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Hadrian's Wall - Cawfields to Steel Rigg

Northumberland Walk

Nat Park - Northumberland

County/Area - Northumberland County

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km    Ascent - 650 feet / 197 metres

Time - 2 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL43Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL43Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 86Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 86Digital Map1:50kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 87Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 87Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Hadrian's Wall - Cawfields to Steel Rigg
Click image to see photo description.

Hadrian's Wall runs for 73 miles across northern England and its route is followed by a Hadrian's Wall National Trail. In addition on this section of the Wall, the Pennine Way also takes the same route. Construction of the Wall started in AD 122 and it remained in use until the Romans departed in the 5th century. Today there is still significant evidence of the Roman's endeavours with some sections of the wall restored or rebuilt.

The start for this walk is the Northumberland National Park Centre at Once Brewed (Grid ref NY752668) where pay and display parking is available. From here take the AD122 Bus Service to the Milecastle Inn. After alighting walk north down the minor road opposite the bus stop to the car park at Cawfields (Grid ref. NY712665). Ignore the footpath across fields signed on your right and continue down towards the car park. Approaching the entrance to the parking area bear left and begin to follow the wall. This is a well preserved section and gives an excellent impression of what the Wall would have looked like in its operational days, when it provided an intimidating line of defence.

Looking ahead, you will see the wall follows the undulating country so do not expect level walking. Milecastle 42 is soon reached. This was one of the smaller fortifications placed every Roman Mile. This one is also well preserved and would have been home to a small garrison of men who defended the wall in this area. Continuing on the main path follow the wall as it crosses the top of Cawfield Crags to reach Caw Gap. Ahead more rolling countryside provides some excellent views on both sides as the path follows the contours.

There is less evidence of the Wall now as you pass Milecastle 41 to reach the trig point on the summit of Windshields Crags (345 metres above sea level). Cross the lane (Grid ref. NY750675) and continue along the line of the wall for approximately 250 metres to reach a fine viewpoint (Grid ref. NY752675). From here descend to the road using the permitted footpath. Walk south towards the main road soon reaching the start the car park at the Northumberland Visitor Centre at Once Brewed.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1198 Hadrian's Wall & Steel Riggmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 2337 Greenlee Lough and Steel Riggeasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 1677 Peel Crags & Winshield Crags from Vindolandaeasy/mod7.8 miles
Walk 2671 Hotbank Crags & Housesteads from Vindolanda easy5.3 miles
Walk 3331 Cragend & Crow Crags from Housesteads easy/mod8.4 miles
Walk 3343 Hadrian's Wall, Walltown Crags & Aesicaeasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 2803 Hadrian's Wall and Haughton Commonhard20.0 miles
Walk 1786 Hadrian's Wall & Simonburn circulareasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1987 Allendale Town Circulareasy/mod6.6 miles
Walk 1477 Bellingham to Kiln Rigg by Pennine Way Circularmoderate14.3 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Hadrian's Wall Path

Hadrian's Wall PathHadrians Wall Path guidebook to walk the 84 mile National Trail. Described in both directions, the main description is west to east between Bowness-on-Solway and Wallsend, Newcastle, with extensions to Maryport and South Shields. With extensive historical information related to this World Heritage site and separate 1:25,000 OS map booklet included.
More information

Pennine Way Map Booklet

Pennine Way Map BookletMap 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.
More information

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