Hadrian’s Wall and English Lake District

Arrive Carlisle

This stage enjoys easy walking from historic Carlisle, on the Scotland / England Border, alongside the banks of the beautiful River Eden and over undulating rural countryside. From the quaint village of Walton with its interesting church beside the village green (an excellent lunch stop at the Reading Room Café), the route ascends over a fertile agricultural landscape and parkland to Banks to traverse the steep-sided Irthington Gorge past Lanercost Priory and Banks Turret. View the Roman defences at Birdoswald before reaching the quaint village of Gilsland. Two miles completes the day walk at Greenhead. It is possible to reduce the walk distance by 4.5 miles / 7.2 km from the centre of Carlisle to the countryside at Crosby on Eden by private transfer arranged by EasyWays in advance.

Return to the Wall the following morning to pass ruins of Thirlwall Castle, Magnis Forts and Great Chesters. Continue up Cawfields Crags and up steps through Thorny Doors. The path then ascends to take in the highest point on the walk, the ascent over Winshields Crags (345m above sea level) before passing Peel and Highshield Crags with the remains of Housesteads Roman Fort and National Trust Museum is passed on the crags above Crag Lough. Vindolanda Fort is a short a couple of miles away at this point on the route through Northumberland National Park, especially impressive, with wonderful views all round, including Whin Sill, where the Wall was built along the top of the cliff to take full advantage of the natural contour of the rock face. Follow the Wall alongside the main A69 road to arrive in Chollerford/Wall however as this is a particularly long walk distance with many undulations it is possible to end the day by using the regular local bus service that passes the Temple of Mithras shortening the route by Greenhead to Temple of Mithras 14 miles / 22.4 km.

This morning take the local bus from outside your hotel to Hexham Rail Station to connect with Penrith via Carlisle. Depart Wall 10.30, arrive Hexham 10.50. Depart Hexham 11.18 arrive Penrith via Carlisle 13.01. An Express Bus then connects Penrith with Keswick every 30 minutes. All timetables are included in your EasyWays Tour Pack. Derwentwater Circuit – 11km / 7 miles A circular walk on the flat around the lake that can be completed on the afternoon of your arrival. Also possible to take a water boat across to Hawes End from Keswick Pier to shorten the route distance.

Take the 10.30 Walkers Special launch across Derwentwater to Hawes End requesting the stop for “Cat Bells”. This is a moderate walk up the fell that overlooks Derwentwater offering fantastic view all around including Keswick.

This is a more strenuous route and involves taking a short bus journey to the White Horse Inn to access the walk start point. Blencartha is a steady climb to the 868m point however the effort is rewarded with fantastic views giving a real Lake District experience and reward awaits with a wide selection of local ales in the White Horse before the short journey back to Keswick.

Congratulations - you have completed Hadrian's Wall and English Lake District! After breakfast, it is time to set off on your onward journey.