Many will take the short walk from the Sill to Sycamore Gap. However more rewarding is to extend the walk to Housesteads and return via the peaceful tracks to the north. As well as offering a different perspective to the Wall (from the north) it is a fine way to enjoy a circular hike.
The section of Hadrian’s Wall from The Sill to Housesteads is highly enjoyable (including Sycamore Gap). However it is unsatisfying to return the same way. Either take the bus back or better is to head north of the wall and return via the fields and moors of Crag Lough. Leave the wall west of Housesteads and follow the Pennine Way for 300m to a track which parallels the wall heading west. It eventually reaches the road leading down to the sill. However the full 8 mile circular offers a peaceful return with excellent views of the Wall (from the Scots perspective!)
The section of the Wall at the start of the walk past Sycamore Gap is very undulating. Steep ascents and descents intermixed with a milecastle and a few turrets make for a superb experience. Milecastles are placed every Roman Mile (less than the present day mile) and were used for trading 9this the entrance at each end of the remains) whilst the turrets are placed ever 1/3 of a mile roughly and were smaller observation forts. Up to 25 soldiers were housed in the Milecastles but only 6 to 8 in the turrets.
As a big Game of Thrones fan walking to the north of the wall offers a very different perspective from of the Wall. It is a formidable barrier although the Knight King and his army of dead breached it, something the Scots never did!
It is worth the extra distance to Housesteads Fort to gain the full experience of the different fortifications on the wall (and get a cup of tea).
Look carefully on the map and there is a parallel, lower path for the majority of the way. It avoids the steepest undulations but if a member (s) of the party do not like the steep ground it offers a good alternative.
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