Ball on the Wall: HADRIAN’S WALL SLACKPACK

Note:

When you sign up for this event, your name goes directly to the waiting list. Once you have completed the registration requirements (see below), I will move you to the participant list.

Interested? Then this epic adventure is for the hiker, history buff, and lover of rolling hill landscapes in you! But first, the history...

Nearly two thousand years ago, in AD122, the Roman emperor Hadrian visited Britain and ordered his soldiers to construct a wall stretching between the Solway estuary in the west, and the banks of the River Tyne near the east coast of modern day Britain. The wall, designed to be a defensive fortification, acted as the northern frontier of Roman Britain and took approximately six years and the efforts of 15,000 soldiers. Its forts and milecastles stayed occupied until the Romans abandoned Britain three hundred years later.

Since that time, locals have been quietly pulling the wall to pieces, using the stone to construct churches, monasteries, and even the Military Road that runs alongside the wall. However, despite the stone piracy, over ten miles of the ancient wall still remains in small and large chunks dotted across the country. In 1987, UNESCO designated Hadrian’s Wall as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2003, the National Trails and Northumberland National Park Authority opened the Hadrian’s Wall Path, which runs roughly parallel to the wall and follows the original route of the wall and its accompanying defenses from one coast to the other.

The official length of Hadrian's Wall Path is 84 miles, or 135 km, however, through-hikers routinely walk more than that due to several factors: Accommodations are not exactly on the trail - some are several miles away; Hikers often have to walk to and from the nearest pub for dinner - which could be nearby, or a few miles away; Exploring the forts, embankments, and areas around the wall adds extra miles to the trip. The average through-hiker usually walks 100+ miles by the time they reach Wallsend in Newcastle.

1. ITINERARY

This slackpack adventure includes baggage transport, so each day, you deposit your suitcase at the drop off point, walk away with only your daypack, and viola! Your suitcase magically reappears at your next destination! 

May 1 - Day 1 (0 miles; EG- 0; D0) - Carlisle: Arrive at your accommodation in Carlisle, settle in and catch up on jet lag sleep, or head out on your own to check out the magnificent Castle, Cathedral, Tullie House Museum, or to enjoy the evening at a pub in town. Overnight in Carlisle.

May 2 - Day 2 (15 miles; EG- 97; D3) - Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle: Hop on the arranged taxi to Bowness-on-Solway and begin the walk. Probably the easiest section of the entire Hadrian’s Wall path - this gentle stroll through the Bowness Marshland is on the Solway Coast, Britain’s first recognised ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’ It is beautiful in a bleak and understated way that might convince you you’re at the edge of the world - which was true for the ancient Romans - this was the very edge of their vast Empire! Return to your hotel in Carlisle. Overnight in Carlisle

May 3 - Day 3 (13.5 miles; EG- 397; D3) - Carlisle to Lanercost/Brampton: As the wall was predominantly dirt and turf in this section, there is very little evidence of the wall in this area, but still, this tranquil and lovely section of rural countryside gives you time to reflect before heading to the Haytongate turn-off into Lanercost. Arranged taxi to Brampton. Overnight in Brampton

May 4 - Day 4 (6 miles; EG- 477; D2) - Brampton to Gilsland: Arranged taxi from Brampton to Lanercost where you begin today's hike along a pleasant section that follows a largely consolidated section of Hadrian's wall. After arriving in the village of Gilsland visit a local pub for a well-earned pint and dinner. Arranged taxi from Gilsland to Once Brewed. Overnight in Once Brewed.

May 5 - Day 5 (9.5 miles; EG- 1097; D4) - Gilsland to Once Brewed: Arranged taxi from Once Brewed to Gilsland, where you begin one of the most strenuous sections of the Hadrian's Wall Path as you will walk to the highest point of the trail - Winshields Crags. Although a little tougher you will be compensated by stunning views in every direction and be able to witness some of the best "intact" remains of the wall that are still around to this day. Walltown Crags and Great Chester’s Fort are also in this section. Overnight in Once Brewed.

May 6 - Day 6 (ZERO Day) - No hiking today: Relax, read, or visit the Vindolanda Fort complex; The Sill Discovery Centre. Overnight in Once Brewed.

May 7 - Day 7 (13 miles; EG- 837; D3) - Once Brewed to Chollerford: This is one of the most spectacular sections of the wall, as you journey through rugged countryside and a host of Roman ruins and forts. A particular highlight is the Sycamore Gap "Robin Hood" Tree (unfortunately cut down in 2023!). Visit Housesteads Roman Fort and Chesters Roman Fort and Museum in Chollerford/Humshaugh. Overnight in Chollerford

May 8 - Day 8 (16 or 19 miles; EG- 1037; D4) - Chollerford to Heddon or Newburn: Begin with walking parallel to the B6318 which was built directly on top of Hadrian’s Wall. As you approach Heddon where you join the Roman Road and begin to see ever more frequent signs of the wall itself before reaching Heddon-on-the-Wall, a peaceful village with an intact 100-metre stretch of Hadrian’s Broad Wall. Overnight in Heddon or Newburn

May 9 - Day 9 (12.5 or 15.5 miles; EG- 197; D3) - Heddon or Newburn to Wallsend: On the final segment of the hike, you will head out of Heddon-on-the-Wall, walking alongside Hadrian's Wall, which will start to change to the wide rolling mass of the River Tyne ending in the wonderful city of Newcastle Upon Tyne, where you can soak in some of the local atmosphere and culture, and get accustomed to the very distinct "Geordie" accent of the people from Newcastle! Overnight in Newcastle.

