Walking Britain Northumberland Walk
Hotbank Crags & Houesteads from Vindolanda
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| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL43 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL43 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
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Walk Route Description
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The remains of the Roman Forts at Vindolanda and Housesteads provide an historic focus for this walk. The inclusion of a dramatic section of Hadrian's Wall adds further interest to the route. You are advised to allow plenty of time, as the Roman antiquities are full of interest and far better preserved than expected.
The start is the small car park (grid ref. NY773664) which is located on the south side of the B6318 and accessed via a quiet country lane. This car park is convenient for visiting Vindolanda either before you start the walk or after completion of the route. You can also complete the walk by using the Hadrian's Wall bus service AD122 which runs from April through to September.
After parking exit the car park and turn right along the lane towards Vindolanda. The lane turns sharp left and crosses Bradley Burn. Immediately after take the footpath on your left. This leads past High Shields Farm on your left to exit onto the B6318 (grid ref. NY770674). Turn right along the B6318 and then turn left on to the metalled track where it meets the B6318 at a gate. It is only about 100 yards or so away and follows the line of a wall and is very clear to see. Turn left along this track and continue north to reach Hadrian's Wall. Turn right along the Wall following the Pennine Way and the Hadrian's Wall Path east. On your left is Crag Lough which nestles below Highshield Crags.
Follow the path along the Wall over Hotbank Crags and continue past the point where the Pennine Way heads north to reach Housesteads and the Roman Fort. The remains of the fort are impressive and well worth a visit. Exit the site of the Roman fort to the south and bear left onto a track heading south-west to Deafley Rigg and the B6318 (grid ref. NY785680). Turn left along the road and take the signed bridleway on the right. This leads past East Crinkledykes (on your right) to reach a lane (grid ref. NY786669).
Turn right along the lane and follow it west to the first road junction. Go straight ahead here picking up the path that follows Stangate (the route of an old Roman Road). This leads you back to the lane used at the start. Turn left along the lane and the car park is on your left.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1677 Peel Crags & Winshield Crags from Vindolanda - easy/mod - 7.8 miles/12.7 km
Walk 3404 Hadrian's Wall - Cawfields to Steel Rigg - easy/mod - 3.5 miles/5.7 km
Walk 1198 Hadrian's Wall from Steel Rigg - moderate - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 3331 Cragend & Crow Crags from Housesteads - easy/mod - 8.4 miles/13.7 km
Walk 3343 Hadrian's Wall - Walltown Crags & Aesica - easy/mod - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 2803 Hadrian's Wall and Haughton Common - hard - 20.0 miles/32.5 km
Walk 1786 Hadrian's Wall from Simonburn - easy/mod - 6.8 miles/11.1 km
Walk 1942 Watson's Pike & Hexhamshire Common - easy/mod - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 1477 Bellingham to Kiln Rigg by Pennine Way Circular - moderate - 14.3 miles/23.2 km
Walk 1478 Circular incl. Pennine Way from Ladyhill to Bellingham - moderate - 16.0 miles/26 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
The Pennine Way
Guidebook to the Pennine Way National Trail with OS map booklet. The 265 mile route from Edale to Kirk Yetholm takes three weeks to walk and is suitable for fit and experienced long distance walkers. The route crosses the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines National Parks. Includes separate OS 1:25,000 map booklet of the route.
More information
Pennine Way Map Booklet
Map of the 270 miles (435km) Pennine Way National Trail, between Edale in the Peak District and Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail, and shows the full route on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps. This popular long-distance route typically takes three weeks to complete.
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The End to End Trail
