Steel Rigg, Sycamore Gap and Crag Lough Walk

Step by step route

A - Starting from outside The Sill

Facing the main entrance follow the path around the right-hand side of the building to the gate by the main road. Cross the road into the small woodland. Go out the next gate and turn left up the footpath that runs alongside the road heading uphill.

B - At the end of the footpath

At the end of the footpath cross the road and walk past Peel Cottage, then go through the gate signed ‘Hadrian’s Wall’. Take the left hand path heading uphill. Go through the gate that cuts through Hadrian’s Wall and turn right down the flagged path.

Starting from Steel Rigg Car Park

Near the ticket machine go through the gate signed ‘Hadrian’s Wall’. Head straight on, when you meet Hadrian’s Wall turn left through the gate

C - Climb up the steep stone steps

Climb up the steep stone steps to the top of Peel Crags. Keep to the path as it runs alongside Hadrian’s Wall. Go down the stone steps to Milecastle 39 and continue on, up the path, then down the stone steps to the tree at Sycamore Gap.

D - Up to Highshield Crags

You can return to The Sill or Steel Rigg Car Park from here, by walking back the way you came. OR, continue along the path, up to Highshield Crags where you look down to Crag Lough, a glacial lake. Take care, steep drops here. Follow the path down through the wood and through the gate. Keep straight ahead, along the path, and through the gate on the right.

E - Cross the farm track

Cross the farm track and go through the gate, signed ‘National Trails / Housesteads’. Continue following the footpath up to the farm.

F - Turn left by Hotbank Farm

By Hotbank Farm turn left and cross over the stone step stile. Walk across the farmyard, keeping the farm buildings on your left. Go through the gate and up the track to the brow of the hill to a stile by a gate. Cross over the stile.

G - Turn immediately left

Turn immediately left and go over the stile by the footpath sign. Head straight ahead across the field, and over the stile. Follow the signed path across another field, The path curves to the right and heads up to a wall. Cross the stile over the wall.

H - Head straight ahead

Head straight ahead, keeping the two barns and enclosure on your right. Continue straight on with the stone wall on your right. Cross the stile over a wall, and keep straight on, past another barn and a woodland.

I - The path becomes a stone track

The path becomes a stone track, follow this all the way to the gate by the road. Go through the gate, or over the stile, and turn left up the road to Steel Rigg Car Park. To return to The Sill continue on down the road.