Walk: Hadrian’s Wall & Vindolanda – a Roman round

📌 Bardon Mill, Northumberland
★★★★

This excellent circuit connects the central portion of Hadrian’s Wall with a National Park visitor hub and the vast Vindolanda Roman Fort: a a good alternative to hopping between the sites by car or public transport. A similar walk is promoted by the Northumberland National Park authority. On the Hadrian’s Wall section the highlights come thick and fast: well preserved milecastles, turrets and wall sections, plus iconic viewpoints which have graced many a tourist brochure – though one of these, the tree at Sycamore Gap, was sadly destroyed in 2023. Away from the wall the route often follows (mostly quiet) roads, but always with good views. The two indoor attractions aren’t included in the time estimates given below, but are also worth exploring. The Sill visitor centre has exhibitions covering the entire National Park, while Vindolanda near the finish has an extensive museum to accompany the fort itself. Vindolanda has an admission charge; if you don’t wish to visit it, follow the road around the north side instead.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at Vindolanda west car park, minor road 1.5 mi northwest of Bardon Mill

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NY 767664

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 54.991305,-2.365860

🚆🚌 Bus to Vindolanda

🚗 Car park

📝 Key info

▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 380 m | ⌛ 3.5-4 hr

Features: 🏠 The Sill (National Landscape Discovery Centre) ★★; 🎖️ Hadrian’s Wall including Castle Nick, Sycamore Gap & Crag Lough; 🔥 Crindledykes Limekiln ★; 🏰 Vindolanda ★★★★★

⬤ Moderate | Clear paths, some fainter sections on grass, minor roads. Section along Hadrian’s Wall is very hilly with some unprotected drops.

➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – The Sill (National Landscape Discovery Centre) – join Hadrian’s Wall at Steel Rig – Castle Nick – Sycamore Gap – crags above Crag Lough – leave Hadrian’s Wall before Cuddy’s Crags – Crindledykes Limekiln – Vindolanda (admission charge – enter at east end, leave by west end, or bypass on road to north) – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Roe deer & mute swans at Crag Lough, seen from the crags. Sheep & cows – including some in the same fields as the path after leaving Hadrian’s Wall.

Weather: Mostly sunny, fair weather cloud building a little. A cool start then temperature climbing into mid teens. Blustery wind on the crags.

August 2023