Hadrian's Wall Circular

DISTANCE: 11 KM (7 MILES)
GRADE OF WALK: MODERATE
TIME: 4 HOURS
EXPLORER MAP: OL 43

This circular walk around one of Britain's finest World Heritage Sites, Hadrian's Wall, offers breathtaking views and a real appreciation of the sheer scale and achievement of this marvel of Roman history. Built over 1,800 years ago as a frontier of the Roman Empire, the wall snakes 84 miles across the north of England. This is one of the finest sections with Housesteads Roman Fort, a superb section of wall and breathtaking views over moorland and the shimmering, peaceful Crag Lough.

START/PARKING

Start at Steel Rigg car park, half a mile north of Once Brewed, off B6318 Newcastle to Haltwhistle road. OS Map Grid Reference NY794685

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

From the car park, return through the entrance and turn right down the road. Take the first path on your right (sign - Public Right of Way) and walk along lane with the wall on your left.

Pass the shed on your left then cross the stile, continue on with wall on your left. Bear right at next set of outbuildings and follow wall on your left. Continue in the same direction at marker post across the field to a stile.


Cross the stile and follow path to right then turn left at way marker (sign - Public Footpath). Pass through the field and pass through the next gate, or cross the stile, and through the field (sign - Public Footpath).


Cross stile, turn left and follow track with a fence initially on your left. As track bears right you turn right (marker post) leaving main track. Walk parallel to the Whin Sill on your far right, the large rocky outcrop which added its natural defences to the fortifications of Hadrian's Wall. Continue to a prominent marker post, with the wood away to your right. Continue in the same direction, initially following the line of a broken-down wall then passing an old lime kiln on your left. After the lime kiln the track becomes more prominent and you reach and cross a stile to the right of a gate.

Continue walking on the track in the same direction with Broomlee Lough away to your left. The track turns into a path and you cross a stile into a wood.

Cross the stile out of the wood and continue in the same direction. After a few hundred yards, bear right at the fork in the path and continue on to a prominent stile taking you over a stone wall.

Turn right and follow Hadrian’s Wall on your right as you walk along the Hadrian's Wall National Trail.

Cross a stile taking you through a small wood then go over the stile on your left
as you exit the woods, and walk downhill with the wall on your right.

Pass through the wall on your right and turn left (sign - Hotbank 11/2), passing Housesteads Roman Fort on your left. The finest fort on the Wall, Housesteads also offers breathtaking views over open moorland. Cross a ladder stile and walk along the only section of Hadrian's Wall where it is possible to walk on the top of the wall.

Pass through the gate and follow the National Trail, with Hadrian's Wall on your right, for a considerable distance over undulating terrain.

CONSERVATION TIPS FOR HADRIAN’S WALL:
Please help protect this World Heritage Site by avoiding walking on the wall itself and walking to the side of any grassy path that is worn. This helps spread the load and prevents further erosion and is particularly important in winter and wet weather when paths are muddy. During the second half of the walk (from Point 9), consider using the Military Way, a short distance to the south of Hadrian's Wall National Trail. This is much less hilly yet still provides access to the main viewpoints, and makes the walk a little easier and helps to prevent erosion if the main path is wet.

Walk written by Jon Monks, Shepherd's Walks
Shepherd's Walks has truly captured people’s imagination.
A former Hill Shepherd, Jon Monks started writing walking guides back in 1999. Over the following years Shepherd's Walks has grown into the premier walking provider in the region. BBC Countryfile, The Guardian newspaper and Ramblings on Radio 4 have all featured this truly unique experience which cannot be found anywhere else in the country. Walking guides, guided walks, map and compass, GPS training and walking holidays are all covered by this gem of the North East.