Hadrian's Wall Path; part 1

There are dramatic parts of the Hadrian's Wall Path either side of Housesteads as this is part of the Whin Sill escarpment, a tabular layer of igneous rock (dorolite). The the most intact parts of Hadrian's Wall are, not surprisingly, in the highest and least accessible parts of its course.

We start at a dip in the crags known as King's Wicket, East of Housesteads and Milecastle 36. Passing the back of the fort to its west side, we reach trees and the path is actually on top of the wall. There are wonderful views looking ahead, and Hadrian's Wall does not look dissimilar to the Great Wall of China! We pass Hotbank Farm and we can see Crag Lough, an inland lake, ahead - but it is more spectacular looking back. We drop down to Sycamore Gap to pass a tree known as Robin Hood’s tree after its appearance in the ‘Prince of Thieves’ film, and soon reach Milecastle 39. Just before the Steel Rig car park (close to Milecastle 40) there are great views back to the Highshield Crags outcrop of the Whin Sill.Read more