Turn west along the best stretch of Hadrian’s Wall Path (HWP) with a h igh presence of Roman structures due to the remoteness of the area and its inaccessibility for the ‘recycling’ of rocks in farms, roads, ecclesiastical and private buildings.

You walk along a steady line of crags, with dramatic views north across commons and moors, as well as to the south across pastures , passing the scenic Crag Lough, the famous ‘Sycamore Gap’ with the ‘Robin Hood Tree’ and eventually ascend to the highest point on the HWP, at Winshield Crags. Descend gently along still more crags to Cawfield Quarry and to the cut created by the Haltwhistle Burn.

For the descent into the South Tyne Valley to the historic market town of Haltwhistle, you follow the Haltwhistle Burn initially across the open upland through the Roman Military Zone, with impressive traces of Roman Marching Camps and Cemeteries, Haltwhistle Burn Roman Fortlet and Stanegate Roman Road. The Burn then enters the steep wooded Burn Gorge, full of remnants of a thick industrial past based on mining, brickworks and the power of the fast flowing water.

The section west of the River Irthing was originally constructed as a Turf Wall, 6-metre wide at its base, and between Milecastles 49 and 51 the Stone Wall later followed a line north of the Turf Wall. Sights to be seen en route: fine stretches of Vallum and Turf Wall, some signal towers and turret bases, the highest surviving piece of Wall (only short and partly rebuilt though); Birdoswald/Banna Fort (ticketed but can be overlooked from the path), Willowford Bridge = the stranded bridge (the river has changed course), some fine bits of Wall, in places with Broad Wall base topped with Narrow Wall; Milecastle 48 at Gilsland, the best-preserved of all.

At the Tipalt Burn, the Shortcut to Greenhead and its bus stop turns south, while the Main Walk passes Thirlwall Castle ruins (12^th century, made from Wall stones) and rises to the Walltown Quarry, close to the Carvoran/Magnis Fort and the Roman Army Museum. You then ascend steadily out of Walltown Quarry onto the Walltown Crags, before descending into the cut created by the Haltwhistle Burn, en route passing some long stretches of Wall and Great Chesters/Aesica Fort. The Vallum is mostly well away from the Wall though.

For the descent into the South Tyne Valley to the historic market town of Haltwhistle, you follow the Haltwhistle Burn initially across the open upland through the Roman Military Zone, with impressive traces of Roman Marching Camps and Cemeteries, Haltwhistle Burn Roman Fortlet and Stanegate Roman Road. The Burn then enters the steep wooded Burn Gorge, full of remnants of a thick industrial past based on mining, brickworks and the power of the fast flowing water.

Turn east along a Hadrian’s Wall Path stretch with relatively few Roman era remains. The route soon passes the wooden cross and St. Oswald’s Church near Heaven Field, site of a 7^th century battle (Christian Northumbria vs Pagan Welsh) and now a fine viewpoint to the North and Northwest.

Further along, there is good evidence of the Vallum, but the Wall is mostly buried under the B6318. Some wall platforms are visible at Milecastle 24, but Halton Chesters/Hunnum Fort is just grassy mounds. Weather permitting, you get some fine views to the North though.

The descent from Down Hill with its post-Roman quarry delights with fine southerly views into the Tyne Valley and passes a couple of historic castles: Halton (built from Wall stone) and Aydon, as well as some large limekilns before reaching the picturesque old Roman town of Corbridge with its many hostelries.

Bus Shortcut: Line 74 (Hexham - Newcastle) stops near The Errington Coffee House and outside Halton Red House, about 8 km from the end – relevant services are the 15.40 to Hexham and the 16.23 to Newcastle.