This walk covers a section of Hadrian's Wall. Starting from Steel Rigg, Northumbria National Park, the route includes a visit to Housesteads Fort and the dramatic scenery of Hotbank Crags and Crag Lough. The route along the wall has many ups and downs but does provide you with a chance to walk in the footsteps of the Roman Legions.
Technical sheet
n°292952
A Henshaw walk
posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 01/09/16
(S/E) Park at the Steel Rigg car park (grid ref. NY750676). Return to the lane and turn right. After a short way there is a signed footpath on the right and you need to follow this right of way as it crosses fields past Peatrigg and Long Side to reach a path junction just north of Hotbank Farm. Follow the farm track a short way northeast before waymarks lead you on across more fields towards a small plantation (easiest route is around it rather through it as waymarked!) to reach the Wall at King's Wicket (grid ref.NY798694).
(1) With the easiest section behind you, the switchback route now follows the Wall back to Steel Rigg car park for a distance of approximately four miles. This section is some of the best preserved and does benefit from including Vercovicium Fort (Housesteads) en-route. There are many better qualified people to inform you of the details of the Wall but suffice to say it is very impressive. The remains (mostly foundations) at Housesteads are remarkable with much to see and investigate. As you walk perhaps you should try to imagine what it was like to be stationed here in winter after enjoying the Mediterranean warmth of Italy!
(2) Leaving Housesteads the route switchbacks up and down as it follows the most advantageous contours of the natural escarpment. I particularly liked the section along the crest of Hotbank Crags and the final stretch above Crag Lough and along Peel Crags. Both these sections are very enjoyable and enable you to get a feel for the area besides enjoying the history(S/E).
In conclusion this walk is a must for anyone visiting Northumberland ... if only history was as interesting at school!
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 278 m - Steel Rigg car park
1 : km 5.6 - alt. 279 m - King's Wicket
2 : km 6.99 - alt. 273 m - Housesteads
S/E : km 11.19 - alt. 278 m
Useful Information
Hadrian's Wall is one of the great monuments to the Roman Occupation of Britain. Had it not been for subsequent inhabitants of the area using the wall as an easy source of building stone, there might have been at least some sections that retained their original height. However despite this "vandalism", enough remains to give visitors an excellent idea of what this northern outpost of the Roman Empire was actually like.
First of all a warning! This should be an easy walk but it does involve a considerable amount of ascent/descent and requires much more energy than you might think! Apart from the immediate area around Housesteads, which was quite busy, there were few people on the route and you could enjoy the Wall at leisure.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 12/08/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
DId this walk on a windy and rainy day, but this did not detract from the natural beauty and the feeling of mystery surrounding the Roman Wall. Stopped for a break at Sycamore Gap before continuing the more arduous last stretch of the walk, feeling of awe settles on you as you ponder what the conditions that the historical residents put up with especially in the always promising adverse weather conditions. Thoroughly enjoyable and will be visiting again.
Bwillis555
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 21/02/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Did this walk along hadrians wall last Friday with family, 9,11,13 year old and 18 month old on by back. Excellent walk, beautiful scenery. Stopped at the Roman fort for an hour or so. Second half is more difficult due to numerous steep climbs but just makes it more interesting. Got some lovely photos at sycamore gap towards the end. Lots of other walkers out but definitely not too busy. Car park quite expensive, £3 for 3 hours and £2 for each additional hour. We spent around 5 or 6 hours there and didn’t want to be limited by time so found a place to park along the road a short walk from Steel Rigg car park.
Aurelie-21
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Kevinmcstea
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 10/01/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Northumbrian fields were a little boggy in January but passable. Excellent views, intetesting Roman fort but you have to pay to enter. Quite a lot of the wall remains which was a surprise ( 6 feet high in places). 4 hours round trip with 20 min coffee stop.
