Hadrian's Wall 6-Day Moderate

Hadrian's Wall
6-Day Moderate

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyModerate
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time3-5 Hours
  • Daily Elevation381 m (1284 feet)
  • Daily Distance59 km (36 miles)
  • Total Distance235 kms (146 miles)
  • StartWhitehaven, England
  • FinishNewcastle, England
  • Local AirportsNewcastle, Glasgow or Manchester
  • Tour SeasonApr 1 - Sept 31
  • History & CultureYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Gravel BikingYes
  • Solo TravellersYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyModerate
  • Tour Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time3-5 Hours
  • Daily Elevation394 m (1329 feet)
  • Daily Distance57 km (36 miles)
  • Total Distance287 kms (178 miles)
  • StartRavenglass, England
  • FinishTynemouth, England

Highlights

  • The Roman Frontier: Feel the history of Ancient Rome as you cycle along the iconic Hadrian's Wall. Almost 2000 years old, this barrier was built to separate the Barbarians in the North, from the "civilized" Romans in the South.
  • Medieval Mystique: Jump forward 1000 years and experience England's medieval prestige. The imposing Carlisle Castle and haunting Lanercost Priory await.
  • Vindolanda: One of the largest active Roman excavation sites in Europe. Follow in their footsteps and wander the same streets of this ancient civilization, whilst watching international excavation teams working to discover more.
  • Market Town Charm: Live like a local in Hexham and Brampton. With their charming and authentic country town market squares and independent shops selling their weirs.
  • Urban Meets History: Arriving in Newcastle Upon Tyne is a smooth transition from history and country, to a bustling and culturally rich city famed for it's impressive Tyne bridge.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehaven

Welcome to Whitehaven, a historic Georgian port town on the Cumbrian coast. After arriving, take time to explore the harbor, once a bustling hub for the coal and rum trade. Visit The Rum Story, a unique museum that tells the town’s maritime history, or take a walk along the coastal cliffs of St. Bees, home to stunning sea views and a rich seabird colony. Whitehaven offers a perfect blend of history and seaside charm, making it an ideal starting point for your cycling adventure. Enjoy a relaxing evening in one of the town’s cozy restaurants before your journey begins.

Day 2: Whitehaven - Silloth

Distance: 50 kms (31 miles) / Elevation Gain: 252 m (827 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

Your journey starts with a scenic ride along the stunning Solway Coast. The route follows quiet country lanes and coastal paths, offering stunning sea views and opportunities to spot wildlife. Pass through Maryport, where you can visit the Senhouse Roman Museum, which sits on a dramatic clifftop overlooking the Solway Firth. Continue towards Silloth, a charming Victorian seaside town with a wide promenade, sandy beaches, and a peaceful atmosphere. Relax by the seafront and enjoy a classic fish and chips meal as you take in the coastal scenery.

Day 3: Silloth - Carlisle

Distance: 58 kms (36 miles) / Elevation Gain: 192 m (630 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Today’s ride follows the Solway Coast before heading inland towards Carlisle. The terrain remains mostly flat, making for a relaxing journey through open countryside. Arriving in Carlisle, a historic border city, you can explore Carlisle Castle, which has stood for over 900 years. The Tullie House Museum offers fascinating insights into the Roman occupation and Hadrian’s Wall. Wander through the old town, enjoy a café stop, and prepare for the more challenging cycling days ahead as you transition into Hadrian’s Wall Country.

Day 4: Carlisle - Once Brewed

Distance: 60 kms (37 miles) / Elevation Gain: 660 m (2165 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Leaving Carlisle, the ride takes you into the heart of Hadrian’s Wall Country. The landscape changes as you encounter rolling hills and increasingly dramatic scenery. Stop at Lanercost Priory, a stunning medieval ruin, before tackling the climb to Birdoswald Roman Fort, one of the best-preserved sites along Hadrian’s Wall. As you cycle further east, the ride becomes more challenging, with some steep ascents leading to Walltown Crags and Steel Rigg, two of the most breathtaking viewpoints on the Wall. You finish in Once Brewed, near The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, where you can enjoy a well-earned rest.

