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 warned 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).