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A 13 km walk from Housesteads combining the Hadrian’s Wall landscape at Cuddy’s Crags with a quieter approach to Queen’s Crag. The route has a lower circuit and a long out-and-back section: the northern track is followed in both directions, not joined across Broomlee Lough.
From the Housesteads visitor area, the walking route passes outside the fort and heads west along the Wall corridor to Cuddy’s Crags. It then leaves the ridge on the Pennine Way and turns east along the pasture paths towards Busy Gap. The next section follows the public footpath along Sewingshields Crags and the farm track north, before taking the mapped track west towards the eastern end of Queen’s Crag.
Queen’s Crag is a sandstone outcrop, contrasting with the harder igneous Whin Sill along the Wall. This walk approaches the crag from its northern side and turns at the end of the mapped track. It does not climb onto the crag, visit its detached western boulder, or enter the limestone pavement beside Broomlee Lough. Stay on the track and keep back from rock faces and edges; do not extend the route onto an assumed path.
Retrace the northern approach to Busy Gap, then follow the Wall-side paths back towards Housesteads, using the established Knag Burn crossing and the exterior path around the fort to regain the starting approach.
Allow an estimated 4½ hours of walking, plus stops; difficult conditions may take longer. This is a moderate walk rather than an easy stroll: expect ascents and descents, uneven and potentially boggy ground, gates and several stiles, including ladder stiles. Wear suitable footwear and carry navigation suitable for open moorland. Follow any local restrictions; if a path or crossing is flooded, obstructed or closed, turn back rather than improvising a bypass. Use established crossings only; do not enter floodwater. Keep dogs on a lead throughout. Watch for farm vehicles on shared tracks and use the established pedestrian passage at cattle grids.
Start on the pedestrian approach beside the Housesteads visitor area. Parking is charged; check the current arrangements before travelling. The walk stays outside the paid fort and museum, which can be visited separately subject to admission and opening arrangements. Check current facilities and transport rather than relying on older visitor-centre information.
Sources and current visitor information:
https://www.yorksgeolsoc.org.uk/whinsillguide
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort/housesteads-to-steel-rigg-circular-walk
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/app/uploads/walk_11.pdf
Geometry reconstructed from licensed mapped paths, not field-surveyed. © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0: https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
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A 13 km walk from Housesteads combining the Hadrian’s Wall landscape at Cuddy’s Crags with a quieter approach to Queen’s Crag. The route has a lower circuit and a long out-and-back section: the northern track is followed in both directions, not joined across Broomlee Lough.
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