Walking Coast To Coast Via Hadrians Wall Path : Chollerford to Haltwhistle
We got an early start and stopped to make breakfast an hour later in a cow field once the path had moved away from the road. Later, we stopped for a brew at Mithras Temple at Brocolita fort. The temple was probably built by soldiers stationed on the wall in around 200AD and features a small walled area containing some carved pillars and broken statues, the fort itself is a series of lumps and bumps in the landscape.
| The Temple At Brocolitia | Temple Of Mithras | Hadrians Wall Path Near Shield On The Wall |
This section of the path is excellent walking country where the tranquility was shattered by by a couple of RAF Harriers at low level going to and from the firing ranges at Spadeadam to the North. This area has substantial remains of Hadrians Wall and the Vallum and we made good progress getting to Housteads fort by lunchtime. As well as the spectacular Roman Fort here there are also useful facilities for backpackers such as a toilet and a small cafe.
| Near Broomlee Lough | Approaching Housteads | Housteads |
The route between Housteads and Steel Rigg was the most rugged section of our coast to coast walk and in my opinion had the most spectacular countryside, but it was also the busiest with other walkers.
| Housteads | Milecastle 40 | Steel Rigg |
West of Steel Rigg things became much quieter and wilder and we pressed on before heading away from the wall to find Haltwhistle camp site, where they had a cat with thumbs!
| Steel Rigg And Crag Lough | Cawfields | Cawfields From Great Chesters |
