know how much ascent/descent there is in it. What I DO know is that lugging a mighty heavy pack up a few hundred metres gets draining.
I can recommend Rohan clothing for stuff that is light, hard wearing and quick drying - handy if you need to hand wash it at night and wear it again the next day...they also do a set of boots that are supremely comfortable (I have a pair)...the downside is that GoreTex lightweight boots just ain't as waterproof and tough as proper hillwalking, leather boots from someone like Brasher.
Also consider the requirement for maps and, possibly, a GPS: although I can't imagine a well-used, long distance path will be hard to follow...
Having not walked Hadrian's wall I don't know how much ascent/descent there is in it. What I DO know is that lugging a mighty heavy pack up a few hundred metres gets draining.
I can recommend Rohan clothing for stuff that is light, hard wearing and quick drying - handy if you need to hand wash it at night and wear it again the next day...they also do a set of boots that are supremely comfortable (I have a pair)...the downside is that GoreTex lightweight boots just ain't as waterproof and tough as proper hillwalking, leather boots from someone like Brasher.
Also consider the requirement for maps and, possibly, a GPS: although I can't imagine a well-used, long distance path will be hard to follow...
Don said:
Cotty: I'm a keen walker but I tend to do daywalks rather than long distance. The way you're planning on doing it sounds great: B&Bs, eat in the pub, packed lunches provided. If you are arranging it that to be honest why not get the luggage transfer too! That way you can be carrying a light pack with just what you need for the day!
Having not walked Hadrian's wall I don't know how much ascent/descent there is in it. What I DO know is that lugging a mighty heavy pack up a few hundred metres gets draining....
Having not walked Hadrian's wall I don't know how much ascent/descent there is in it. What I DO know is that lugging a mighty heavy pack up a few hundred metres gets draining....
link said:
The route covers rolling countryside and moorlands, but not mountains. Many people with limited walking experience have completed this route.
Most of the path is well maintained and the waymarking is generally good.
At times it can be rough underfoot with some muddy paths, so good footwear is essential. Parts of the route cross exposed moorlands up to 300m high, but the majority of the time is spent at lower altitudes....
I don't plan on taking a lot. Two pairs of trousers with zip off legs, few pairs of socks & underwear (will do a wash half way), couple of base layers, fleese, waterproof jacket & trousers. Pair of trainers & couple of T shirts for the evening. Difference between what I would have transferred and what I need for the day wont be much different. I will probably load up and do a couple of 10 mile walks and then reasses. Most of the path is well maintained and the waymarking is generally good.
At times it can be rough underfoot with some muddy paths, so good footwear is essential. Parts of the route cross exposed moorlands up to 300m high, but the majority of the time is spent at lower altitudes....
Don said:
I can recommend Rohan clothing for stuff that is light, hard wearing and quick drying - handy if you need to hand wash it at night and wear it again the next day...they also do a set of boots that are supremely comfortable (I have a pair)...the downside is that GoreTex lightweight boots just ain't as waterproof and tough as proper hillwalking, leather boots from someone like Brasher.
I looked at Brasher and they do look very good but seemed a bit overkill for my needs. I ened up with a pair of Scarpa after being measured and trying on four different pairs of shoes/boots. They are casual enough that I could wear them down the pub but tough enough for what I need, at the moment. If I get into it then maybe I will look at buying a pair of Brashers.Don said:
Also consider the requirement for maps and, possibly, a GPS: although I can't imagine a well-used, long distance path will be hard to follow...
They supply maps and I have a compass, will have to brush up on my map reading, been a long time since I was in Sea Cadets. The path is pretty well marked and most of the time you are following the wall. I gave the Scarpa's a work out today. 10 miles on half woods/trail and half pavement, no problems with blisters etc took me 3 hours. With a pack on and taking it a bit easier with breaks the distances shouldn't be a problem. It did show that I need some proper clothes, a cotton T-shirt and jeans just does not work. Proper walking trousers and technical t-shirts should be on the cards.
I hardly think you need a GPS to walk along Hadrian's Wall.....
Also ditch those fancy leather Hiking boots if you have them, I did the 270 mile Pennine Way, including part of Hadrian's wall twice many years ago, using Wainwright's book as a guide....The first time... I threw my expensive Hawkins boots away the second day, they were causing me grief, so I continued the rest of the way in a pair of well worn suede Hush Puppies, never had a moments problems after that, they were like wearing slippers.....
The only advice I would give is walk at a time of year when it stays light till fairly late at night....(not in mid winter) and always travel as light as possible, what's the pleasure in walking along with 50lb on your back, if you don't need to?.......
Have fun....
Also ditch those fancy leather Hiking boots if you have them, I did the 270 mile Pennine Way, including part of Hadrian's wall twice many years ago, using Wainwright's book as a guide....The first time... I threw my expensive Hawkins boots away the second day, they were causing me grief, so I continued the rest of the way in a pair of well worn suede Hush Puppies, never had a moments problems after that, they were like wearing slippers.....
The only advice I would give is walk at a time of year when it stays light till fairly late at night....(not in mid winter) and always travel as light as possible, what's the pleasure in walking along with 50lb on your back, if you don't need to?.......
