My wife and I are considering a multi-day hike on one of the Nstional Trails in England this September. The main focus in our research so far has been the Hadrian's Wall trail. I have the following questions: 1} We want to use a service that makes the B&B lodging reservations and arranges to haul our luggage each day. The two main companies in this business seem to be Contours and Celtic-Trails. I would be interested in any comments, recommendations or experiences about either of these companies (or others that I may be overlooking). 2} What opinion does anyone have about the scenic and historical appeal of the Hadrian's Wall trail? We have seen both ends of the trail and took a short hike on the east end many years ago, and liked it. 3) Is there a different National Trail that I should consider? Thanks.
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
Bob, you probably know that there are 15 national trails in England. Have you seen the website at http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ ? Each of them offer something slightly different, but one example that would give you a very different experience to Hadrian's Wall is The Ridgeway, which as the name suggests is a ridge-top path which dates from pre-historic times when most of the land was forested and ridges offered a relatively easy passage for people and their livestock. Gentler landscape than Northumberland, easily reached from London.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
We have been very satisfied with the walking holidays we booked with Contours - Coast-to-coast, West Highland Way & a Lake District loop. All bookings worked, properties selected were very satisfactory, and instructions/maps accurate.
Posted by
Gloucester, UK
27 posts
"Is there a different National Trail that I should consider" - it depends what you want. Perhaps if the Hadrian's Wall thing goes well, you might consider the very different countryside offered by the South West Coastal Path, or the Cotswold Trail.
Posted by
Roseville, MN
12 posts
I have not used this service, but it was one I found when looking at walking the Cotswold Way. I had followed a blog of a group who had used it to walk the Coast to Coast. http://www.sherpavan.com/default.asp