Long Walks in Northumberland: Why They Inspire Us

Ready for the Off

I have not always been a runner or even a walker, and certainly not someone who enjoyed endurance or long distances. I started out in my late thirties in a couch to 5K group, who became a slow runner who entered a few races, who then set herself a few challenges, who fell in love with the trails who met a community of runners who surrounded her with positivity and encouragement who then who decided to combine it all by completing a multi-day challenge along a long-distance trail with friends, that ended each day in the pub.

There is something pretty powerful in walking a long way. It’s the rhythm of it. The shift from everyday noise to something more grounded, more present. On long walks, time softens. You stop watching the clock and start watching the sky, enjoying deep dives into all sorts of topics, walking side-by-side with someone in companionable silence, allowing someone to go ahead and set the pace while allowing you to just focus on moving forward. It's losing yourself in your own thoughts, having the time to reflect on your life, ideas or problems, to imagine possibilities and potential futures. It's meeting other people out on the trails, stopping to chat, share stories and make connections.

Our first proper long-distance walk came from a simple idea: we loved going the distance… but didn’t love the pressure of a long-distance organised run. We liked the challenge, but not the countdowns or cut-offs or crowds. So we swapped start lines for stile climbs, and race bibs for OS maps.

Our First Long Walk in Northumberland

Sunshine in Boulmer.

In 2019, my friends, Fi and Debs (always ones to say, go on then!), set out to walk St Oswald’s Way, from Holy Island to Heavenfield, which is just outside Hexham, where we live. This 103-ish mile trail (give or take a few mis-turns) takes in castles, coastline, river valleys, hills, villages, forests, and farmland. It joins parts of Hadrian's Wall path and the Coastal path and follows the route that St Oswald, the King of Northumbria, took in the early 7th Century. It was our first completely self-organised, self-guided hike, and I found myself in charge of all the logistics.

Friendly locals

As we set off on our first day, there was slight tide-induced panic, causing us to dash across the causeway from Holy Island far too early and far too quickly. But once we relaxed into it, something shifted. We found a rhythm. We stopped for second breakfasts and caffeine in cafés along the way, chatted with the people we met, read up on the places we passed, and, of course, took selfies and photos at every site and view.

The Magic of a Long Walk in Northumberland

Those five days in the Northumberland countryside were glorious, even when the weather wasn’t. There’s a simple magic in waking up, packing your bag, and setting out with like-minded people, knowing your only job is to walk from A to B. The reward? A couple of well-earned beers while we basked in our achievement and shared stories of the day.

A beer at Craster.

Then it was upstairs to find our bags magically waiting in our rooms, followed by a hot shower, a bit of Wordle or a nana nap, and then down for a cooked meal and a proper night’s sleep.

Celebrating with a beer in Elsdon.

Multi-day hiking is a challenge, yes, but it’s also a joy. A chance to push ourselves, connect with others, and create memories that last long after we reach our destination.

And the tutus? They’re a cheerful remnant from our racing days, specifically a Belgian beer marathon we did years ago that required superhero attire. On the long-distance trail, tutus became both a conversation starter and a light-hearted symbol of our walking ethos: take the challenge seriously, but don’t forget to have a bit of fun along the way.

Long walks in Northumberland call to us because they offer something rare: time and space to be fully present. To move slowly through the landscape. To laugh, reflect, and reconnect with nature, with others on the trail, and with ourselves. It’s about adventure, yes, but also about pressing reset, so when we return to daily life, we feel restored and recharged (even if are legs and feet are still rather tired).

Reaching Heavenfield.

Not ready to tackle all 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall? Join one of our guided tours for a perfect taster — with the security and insider knowledge of an expert local guide.

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The Bit at the Bottom Where We Answer Stuff...

What are the best long walks in Northumberland?

Hadrian’s Wall Path is a no-brainer, a great one for those new to long-distance walking. St Oswald’s Way, the Northumberland Coast Path, and St Cuthbert’s Way are, in our opinion, some of the UK’s most breathtaking long-distance walks — blending history, coast, and wild landscapes. Finally, the 60 miles of the Pennine Way offer rugged isolation, one for the more experienced hiker.

Which long-distance trails are best to start with?

Hadrian’s Wall Path and St Cuthbert’s Way are two of Northumberland’s best long-distance trails. They’re never too far from civilisation, easy to follow, and full of places to eat, drink, and rest along the way.

Why choose Northumberland for long walks?

In Northumberland, you won’t be plagued by midges like on trails further north, and the summer months are more temperate than you'd find further south. The county offers some of the UK’s most diverse terrain — from sea and lakes to forests, moorland, hills, and mountains.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb