Walking Hadrian's Wall Together- Ramble Log

 Naomi Weisman is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to Ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.

When we first announced our Sole Sister Ramblers (SSR) trip to walk Hadrian's Wall, I was excited.

I was also a little apprehensive.

Not because of the travel logistics or England's famously unpredictable weather. Rather, it was because this would be my first multi-day hiking adventure, and I wasn't entirely sure how I would feel after six consecutive days of Rambling.

I wasn't alone in those feelings. For many of us, this would be our first multi-day hike. While we all arrived with different levels of walking experience, there was a shared sense of anticipation about the adventure ahead.

There is something exciting about committing to a journey like this. Unlike a day hike, where you return home at the end of the day, a multi-day walk asks something different of you. You wake up each morning, lace up your boots, and trust yourself to keep going. It is as much a mental journey as a physical one.

There was another aspect of the trip that had me wondering how things would unfold.

This was our first Sole Sister Ramblers United Kingdom walking adventure with Intrepid, and I was stepping into the role of the SSR representative. While I have always loved bringing women together through this incredible community, leading a group on an overseas walking adventure felt like new territory. Would sixteen women, many of whom had never met before, connect with one another? Would the group dynamic work?

As it turned out, I needn't have worried.

From the moment we gathered in Carlisle, something special began to take shape.

A small group of us arrived a day early and spent the afternoon exploring a castle and a nearby archaeological excavation site. In one of those serendipitous travel moments, a fellow Sole Sister, Ailish, struck up a conversation with a gentleman we met at the dig who happened to be a guide at the castle in Carlisle. When she asked if he would consider giving us a tour, he kindly agreed. The result was an engaging private tour filled with stories and local knowledge that we never would have experienced otherwise. It felt like an unexpected gift and a wonderful way to begin our Hadrian's Wall adventure.

That evening, thirteen of us gathered for dinner. We were still learning names and getting acquainted, but there was already a sense of excitement in the room. Looking back, it was the beginning of friendships and conversations that would continue throughout the week.

The next morning, our adventure officially began.

After meeting our guide, Sophie, and taking some time to get organized, we enjoyed a short tour of Carlisle before setting out on our first 15-kilometre walk.

Before we left, one of our fellow Ramblers, Dianne, surprised each of us with a handmade bracelet. Attached to every bracelet was a word—a small gift and an invitation to reflect on how the word might inspire us as we walked.

The words were all different, chosen thoughtfully and with care. Mine was Power.

At first, I wasn't sure the word fit.

When I think of power, I often picture confidence, certainty, and strength. Although I possess these qualities, I hadn't thought of them as defining traits when it came to leading a group. Yet as the days passed, I found myself returning to that word. 

Power, I realized, isn't always loud. Sometimes it looks like putting one foot in front of the other when you're tired. Sometimes it's climbing the hill ahead of you. Sometimes it's saying yes to an experience that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.

By the end of six days of walking, history, laughter, friendship, sunshine, rain, and sore muscles, that word felt different. It no longer felt like a word that belonged to someone else—it felt like a word I had grown into.

Looking around at the other women in our group, I realized that the words on our bracelets weren't simply descriptions of who we were—they became reflections of what the journey revealed in each of us.

The Journey

For those unfamiliar with Hadrian's Wall, it is one of Britain's most significant historical landmarks. Built by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago under the orders of Emperor Hadrian, the wall once stretched approximately 117 kilometres from coast to coast across northern England. 

It marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire and was used to control movement, trade, and defence. Today, sections of the wall remain remarkably intact, winding through some of England's most beautiful countryside and offering walkers a unique opportunity to experience both history and landscape in a deeply immersive way.

Our first day introduced us to the beautiful English countryside, with rolling green fields, grazing sheep, charming villages, and our first glimpses of Hadrian's Wall. There was a wonderful sense of anticipation as we settled into the rhythm of walking together.

Day by day, we followed the path eastward, discovering the many layers of history that make Hadrian's Wall so fascinating.

We explored Lanercost Priory, Birdoswald, Magna, Vindolanda, Chesters Roman Fort, and countless sections of the wall itself. At Birdoswald, we were even interviewed by an ITV News crew—a surprise that generated plenty of excitement and laughter.

Vindolanda was undoubtedly one of the highlights. The active archaeological excavation, remarkable museum, and extraordinary collection of Roman artifacts brought history to life in a way that few museums can. Standing where archaeologists continue to uncover pieces of the past felt incredibly special.

The walking itself was rewarding and varied.

There were days of rolling farmland, dramatic stretches of the wall, sweeping views across the countryside, and the occasional steep climb that reminded us we were earning those views. One afternoon ended with a drenching rainstorm and a very welcome gathering at the Twice Brewed Pub, where warm drinks, good conversation, and shared stories quickly lifted everyone's spirits.

