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Post by timetraveller on Jan 11, 2016 18:57:47 GMT -8
I'm interested to hear the experiences of anyone who has hiked Hadrian's Wall, in part or whole (the hike, I mean, not the experiences!) It is my intention to do the whole thing east to west in July. I'd love to hear if anyone has any great memories, recommendations, or advice to share.
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Post by trekkerman on Jan 13, 2016 19:30:42 GMT -8
My wife and I did the Coast to Coast in late April. Three comments: (1) It rained every damned day. (Of course it was April. You may have better weather.) (2) The B&B's were very expensive. (3) Do the Camino de Santiago instead. the food's better and the weather.
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Post by timetraveller on Jan 15, 2016 20:49:07 GMT -8
1. Thanks for the warning about the rain! This will be my third trip to England, so I will come prepared with rain gear 2. I was hoping to stay in hostels, or camp, with the odd night in a BnB--is that feasible, do you think? 3. Check! And loved it. I'm looking forward to the scenery most, when the rain stops, fog lifts and the clouds part. Any areas stand out in your memory as being particularly spectacular?
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Post by trekkerman on Jan 16, 2016 9:47:57 GMT -8
We did not stay in any hostels. We tried to make reservations one month in advance but were unsuccessful. So get after it now. We saw only one couple tenting, but I suspect in the summer more people do it. The Lake District was rugged.(Almost Colorado Like) The vastness of the YOrkshire Moors was impressive. The saving grace was that every day ended in a small town or village. We cheated one day and took a bus to jump ahead because we were a day behind. Take an umbrella. We did and used ours. Trekkerman
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Post by annab1984 on Jan 27, 2016 13:09:42 GMT -8
I am from Newcastle which is at one end of Hadrian's Wall. It's absolutely beautiful. There are B&Bs and YHA's along the way, but you could definitely save money by camping pretty much every night. If I did it I would do it with a sleeping bag, tarp and bivvy bag. Around Kielder has the darkest sky in the UK and you can get some lovely views of the milky way, and if you're lucky the northern lights. At the other end of the wall to Newcastle you will pretty much be in the lake district, which I think is one of the most stunning places in the world. If this is on your list of things to do, do it. I doubt you would be disappointed.
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thegriz
Trail Ready!
Just an ol trail dog who has been working on the NCT for almost 20 years
Posts: 11
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Post by thegriz on Feb 10, 2016 14:17:35 GMT -8
A great trip! annab pretty much nailed it on info
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geosp
Trail Wise!
Posts: 495
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Post by geosp on Mar 3, 2016 13:27:13 GMT -8
I did a section of Hadrians wall as part of a UK south to north thru hike. Pic below is of the wall not far from the 'Twice Brewed Inn' at Barden Mill, Hexam. I used my tent on the hike but you could get accomodation there I think. I had a decent meal there. Couple of theories how the inn got its name... 1. On the eve of the Battle of Hexham in 1464, Yorkist foot soldiers demanded their beer be brewed again because it lacked its usual fighting strength. (must have worked as the Lancastrian army fled after an early morning raid!) 2. Maybe a more likely explanation is that 18th-century farmers tended to brew (and serve) weak ale. Hence "twice brewed" meant the inn offered stronger ale. Interesting to walk along a wall that has survived since the Roman occupation, though much of it has been 'robbed' by locals over the centuries to build other nearby structures. (homes, walls, castle) My other memory of the area was of the 'midges' which are small biting flying insects. Take some repellant. Take rain gear.
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Post by timetraveller on Jun 20, 2016 17:58:37 GMT -8
Awesomeness! I depart in a week, landing in London, then a train north, and hiking from Newcastle to Carlisle. Thanks for all the great advice! I'm booked into a random assortment of BnB, hostels and barns. Raingear is packed. Looking forward to whatever the Wall offers, twice-brewed and otherwise. Thanks, Geosp, for the picture and stories behind the name--I'm planning on stopping there just because the name amuses me! I have fond memories of the stunning Lake District scenery, and have planned to hike slowly so I can absorb it all.
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