Lake District Hike or Hadrian's Wall Path Walk?

I’ve only ever walked along sections of Hadrians Wall, but I can tell you that there are key areas that are absolutely wonderful for walking and those that are far less so. Take some time to look at You tube videos about the walk. There are many out there. Unless going coast to coast is important, consider selecting key sections to walk.

I also want to recommend a website and guide, Peter Carney.
https://www.hadrianswall-walk.com/

Hi Craig,

I've walked both the Hadrian's Wall path (2008) and the Cumbria Way (Lake District) in 2016.

I loved them both, but if I had to choose, I'd say Hadrian's Wall, because of the history that you can see and touch. There are several large ruined forts along the path, as well as mile castles, and of course the wall itself. There's something about consciously following that wall that's very special.

I love the Lake District, too, and really enjoyed that walk. But (on the Cumbria Way anyway), you don't actually SEE much tangible evidence of any literary greats. You walk through a valley and think, "This hill was once owned by Beatrix Potter" or "that lake was mentioned in a Wordsworth poem." It's nice, but in a more general sort of way.

The scenery on both walks was breathtaking. You won't be disappointed no matter which you choose. I'd say they were equally strenuous overall, though both had easier stretches too. And the Hadrian's Wall path might be a bit easier to navigate (because the wall!).

One thought: You could walk Hadrian's Wall from east to west, finish in Carlisle, and then you'd have a pretty easy train/bus trip to Keswick or other parts of the Lakes, and spend a few additional days in that part of the country.

You honestly can't go wrong with either choice. I'd do them both again. Enjoy!!

I favour Hadrian's Wall. You can basicallly walk almost coast to coast. Besides the wonderful Roman Relics there are charming villages and B&Bs that cater to the hiking crowd. They also have buses that will take you from near your B&B locations to the various locations on the wall. So you can either walk there and ride back or vice versa. We stayed in a Farm House B&B right on the Wall near the west end and made stops as we drove east. The Wall does have some breaks, but has some fairly long distances that are easy to walk on.
A military jet flew right over us and seemed low enough that we thought we could see the whites of their eyes, LOL. It seems the Wall was a turn around for practice runs. We did visit the Lake District. The best way to see the Lakes is to take a Boat Excursion. You can't hike near the Lake shore in many places because of private, hotel and resort property, but if you hike up to the top of the hills, you have great panoramic views. Cumbria is more mountainess. We drove thru a pass that told us that "You have been Warned"!

There are a number of long distance paths in Cumbria beside the obvious. Brigantes Walking Holidays I believe do most of them.

Apart from the Cumbria Way there is also the Eden Way, the Cumberland Way and the Westmorland Way (and also the Allerdale Way, although that is no longer waymarked, and you may find it hard to get an in print guidebook), and that is before the King Charles Coastal Path right round the coast.
On any of them you are going to have to do side deviations to really get to grips with the Romantics.
But each of the Eden, Cumberland and Westmorland are around 75 to 80 miles and has a lot of historical interest as well as great scenery.

With the Hadrian's Wall Path it is easy to have tunnel vision and slavishly follow Hadrian's Wall, merely thinking of Romans. But you also have the Border Reivers (which is partly why west of Carlisle, especially, you see the fortified churches), also the death of King Edward I (and his monument on the marshes at Burgh by Sands) linking in to the Scottish Wars of Independence. For the 10 miles between Carlisle and Brampton I'm not sure whether I wouldn't direct someone on a slightly more southerly track taking in Wetheral Priory, St Constantine's Cells, the Jacobites (both in Carlisle and at Brampton, with maybe a side trip to Penrith and Clifton, which diversion on route takes you past Merrythought Prisoner of War camp and Brougham Castle [Lady Anne Clifford and another old Roman Fort]), and other things I will leave a tour guide to explain. At Brampton then rejoin the wall at Lanercost (and try to get a guided diversion to Bewcastle).

Hi Craig -

It’s highly subjective of course, but my vote would go to the Lake District. I have walked the entirety of Hadrian’s Wall and while in it’s central section the scenery and historic interest is high there is an awful lot of not very much happening at both ends, and it has to be said it’s less scenic. I found the walk into Newcastle really interesting but if you start or finish there it is decidedly urban for a fair few miles. Also, and it’s something I’ve mentioned here before, the Roman infrastructure was so good that we are still using the roads, hence you are accompanied by a not too distant motor road for not inconsiderable parts of the walk, reducing its appeal a little as a ‘wilderness experience’. In the Lake District this is much less of a problem although as mentioned above, the history is perhaps not quite so in your face. That said, while I’ve not walked it myself, I’m told that the final stage of the Cumbria Way from Caldbeck to Carlisle is not particularly exciting, especially given what has preceded it.

Have a you a particular Lake District trail in mind? If you have, then maybe if you let us know which it is we can give you our (still subjective!) opinions on your planned walk. I’d never not encourage somebody to walk the Hadrian’s Wall Trail - I had a whale of a time when I did it, and again when it coincided with our Pennine Way trek - it’s just that if it is a toss up between the Wall and the Lakes my personal preference would be for the Lakes ninety nine times out of a hundred. And that doesn’t really totally address any specific interests you have in doing the walk in the first place, although I’m sure you’d be able to find enough history, literature or otherwise, to satisfy your tastes! Let us know which way you decide to jump! I’m sure you’ll have a great time whichever you choose.

Ian

I personally rather like that last day of the Cumbria Way from Caldbeck. Granted it may be somewhat anti-climactic but is very rural in it's more pastoral setting. It's surprising how close to the centre of Carlisle it remains still rural and peaceful, and easy walking all day. On the way you more or less pass Rose Castle (the home of the Bishops of Carlisle for almost 800 years, the Bishop has now moved to Keswick). It's not a true castle, more of a fortified mansion house. The Castle is now a private retreat centre and wedding venue.
From time to time you can have afternoon tea there- I've not been since the Bishop moved out.

There is a short stretch right at the end which is very prone to erosion every time there is a big flood, like a few weeks ago but easy enough to divert round the area.

For me it's a nice gentle end to a great walk- a day and place to unwind. A nice standalone day as well, even if 15 miles is now sadly probably beyond my walking capacity after my illness earlier in the year.

Hi Stuart -

I wasn’t attempting to demean the last day of The Cumbria Way, only attempting to suggest it’s a bit of an anti climax once you’ve left the Lakeland Hills behind. I’m also going by reports from friends who weren’t overly impressed with the final miles - they raved about the country ‘back o’ Skidda’ though - and You Tuber Haze Outdoors found paths closed a little while back in the final section - due to the erosion which you mentioned? - which meant a lot of tedious tarmac bashing. I have been out a couple of times on the penultimate stage of the Cumbria Way in recent months and it was good stuff, and I walked the central section from Coniston to Keswick a few years back, and it was marvellous.

Ian

As an aside the new Bishop of Carlisle walked the Cumbria Way (from his home in Keswick to Carlisle) in pretty poor weather this week prior to his enthronement at the Cathedral yesterday (Saturday), with the last 3 miles being symbolically walked on the morning of the service.