Hotbank Crags and Houesteads from Vindolanda

The opportunity to visit the remains of two Roman Forts and walk along one of the best sections of Hadrian's Wall are the main features of this walk in the Northumberland National Park. The walking is generally easy and for the most part the walk follows well trodden routes.

Technical sheet

293223
A Bardon Mill walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 16/08/21
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.81 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 204 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 200 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 310 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 159 m
  • ⚐
    District: Bardon Mill 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 54.99222° / W 2.35511°

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Description

(S/E) 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 right. This leads past High Shields Farm on your left to exit onto the B6318 (grid ref. NY770674). Cross the road and take the path opposite leading half right across a field towards a track. 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.

(1) 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).

(2) 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(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 178 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.94 - alt. 248 m - Follow the path along the Wall
  3. 2 : km 6.12 - alt. 251 m - Turn right along the lane
  4. S/E : km 7.81 - alt. 182 m

Useful Information

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.

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.

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