Haltwhistle Walks
This Northumberland town is in a good position for exploring the nearby Hadrian's Wall and River South Tyne. The Pennine Way National trail also passes through the area providing an opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside on a good waymarked footpath.
This route from Haltwhistle uses sections of the Hadrian's Wall Path, Pennine Way, the River Tyne Trail and the South Tyne Trail to create a circular walk around the town.
The walk starts at the train station and heads north along the Haltwhistle Burn to Hadrian's Wall, passing the pretty lake at Cawfields Quarry on the way. Here you can pick up the waymarked trail and follow it west along the wall to the Aesica Roman Fort and the ruins of the 14th century Thirwall Castle at Holmhead. This section also passes Walltown Crags, one of the best preserved sections of the wall.
At the castle you can pick up the Pennine Way and follow it south to Greenhead Cleugh, Black Hill, Blenkinsopp Common and Hartleyburn Common. Here you pick up a path along the Hartley Burn which leads north east to meet with the River South Tyne. Follow the riverside path round to Park Village, passing some pretty waterfalls on the way. Here you can pick up the South Tyne Trail and follow the trail north east along a dismantled railway line back into Haltwhistle.
Postcode
NE49 9HN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHaltwhistle Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Haltwhistle Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Haltwhistle OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Haltwhistle Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Black Bull lies in the oldest part of Haltwhistle. It has a charming old interior With a large open fire, exposed stone walls and oak beams. It has an interesting history being the oldest inn in Haltwhistle, with its original foundations in the 12th century. The first records show an inn being present on the site in 1652. The pub does very good food and also has a fine selection of ales. You can find it at the Market Square with a postcode of NE49 0BL for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country trails on the route make for a good walk for fit dogs. The Black Bull mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Near Thirwell and Greenhead on the wall you can head west to visit the noteworthy Birdoswald Fort. There's an interesting museum here with an interactive exhibition which details the history of the fort. Near here you can visit the splendid Crammel Linn waterfall which sits in a wonderful river gorge north of Gilsland.
Head east and you can visit the significant Housesteads as well. The fort dates from AD 124 and includes a barracks block, hospital, Commander's House, granaries and communal toilets which are all still visible today. The picturesque Greenlee Lough and the Sycamore Gap are also nearby.
On the route near Featherstone you could head south to visit the Lambley Viaduct. The impressive structure is another of the landmarks of the area. Near here you can also pay a visit to Featherstone Castle, a Grade I listed Gothic style country mansion.
A few miles to the south west there's the RSPB's Geltsdale and the pretty Tindale Tarn to explore.
For more walking ideas in the area see the North Pennines Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Valley of Haltwhistle Burn near the Milecastle Inn. Rising in the peaty uplands below the ridge of the Whin Sill, the burn passes through the Roman Military Zone south of Hadrian's Wall and through a dramatic sandstone gorge before descending between wooded banks to the South Tyne Valley.
Bridge House, Haltwhistle Burn. The Military Road (B6318) lies just beyond the house. In the middle distance to the right can be seen Cawfields Crag which lies on the Roman Wall
Cawfields Quarry. A flooded quarry near Hadrian's Wall, now a picnic site
A fragment of Hadrian's Wall at Walltown. In the distance can be seen the ranges at Spadeadam Forest.
Ancient and Modern at Great Chesters Aesica Roman Fort. It was the ninth fort on Hadrian's Wall, between Vercovicium (Housesteads) to the east and Magnis (Carvoran) to the west. Its purpose was to guard the Caw Gap, where the Haltwhistle Burn crosses the Wall.
Thirlwall Castle. These are the ruined remains of an early 14th century motte and bailey castle. Much of the stone used in the building of this fortified structure came from nearby Hadrian's Wall.
A dog on the Pennine Way footbridge over the Glencune Burn. One of the most exciting features on this section of the Pennine Way!
Weir on the River South Tyne at Featherstone