Hadrian's Coastal Route

Cumbria

A walk along the little-known western coastal Hadrianic frontier based upon the thesis that the Roman defences extended south beyond Maryport as far as Ravenglass, with its Roman Fort - Glannoventa.

Hadrian's Wall, with its clear line spanning coast to coast and World Heritage site status and its national walking trail, is inevitably a powerful public attraction, but there was a coastal frontier as well. Its northern part ran south along the Cumbrian coast from Bowness on Solway - the terminus of Hadrian's Wall - to Maryport, a formal system of watchtowers, forts and ditches topped with a palisade, constructed around 122AD. Beyond Maryport, it was considered by academics and archaeologists alike that the frontier was merely a series of forts without additional formal defence, for a stretch of coast of 35 miles to Ravenglass.

Archaeologist Clifford 'Indiana' Jones didn't agree: from surveying the landscape over twenty two years ago, he was convinced that there was a continuation of the Roman defences to Ravenglass and research by Jones and his volunteers supports this idea. Walkers are invited to see the evidence for themselves following Jones' illustrated guidebook.

The route does not adhere either to the present Hadrianic Cycle Route (Sustrans 72), leaving it to reach places cyclists cannot, or to Cumbria's coastal way, though it is often coincident with one or other. Most of the walk is on tracks and minor roads. There are good train and (between Maryport and Bowness) bus connections.

A further related route, Hadrian's Eastern Way, is being researched. From Ravenglass it goes inland across two of the toughest Lakeland passes, Hardknott (with its Roman fort - Mediobogdum) and Wrynose, now dominated by traffic, via Skelwith Fold and Pull Wyke to Ambleside with the fort of Galava nearby. Its purpose is to open up another route for walkers along a Roman road, parts of which have not been known before. But, more importantly to claim the passes back for travelers on foot.

The coastal parts of this route may be superseded by the England Coast Path when it is fully open.

Strider News - August 2024 (Publication Update)

 

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Attributes:	Easy Cycle Route Coastal Heritage
Start:	SD084965 - Mite viaduct, Ravenglass, Cumbria
Finish:	NY225628 - Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria
Open Date:	2008

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook	Hadrian's Coastal Route : Millom to Bowness-on-Solway  (History Press  - 28/03/2024 )
Guidebook	Eastern Hadrianic Way : Ravenglass to Ambleside  (Striding Edge  - 2009 )

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