Skip to content
Walkers at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall
Walkers at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall | © Roger Coulam
North East

Sycamore Gap walk

Take a circular walk starting from the visitor centre to the Roman Fort and then along the World Heritage Roman wall footpath to the iconic Sycamore Gap. Although the tree is no longer there, the stump remains and may regrow so please do respect it. See great views across the countryside as you walk alongside the ancient wall in the heritage landscape. Return via the historic Roman Military Way.

Uneven ground

The path is dressed with stone in places. Wear appropriate footwear and take care on uneven ground.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

Housesteads Visitor Centre, grid ref: NY793684

Step 1

Leave Housesteads Visitor Centre and take the main path up to Housesteads Fort. Keep to the left of the fort and enter the wood at the top of the hill. Join the Hadrian’s Wall Path here, heading west.

Step 2

After passing Hotbank Farmhouse which is on the north side of the wall and the earthworks of Milecastle 38 on the south side, cross over the farm track at the bottom of the hill and switch to the north side of the wall following the path through Crag Lough woods. As you drop down from the Crag you’ll cross over Hadrian’s Wall at Sycamore Gap. Although the famous Sycamore tree is no longer there, the stump remains and may regrow. Please respect the barrier around it and take your photos from a distance.

Step 3

To start the return journey, walk downhill from the gap for 45m until you reach a path running parallel to the Wall which follows the route of the Roman Military Way and head east. This path is less undulating than the main Hadrian’s Wall Path that you have been on.

Step 4

When you reach the farm track at Hotbank Farm re-join the Hadrian’s Wall Path and retrace your steps past milecastle 38 and Hotbank Farm.

Step 5

Past mile castle 38 near the top of the hill just past the wood on your left, take the diagonal path towards another small wood on your right. Keep heading east along the Roman Military Way.

Step 6

When you get back to Housesteads Fort head downhill and follow the main path back to the Visitor Centre.

End point

Housesteads Visitor Centre, grid ref: NY793684

Trail map

Trail map for Sycamore Gap walk at Hadrian's wall and Housesteads Fort
Trail map for Sycamore Gap walk at Hadrian's wall and Housesteads Fort | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Visitors admiring the autumn view on their walk along the footpath at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland
Trail
Trail

Housesteads to Steel Rigg circular walk 

Explore one of the richest parts of the country for Roman archaeology on the Housesteads to Steel Rigg circular walk and get close to Hadrian's Wall.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)
Disused railway embankment covered with grass, with path running along the top towards fence and copse of trees
Trail
Trail

Wannie Line walk 

Follow this circular walk along the Wannie and Rothbury railway lines and discover Wallington's post-industrial landscape.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6.3 (km: 10.08)
Dog walking in autumn at Wallington, Northumberland
Trail
Trail

River walk at Wallington 

A short, easy walk along the River Wansbeck and around the Wallington Estate in Northumberland.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.6 (km: 4.16)

Get in touch

Near Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 6NN

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

A visitor walks on a sunny day at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland.
Place
Place

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort 

Roman wall running through an often wild landscape

Hexham, Northumberland

Fully open today
Four visitors and a dog walking along a footpath next to Hadrian's Wall
Article
Article

Explore Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort 

Inscribed a World Heritage Site in 1987, there is plenty to explore at Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort. A historic landscape, there is lots of wildlife also to discover.

A close-up section of Hadrian's Wall
Article
Article

History of Hadrian's Wall 

Discover the history of Hadrian’s Wall, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Takeaway coffee cup and brownie in the cafe at Divis and the Black Mountain, near Belfast, County Antrim
Article
Article

Eating at Hadrian's Wall 

Housesteads Visitor Centre is a great place to grab some refreshments during your day out at Hadrian's Wall.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

Visitors admiring the autumn view on their walk along the footpath at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland

Walking in the North East 

From a trek through the largest area of ancient woodland in Northumberland to a walk in the footsteps of the Romans along Hadrian's Wall, there are some amazing places to walk in the North East.