One of the things I appreciated most was how naturally our group settled into a rhythm. There were faster walkers, middle-of-the-pack walkers, and those who preferred a more leisurely pace. Sophie managed this beautifully, providing meeting points and map pins for those who wanted to move ahead while ensuring everyone felt supported.

What made that rhythm so remarkable was the diversity within our group. We were sixteen women from four countries—Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland—ranging in age from our mid-fifties to early seventies, with varying levels of hiking experience and fitness.

What struck me most was how every woman contributed something unique to the experience. One was a walking encyclopedia of Roman history, enriching our understanding of the sites we visited. Another demonstrated remarkable grace and resilience after her luggage was lost in transit, adapting with good humour and determination. Some persevered through aches and pains, quietly proving to themselves just how much they could accomplish.

There were women who kept us laughing, women whose calm presence grounded the group, and women whose encouragement lifted others when the trail became challenging. At the front of the pack, one Rambler became our unofficial Google Maps expert, confidently navigating the route ahead. Meanwhile, those bringing up the rear discovered the joys of a slower pace, taking time to savour the landscape and admire the countless baby lambs that dotted the countryside.

By the end of the journey, it was clear that no one personality, pace, or strength defined our group. Rather, it was the combination of all our differences that created the chemistry, camaraderie, and friendships that made the experience so memorable.

Through it all, there were conversations over packed lunches, stories shared along the trail, photographs of sheep, endless pictures of the wall, and plenty of discussion about history, books, travel, and life. More than anything, there was laughter.

There were also those unexpected moments that often become the memories we treasure most:

• Gathering together at the Twice Brewed Pub after being soaked by rain.

• Listening to the beautiful voices of children and adults during Evensong in Hexham Abbey (and watching two very young, bored choir members fidget) 

• Enjoying lunch in the churchyard of St. Oswald's Church.

• Finding ourselves in situations that required a few "wild wees" along the trail.

• Wandering the medieval streets of Corbridge beneath warm sunshine on our final day.

• Of course, that first sighting of the wall!

Both Haltwhistle and Hexham proved to be wonderful places to stay during our journey. Haltwhistle welcomed us with its small-town friendliness and served as an excellent base while we explored some of the most dramatic sections of the wall. Hexham offered a different experience, with its rich history, beautiful architecture, and lively town centre.

Hexham, in particular, became a favourite for many of us. Its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and welcoming atmosphere felt like stepping into another century. Staying at the Beaumont Hotel in the heart of the old town added to the experience. More than one of us commented that wandering the streets felt like walking through the pages of a Dickens novel.

A special word of appreciation also belongs to our guide, Sophie. Balancing the needs of sixteen walkers with different Rambling styles and expectations is no small feat, yet she did so with patience, flexibility, and good humour. Whether she was sharing stories of Britain during the Roman era, navigating logistics, or ensuring everyone felt supported on the trail, she helped make the experience run remarkably smoothly.

By the final day, the sun was shining, our legs were feeling the accumulated kilometres, and there was a sense that we had shared something truly special.

For many of us, we had completed our very first multi-day hike.

Over six days, we had walked through centuries of history, crossed beautiful countryside, challenged ourselves physically, and shared countless conversations and laughs along the way.

One of the greatest gifts of travel is its ability to show us what we're capable of. What began as a new challenge became one of those experiences that teach you far more than you expected.

As for leading? I learned that leadership isn't necessarily about standing at the front. Sometimes it's about creating space for connection, encouraging others, and watching a group of women come together in ways you couldn't have imagined at the start.

The sixteen women who arrived in Carlisle as individuals left as something more. Over six days of walking, talking, laughing, learning, and exploring together, we built friendships and memories that will stay with us long after our hiking boots have been put away.

Hadrian's Wall gave us history, beautiful landscapes, fascinating stories, and a remarkable walking experience. Most of all, it reminded me that we are often far more capable than we think—and that sharing the journey with others makes every step more meaningful.

And if this first SSR UK walking adventure is any indication, I suspect there are many more memorable miles ahead.

Pro Tips for those planning a trip like this

• Rain gear is essential- rain pants, water-resistant boots or shoes, a good raincoat coupled with rain protection for your backpack, or a poncho that can also cover your pack. Note that if it's windy, the poncho can be a problem for visibility on the steeper ups and downs
• Compeed pads for sore spots on your feet. These rescued me from a big blister I had after the first day of walking
• Layers- It can be quite cold in the morning when you first set out, but we all found that after a few miles of Rambling, we needed to shed some layers
• Hiking Poles- I had never used them before, but I found them really useful on the hills. 

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