Have fun....
Also ditch those fancy leather Hiking boots if you have them, I did the 270 mile Pennine Way, including part of Hadrian's wall twice many years ago, using Wainwright's book as a guide....The first time... I threw my expensive Hawkins boots away the second day, they were causing me grief, so I continued the rest of the way in a pair of well worn suede Hush Puppies, never had a moments problems after that, they were like wearing slippers.....
The only advice I would give is walk at a time of year when it stays light till fairly late at night....(not in mid winter) and always travel as light as possible, what's the pleasure in walking along with 50lb on your back, if you don't need to?.......
Have fun....
Also ditch those fancy leather Hiking boots if you have them, I did the 270 mile Pennine Way, including part of Hadrian's wall twice many years ago, using Wainwright's book as a guide....The first time... I threw my expensive Hawkins boots away the second day, they were causing me grief, so I continued the rest of the way in a pair of well worn suede Hush Puppies, never had a moments problems after that, they were like wearing slippers.....
The only advice I would give is walk at a time of year when it stays light till fairly late at night....(not in mid winter) and always travel as light as possible, what's the pleasure in walking along with 50lb on your back, if you don't need to?.......
Have fun....
Wacky Racer said:
(Just make sure you wear them in a bit before you start)
You said you did the 270 mile Pennine Way. What sort of things did you carry and any recomendations on makes/type of kit?
Cotty said:
Wacky Racer said:
(Just make sure you wear them in a bit before you start)
You said you did the 270 mile Pennine Way. What sort of things did you carry and any recomendations on makes/type of kit?
It was a long time ago, early seventies, but I took sixteen days, averaging around 15/20 miles a day, but I, (along with my mates, (two of who dropped out on the third day)) spent several weeks/months "training", walking maybe 10/20 miles a day....I remember once doing 40, but that was definitely pushing it.....
The thing is, remember it is your hard earned holiday...not a route march, so don't overdo it, I would suggest around 8-12 miles a day, stopping off in Pubs etc, along the way.
If you plan to walk with a companion/friend, make sure he/she is up to it too, and they are easy going company, 'cos on a long walk in adverse conditions, heavy rain etc, tempers can fray easily, spoiling things for everyone.
As I said, travel as light as possible, even to things like taking half a tube of toothpaste rather than a full one...you get the idea....Take adequate light wet weather clothing, because it could easily rain five days in a row even in June/July, but hopefully not.
I used to enjoy staying in Youth Hostels, but many of them have shut down now, compared to twenty/thirty years ago....personally, I rather liked the "basic" ones, rather than the ones that were more like three star hotels....Much better "atmosphere".....
I was lucky, I did the walk setting off in June both times and only had two days rain...It's a lottery regarding the weather......
The only thing I will say is you might find too many days walking along/on the wall a bit boring, have you considered say Wainwright's "Coast to coast" walk, which is very varied and passes through the lovely Lake District.....
I fancy doing this, but it's finding the time these days..........
Wacky Racer said:
The thing is, remember it is your hard earned holiday...not a route march, so don't overdo it, I would suggest around 8-12 miles a day, stopping off in Pubs etc, along the way.
I was planning on walking it alone, I assume there will be others on the path to say hi to. I think my gym was/is planning a charity walk along the wall for breast cancer. I will have to check tomorrow but I like breasts and walking, so seems like a plan
might be some ladies along for the walk 
Cotty said:
Wacky Racer said:
The thing is, remember it is your hard earned holiday...not a route march, so don't overdo it, I would suggest around 8-12 miles a day, stopping off in Pubs etc, along the way.
I was planning on walking it alone, I assume there will be others on the path to say hi to. I think my gym was/is planning a charity walk along the wall for breast cancer. I will have to check tomorrow but I like breasts and walking, so seems like a plan
might be some ladies along for the walk ..sometimes it's nice to have your own company, go where you want, stop when you want.Just come back from a very pleasant 6 mile canal towpath walk with Mrs WR, and the old knee joints are aching a bit, perhaps I'd better get in training again......
The gym walk was for breast cancer, but they were only doing 24 miles in three days and camping at night. If I am going to do the 44 miles then I want a proper bed at night.
I have pencled this in for June 2010 next year. To get some practice in I have found a you can do circular walks on the North Downs which is not far from me.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Northdowns/download...
I am going to do a couple of the 6/8 mile walks and pack my rucksack with what I propose to take for the Hadrians Wall walk and see how I get on.
I have pencled this in for June 2010 next year. To get some practice in I have found a you can do circular walks on the North Downs which is not far from me.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Northdowns/download...
I am going to do a couple of the 6/8 mile walks and pack my rucksack with what I propose to take for the Hadrians Wall walk and see how I get on.
Cotty said:
Wacky Racer said:
The thing is, remember it is your hard earned holiday...not a route march, so don't overdo it, I would suggest around 8-12 miles a day, stopping off in Pubs etc, along the way.
I cut off the first 3 miles and did the rest, then returned on the same route, so 12 miles backed up by my pedometer, god I ache today. Perhaps a bit more cross training and bike work in the gym would help.
Edited by Cotty on Monday 31st August 16:28
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