4 Day / 3 Night: Chollerford to Gilsland

Arrive at Chollerford and settle into your accommodation. Chesters Roman Fort (Cilurnum) is within easy walking distance — one of the finest cavalry forts on the entire Wall, with an exceptional bathhouse preserved outside the fort walls. The site museum houses a remarkable collection of Roman stonework and inscriptions. A relaxed arrival day before the walking begins.

Your first walking day takes you from the North Tyne river up onto the Whin Sill. The path climbs steadily as the volcanic ridge rises ahead, and the Wall becomes progressively more substantial and dramatic. You'll reach Housesteads (Vercovicium) in the afternoon — the most complete and atmospheric fort on the entire Wall, perched on the highest point of the ridge with sweeping views in every direction. A short detour to Vindolanda, one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Britain, is possible before dinner. Your second night is near Housesteads or Once Brewed.

The finest day's walking on the route. From Housesteads the crags extend west along the Whin Sill in a series of dramatic switchbacks, with the Wall running along the top of each ridge. You'll pass Steel Rigg, Cawfields, and the well-preserved Milecastle 42 as the path gradually descends from the high ground. West of Cawfields the landscape softens and the Wall becomes more fragmentary as you approach the Irthing valley. You arrive at Gilsland where Birdoswald Roman Fort — with the longest surviving stretch of original Wall curtain — is just a short walk from the village. Your third night is in the Gilsland area.

Your final day is free. Options include a morning visit to Birdoswald (Banna), the remarkable fort at the point where the Wall material changes from stone to turf. The nearby stretch of Wall curtain here is the longest above-ground section anywhere on the route. Gilsland has a railway halt on the Newcastle–Carlisle line with services in both directions, making onward travel straightforward.

## What's included

- Three nights' accommodation in selected B&Bs and guesthouses - Luggage transfer on each walking day - Comprehensive pre-departure information pack - Step-by-step route notes for each walking day - 1:25,000 OS maps for each section - GPX files for phone or GPS device - 24/7 on-trip support phone number

## Practical notes

**Start point:** Chollerford, NE46 4EN. Chollerford is best reached by car (there is parking near Chesters Fort) or by taxi from Hexham station (approximately 10 minutes). Hexham has regular trains from Newcastle.

**End point:** Gilsland village, CA8 7DA. Gilsland has a railway halt on the Newcastle–Carlisle line, with regular services in both directions. Haltwhistle station (around 4 miles by taxi) also has onward connections.

**Physical grade:** Moderate to strenuous. Day 3 is the longest and most demanding, involving significant ascent and descent on the Whin Sill. Boots with ankle support are recommended throughout.

**Best months:** May to September.