Since the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail opened in 2003, we have seen a multitude of Long-Distance Walkers traverse the 84-mile route across Britain. Some Walkers are better-prepared than others. Because we see many of the same mistakes being made on a regular basis, we thought it might be helpful if we gave our 'Top 10 Tips' for Walking the Wall.

The list is intended as 'food for thought' and may seem like 'common-sense' to many. However, every item on this list is either overlooked or ignored on a regular basis by walkers coming to the area. This results not just in discomfort or inconvenience, but unfortunately for some, an inability to complete the task they set out to achieve.

1. Don't underestimate the difficulty - It might not look much on a map, but if you are thinking of walking the whole of the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, you will be crossing from one side of the country to the other and as such traversing a mix of terrain including part of the Pennine Way.

2. Make sure you are properly equipped - This is not the same as 'walking to the shops' . Clothing, footwear, equipment - they are all vitally important. Best suggestion is to refer to a 'Walkers Kit List' and take the advice of professionals if it's offered.

3. Bring Cash - Many of the places you may like to visit, (including shops, pubs and accommodation) don't accept plastic cards and the only Cash Machines on the Wall are in either Newcastle or Carlisle.

4. You need a Map - Unless you believe the Signposts will always be where you want to see them and you're not concerned about your exact location should unforseen cicumstances arise (let alone have a general interest in where you are at any given time) - you need a Map and there is currently only one available of the whole length of the Wall - 'Harvey's Hadrian's Wall Path'.

5. Correct Footwear is a Must - Footwear that performs on all kinds of terrain and in all kinds of weather conditions is a tall order. You don't need 'heavy boots' to walk on miles of flat hard ground and nor do you want shoes for clambering up and down grassy or rocky slopes. Same recommendation as before - refer to a 'Walkers Kit List' and take the advice of Professionals when it's offered (especially if they're local to the area).

6. Bringing Dogs can be a problem - Very few Accommodation Providers accept dogs and the same goes for some of the places you might like to eat or drink. If you really want to bring your dog, the easiest option is either to Camp or stay longer in the accommodations that allow it. Also be aware that this is 'sheep country' (requiring dogs to be on leads) and not all dogs appreciate long walks day after day - it does happen where the owner fails to complete the distance because the dog isn't up to it!

7. A Long-Distance Trail is really not suitable for Kids - Dragging young children over long daily distances is really not a wise move and in some circumstances, can be dangerous. Hadrian's Wall is a great place for children to visit and walk along. However, walking the entire 84-mile length of the Trail, covering a distance equivalent to a half-marathon each day, is unwise and to be actively discouraged. If you want to bring young children, there are many places of interest in the area and walking short selective sections of the Path will be far more inspiring for them than a hard daily slog.

8. Consult Local Knowledge -  Like everything else in the world - 'things change'. Accommodation, Pubs, Places to Eat - they open-up, close down and change hands. Sometimes it's for the better and occasionally it's for the worse. Beyond that, paths can get diverted and there are some things that you would not have wanted to miss. If you had to inform anyone about your local area, would you suggest asking someone a hundred miles away?

9. Using a Tour Organiser can save a lot of grief - Especially if you're considering changing your accommodation on a frequent basis - adopting the 'do-it-yourself' approach is fraught with difficulties. Those of us unfortunate enough to have been taken in by the accommodation provider assuring us that they are "only five minutes away" from our intended destination, only to find that they were actually talking about a 'five-minute drive at 100mph assuming the road is completely clear', makes you cautious not to repeat the experience. Calling upon the expertise of a Tour Organiser such as ourselves (with a reputation to maintain) makes sense.

10. Using an Experienced Local Tour Organiser surely makes the best sense - If you value the 'Finger on the Pulse' or 'Location, Location, Location' principles, then hiring the services of Hadrian's Wall Ltd, who are actually based on Hadrian's Wall has to be the ideal scenario - who else offers as an integral part of the service, a Local Guide you can meet up with or call upon if you run into difficulties?