May 10 - Day 10 (0 miles; EG- 0; D0) - Onward Travel: Time to say goodbye and head home!

From Atlanta, fly into London or Manchester; Take the train to Carlisle and meet us on May 1 at that place, that time TBD!

2. WEATHER: The British Isles are notorious for their fickle weather patterns. We may be fortunate enough to encounter warm, dry weather and clear paths over the whole route, however, we must also be prepared to slog through the cold, wind, and rain on occasion. Your best friends in the latter situation are a positive attitude and good-quality performance clothing/raingear!

3. COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION: Cell phone service in rural areas is spotty or non-existent. If you must be in touch your best option is to carry a satellite phone with the knowledge that satellite signal is not guaranteed either. 

If you cannot walk on any given day, transportation may be available (not guaranteed) to transport you to your next destination, at an additional cost.

4. INDIVIDUAL HIKES and EVENT CREDIT:

There are a total of 7 hikes (1-D2; 5-D3; 1-D4) on this event, and in order to account for illness, injury, or personal circumstances, the 7 hikes will be posted as 7 separate events that participants can either opt in or out. Participants will earn credit for each individual hike, and those who complete at least 5 of the 7 hikes with the group, will earn credit for the Event.

5. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

In order to minimize undue risks to the participants and to the integrity of the event, this event is open only to AOC Trip Leaders and active AOC members recommended by an AOC Trip Leader. This event is NOT OPEN to individuals who join AOC solely to participate in this event. Further, participants must have recent D4 experience, and most important, must be able to get along in a group setting and not engage in disruptive behavior. Therefore, AOC members who are not trip leaders but wish to participate, must arrange for an AOC Trip Leader to email me a recommendation on their behalf.

After registration opens, and based on the order of registration, I will move AOC Trip Leaders and qualified members to the participants list, upto the maximum number of participants. Members who do not qualify or have no AOC trip leader recommendation on record, will remain on the waitlist until such time as they do, and then move to the active list, unless the maximum number of participants has been reached.

6. HOW TO SIGN UP:

a. Register for the event at the bottom of this page; Your name goes directly to the waitlist. 

b. Watch for your name to appear on the participant list, and when it does...

c. Pay your non-refundable AOC fee of $25 (Login to your account; From the top drop-down menu, select EVENTS > My Upcoming Events; Click on the PAYPAL button next to this event; Pay the fee)

d. Send your Outfitter Fee of $1450 (shared) / $2050 (single) to Kiran, via Zelle or Venmo at 4O4-754-5OO5, or PayPal to  Paypal.me/Narker

The outfitter has given us a hard payment deadline. Once you have been moved to the participant list, you have till Sept 17, 2025 (FOUR WEEKS) to make your AOC+Outfitter fee payments. If you have not paid by September 17, I will move you to the waitlist to make way for the next qualified member.

e. When you have paid your AOC+Outfitter fees, book your flight, and start packing your bags with aforementioned performance clothing and raingear!

7. COST BREAKDOWN:

AOC fee of $25, paid directly to the club through Paypal (Login to your account; From the top drop-down menu, select EVENTS > My Upcoming Events; Click on the PAYPAL button next to this event; Pay the fee)

Outfitter fee of $1450 for a shared twin room. For shared rooms, we will try our best to pair you with your best friend, but if your best friend does not show up, come prepared to share a room with another AOC member in the group, and perhaps make a new best friend.

If you prefer a single room, the single supplement Outfitter fee is $2050.

The Outfitter fee includes: 

1. Hotel accommodations (shared room) for 9 days, 

2. Breakfast for 9 days, 

3. Baggage transfer between hotels, 

4. Transportation (Taxi) to and from trail

5. Logistical support, and 

6. Tips/gratuities/surprises. 

Participants are responsible for their own transportation costs (airfare, train, etc.) to and from the event, costs for obtaining the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), all lunches/dinners/drinks/snacks, tickets to sites and attractions, and personal/incidental expenses.

8. IMPORTANT:

The AOC and Outfitter fees are non-refundable, except for the following conditions:

A member who chooses/needs to cancel may receive a refund of the Outfitter fee if another trip leader approved AOC member on the waiting list takes his/her spot and pays the AOC fee + Outfitter fee by the final payment deadline: Feb 17, 2026.

The canceling member will forfeit the $25 AOC fee, which in all cases is non-refundable and treated as a donation to the club.

9. DISCLAIMER: 

The Trip Leader for this event has elected to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay. With the exception of the $25.00 AOC administrative fee, no funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.