Day 5: Once Brewed - Newcastle

Distance: 67 kms (42 miles) / Elevation Gain: 420 m (1378 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Today, you follow Hadrian’s Wall Cycle Route (NCN 72) eastward, passing more key Roman sites. Stop at Vindolanda, a world-renowned archaeological site where the famous Vindolanda Tablets were discovered, offering an intimate glimpse into Roman life. Continue through Hexham, a charming market town known for Hexham Abbey, before following the River Tyne past Corbridge and Chesters Roman Fort. As you enter Newcastle, the urban landscape contrasts with the rural scenery of the previous days. Visit Segedunum Roman Fort, the easternmost fort on Hadrian’s Wall, before celebrating your achievement along the vibrant Newcastle Quayside.

Day 6: Depart from Newcastle

Spend your final morning discovering Newcastle’s rich history and lively atmosphere. Stroll along the Quayside, take in views of the Tyne Bridge and Millennium Bridge, or visit the Great North Museum, home to fascinating Roman artifacts. If time allows, explore Newcastle Castle, the fortress that gave the city its name. Relax in one of the city’s stylish cafés before departing with incredible memories of your Roman coast-to-city cycling adventure. Congratulations on completing your journey along Hadrian’s Wall!

Map

Accommodation

All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Hadrian’s Wall tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.

Newcastle: Hotel Du Vin

This Hotel Du Vin is situated in central Newcastle, with breathtaking views over the quayside and the River Tyne. It offers luxurious accommodation a few minutes’ walk from Manors Rail Station. Each room has fine Egyptian cotton linen, a deep bath and a power shower. Guests can also enjoy a plasma TV, air conditioning and facilities for making tea and coffee. The hotel was once home to the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company. It has been converted to offer a magnificent bistro restaurant, Laroche wine tasting.

Whitehaven: Georgian House Hotel

The Georgian House Hotel provides exceptional accommodation, the finest cuisine and a genuinely warm welcome.

Your stay will include a full and hearty English breakfast, together with fresh fruit and pastries. The eight en-suite bedrooms are spacious, comfortable and come with en-suite, complimentary biscuits, dressing gowns, free Wi-Fi, Smart TV, beverage making facilities, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Moderate difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet country roads and riverside trails. You’ll spend most of the ride navigating through rolling countryside & undulating hills. Comfort on shared roads is a must for this tour. The mid tour cycle days are the toughest, allowing for a gentle warm up and nice cool down.

We offer E-MTBs, Hardtail Mountain bikes & Gravel bikes for this tour. If you are having doubts about your fitness levels, we recommend selecting an electric bike during booking.

Is this tour for me?

This Hadrian’s Wall tour puts history and discovery above all else. If you appreciate exploring times long past in beautiful country surroundings, this is the tour for you. There is time during the riding to wander the landmarks along route and settle in for lunch at a traditional British pub as a reward.

It is a perfect route for friends to catch up on old times, as well as solo riders on their own path of exploration. The route attracts large amounts of cyclists and hikers from all over the world, giving the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow adventurers too.

Tour includes

  • 5 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • Transfers while on tour
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For Hadrian’s Wall, the bikes available are quality electric & manual mountain bikes or gravel bikes. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.

We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.

All bike rentals come with helmet, lock and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.

What Is The Climate Like?

We offer tours on Hadrian’s Wall from April – September. At the start of the tour season, the average temperatures in Newcastle are approximately 10 °C (50 °F). This is the quietest times of the season to miss queues at landmarks. Temperatures peak at 19 °C (66 °F) in July & August. Temperatures as high as 26 °C (79 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.

The western Lake District and Cumbria are historically some of the wettest regions in the UK, but the latter half of the ride in the east is much drier. It is recommended to have emergency wet gear packed at all times while riding. Precipitation in this region is typically lighter and consistent in nature.

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.

You largely follow National Cycle Route 72 and there is frequent marked signage on the routes to keep you on course, as well as many fellow cyclists on the trails to steer you in the right direction.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.

We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.

More FAQ

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.

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Price

Hadrian's Wall 6-Day Moderate

From$1,112
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Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Transfers While On Tour

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,112
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