Walk along the most scenic sections of Hadrian’s Wall

Our Steel Rigg and Crag Lough walk is suitable for families, along some of the most scenic sections of Hadrian’s Wall. The terrain features footpaths and tracks, some short, sharp ascents, and may be muddy in places. You will need sturdy footwear and waterproofs.

Please keep dogs on a lead and follow the Countryside Code. Parking charges apply, more information can be found here.

Download the PDF guide to Steel Rigg and Crag Lough Walk

Download Route

Walk overview

Walk difficulty
Moderate
Walk distance
4 miles / 6.4km
Walk duration
2 hours
Location
Hadrian's Wall
Recommended OS Map
OS Explorer OL 43 1:25000 Hadrian’s Wall
Accessible
No
Dog friendly
No

Step by step route

Leave Steel Rigg View car park

Leave Steel Rigg View car park by the wicket gate in the corner, signposted ‘Hadrian’s Wall’. Follow the footpath straight on. When you meet Hadrian’s Wall turn left through the gate. Follow Hadrian’s Wall down a grassy bank to meet a paved footpath at the bottom. Turn left onto this path and climb steeply up to the top of Peel Crags.

Follow the footpath

Follow the footpath alongside Hadrian’s Wall to Milecastle 39, then the tree at Sycamore Gap. Milecastles are small fortified gateways, built every Roman Mile, often protecting weak points along the Wall.

Keep following the footpath, which goes along the top of Highshield Crags

Keep following the footpath, which goes along the top of Highshield Crags, where you look down to Crag Lough, a glacial lake. Take care – very steep drop here! Follow the path through the wood and over the stile. Go over the next stile on your right.

Cross the farm track

Cross the farm track and follow the paved path through the gate, signposted ‘Housesteads’. Keep on the path up towards the farm.

Cross over the stone step stile on your left

At Hotbank Farm gate, cross over the stone step stile on your left. Go straight ahead keeping the farm buildings on your left, then through the gate, and along the track on the right to a ladder stile

Turn immediately left

Turn immediately left and go over a step stile by the footpath sign. Head straight across the field, and over the stile. Cross the next field to the footpath sign.

Turn right onto a farm track

Turn right onto a farm track until you reach a ladder stile. Cross the stile and head across the next field to an enclosure and barn.

Follow the path

Keeping the dry stone wall on your right, follow the path until it becomes a farm track. Continue along the track until you reach the tarmac road. Turn left onto the road, and go follow it uphill back to the car park.

Walk route

Getting there

From the West

Follow the B6318 (Military Road) from Greenhead to the cross-roads with the National Park Centre at Once Brewed. Turn left signposted ‘Steel Rigg’.

From the East

Follow the B6318 (Military Road) west to the cross-roads with the National Park Centre at Once Brewed. Turn right signposted ‘Steel Rigg’.

Bus

The Hadrian’s Wall bus AD122 stops at the National Park Centre at Once Brewed on the B6318 (Military Road). Walk up the narrow road signed ‘Steel Rigg’ to start the walk. Visit the Traveline website for further details.