Summary

Out and back walk from Drumburgh to Bowness-on-Solway.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
8.6 miles (13.8 km)
Walking time:
05h 00m
Type:
Circular

Start location

Drumburgh

lat: 54.9269352

lon: -3.1417956

Map

Elevation

Route

1 of 0

Getting there

Stagecoach bus service 93, from Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway, goes via Drumburgh (Mon – Sat), taxi bus service on Sunday (ring 07592 763503 to book a seat); mainline trains stop at Carlisle (0871 200 2233). 

Waypoints

1

Although this walk follows the Hadrian’s Wall Path, there is little obvious evidence of the Wall along the Solway. Instead you can enjoy the far reaching views and birdlife of this tranquil area. Drumburgh is situated on a low hill overlooking the marshes (see the information panel at start/parking area). From here (NY269598), walk along the road into the village, passing Drumburgh Bastle on your L – a fortified medieval manor house (also known as Drumburgh Castle) built around 1307 using stone from Hadrian’s Wall. Just beyond, turn L along a no-through road, following the Hadrian’s Wall Path sign.

2

The track leads to a junction where the Path turns R, but it’s worth continuing in the same direction a short way (to just past Moss Cottage) to visit Drumburgh Moss National Nature Reserve – important for its lowland raised mire. There are information boards and a waymarked path leading to the viewing platform. Return to the junction and turn L. The track leads to Walker House farm, from where you continue along paths through fields to the road, turning R into Glasson.

3

Turn L opposite the Highland Laddie pub onto a track which lies along the line of the Vallum (originally a ditch flanked by mounds which ran parallel to Hadrian’s Wall to the south). At the entrance to the holiday park, turn R along the tarmac drive to the road. Cross the road and follow the path through the trees to Port Carlisle. There are better views to be had from the grassy foreshore (accessible through gaps in the trees).

4

As its name suggests, Port Carlisle (originally known as Fisher’s Cross) was developed as a port in 1819, with a canal linking it to Carlisle built a few years later. The canal closed in the mid-19th century (the remains of the entrance lock and the breakwater can still be seen) and was replaced by a railway, which was also later closed. The Path now follows the shoreline road for its final section to Bowness-on-Solway.

5

The very finish is reached by turning off the road, as signed, along a path to Banks Promenade. There are information boards at the shelter here about the history of the place (the fort at Bowness was the second largest on the Wall), the story of the Solway Viaduct, the Haaf netting and wildlife. Retrace your steps to the start or catch a bus back. (For a slightly shorter return walk follow the foreshore beyond Port Carlisle then the road – where it bears inland from the coast - back to Drumburgh.)

Problem with this route?

If you encounter a problem on this walk, please let us know by emailing volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com. If the issue is with a public path or access please also contact the local highways authority directly, or find out more about solving problems on public paths on our website.

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Sharing

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking