Everything you need to know
This page provides you with a variety of information about the challenge that you might find useful.
Difficulty
The Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment. You can tell your supporters that on your Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge you will be:
- Covering a marathon distance of 26.2 miles.
- Taking on the varied, undulating terrain of the Hadrian's Wall country and the Northumberland National Park.
- Ascending over 700m across the whole route.
Difficulty
The Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment. You can tell your supporters that on your Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge you will be:
- Covering a marathon distance of 26.2 miles.
- Taking on the varied, undulating terrain of the Hadrian's Wall country and the Northumberland National Park.
- Ascending over 700m across the whole route.
Clothing & Equipment
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use either boots with good grip. Sports trainers are not suitable.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
Clothing & Equipment
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use either boots with good grip. Sports trainers are not suitable.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
Training
The Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge is a long, sustained event of up to 12 hours and covering remote terrain with steep ascents and descents. Therefore it requires a good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in.
The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also, see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
Training
The Hadrian's Wall Trail Challenge is a long, sustained event of up to 12 hours and covering remote terrain with steep ascents and descents. Therefore it requires a good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in.
The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also, see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
Money
During the challenge, there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
Money
During the challenge, there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
Insurance
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
Insurance
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
Climate
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.
Climate
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.
Terrain
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes one long day of hiking, with tough ascents and descents. The route is on good paths and roads, but it's the variation of terrain that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience.
Terrain
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes one long day of hiking, with tough ascents and descents. The route is on good paths and roads, but it's the variation of terrain that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience.
Responsible Tourism
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the rangers of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment. On this challenge in particualr we are sensitive that we are passing through a Wolrd Heritage site. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge so we won’t lecture you about not dropping litter. Instead we’d like to encourage you to support the ‘Hadrian's Wall National Trail’ who maintain the excellent footpaths we will be walking on. Hadrian's Wall National Trail have an excellent website that provides information on their fantastic work and allows you to donate to them directly. Their website can be viewed here. We would also like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in the local area. Why not consider booking an extra night in a local B&B, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements but you will also be putting more money back into the local area. For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism section.
Responsible Tourism
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the rangers of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment. On this challenge in particualr we are sensitive that we are passing through a Wolrd Heritage site. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge so we won’t lecture you about not dropping litter. Instead we’d like to encourage you to support the ‘Hadrian's Wall National Trail’ who maintain the excellent footpaths we will be walking on. Hadrian's Wall National Trail have an excellent website that provides information on their fantastic work and allows you to donate to them directly. Their website can be viewed here. We would also like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in the local area. Why not consider booking an extra night in a local B&B, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements but you will also be putting more money back into the local area. For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism section.
How much of Hadrian's wall will we see on this route?
We are sensitive that this event takes place in a World Heritage site and that Hadrian's Wall faces ever-increasing pressure from visitors and events, such as this challenge.
With this in mind, our route follows the wall closely, without always following the actual remains of the wall. The route touches base with the wall at various points, and the sense that you are passing through this historic landscape will not be lost.
The Hadrian's Wall trail officer has asked us to pass on the following information regarding the sections where we will be walking alongside the wall:
- Please do not walk on the remains of the wall itself.
- Please walk two or three abreast, rather than in a single line. This helps to reduce the amount of footpath erosion that occurs.
How much of Hadrian's wall will we see on this route?
We are sensitive that this event takes place in a World Heritage site and that Hadrian's Wall faces ever-increasing pressure from visitors and events, such as this challenge.
With this in mind, our route follows the wall closely, without always following the actual remains of the wall. The route touches base with the wall at various points, and the sense that you are passing through this historic landscape will not be lost.
The Hadrian's Wall trail officer has asked us to pass on the following information regarding the sections where we will be walking alongside the wall:
- Please do not walk on the remains of the wall itself.
- Please walk two or three abreast, rather than in a single line. This helps to reduce the amount of footpath erosion that occurs.
Challenge Timings
Your challenge begins on the Friday night and we ask you to be in the hostel by 7pm. Exact details will be provided one month before your challenge.
The challenge will start early on the Saturday at around 7.30am.
We expect the final people to arrive back at the finish at around 20.00. Delays can happen, and the return time will all depend on the speed that you walk, so please do try and book flexible return arrangements.
Challenge Timings
Your challenge begins on the Friday night and we ask you to be in the hostel by 7pm. Exact details will be provided one month before your challenge.
The challenge will start early on the Saturday at around 7.30am.
We expect the final people to arrive back at the finish at around 20.00. Delays can happen, and the return time will all depend on the speed that you walk, so please do try and book flexible return arrangements.
Food & Drink
Meals while on the challenge include breakfast, and a packed lunch and snacks during the trek. We strongly encourage you to bring additional sweets and snacks if desired.
Dinner is not included on the night before or after the challenge. Dinner is available if ordered in advance at the hostel and details about arranging this will be provided one month before your challenge date. If you wish to eat elsewhere on the evening before then that is fine but the drinking of alcohol is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
Food & Drink
Meals while on the challenge include breakfast, and a packed lunch and snacks during the trek. We strongly encourage you to bring additional sweets and snacks if desired.
Dinner is not included on the night before or after the challenge. Dinner is available if ordered in advance at the hostel and details about arranging this will be provided one month before your challenge date. If you wish to eat elsewhere on the evening before then that is fine but the drinking of alcohol is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
Toilets
There will be bathroom facilities both at the start and end of the trek. However, during the challenge, such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
Toilets
There will be bathroom facilities both at the start and end of the trek. However, during the challenge, such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
Safety
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
- The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your shoes have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.
- The weather can change in the course of the day. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket.
- This event includes short sections along country roads. Please take care along these sections and keep to the sides of the roads in single file.
- This is a long distance, endurance event. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
Safety
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
- The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your shoes have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.
- The weather can change in the course of the day. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket.
- This event includes short sections along country roads. Please take care along these sections and keep to the sides of the roads in single file.
- This is a long distance, endurance event. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided on the night before the challenge. Accommodation is provided in same-sex dormitories at the YHA The Sill at Hadrian's Wall.
We would like to encourage all participants whenever possible to book a few extra nights in the local area to fully enjoy their challenge and to put money back into the local area. There are lots of excellent accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided on the night before the challenge. Accommodation is provided in same-sex dormitories at the YHA The Sill at Hadrian's Wall.
We would like to encourage all participants whenever possible to book a few extra nights in the local area to fully enjoy their challenge and to put money back into the local area. There are lots of excellent accommodation options to suit all budgets.