I felt that this route was slightly inaccurate, particularly along the section from Turret 52A to Turret 50B where it looks as if you are going to be walking along the dead straight road (quiet, good visibility) for a couple of miles. I particularly liked the section over the River Irthing, with a modern footbridge and information and some remains of the original Roman Bridge. From Boothby there was a very lovely walk through Brampton Ridge Woods, with lots of big old trees, a good path, and lovely views down to the north west. I’d love to give the route 5* but that road section made me drop a star....

Mary Oz

We walked this on a glorious bright winters day, starting from the lovely town of Brampton (after having caught the bus from Carlisle bus station)....

Gismay

The field crossing from Old Church Lane to Stanegate (Roman Road) was surprisingly good, with gorgeous views to admire, looking down on surrounding countryside. Unfortunately, the only river crossings (Irthing and Cambeck) available in today’s world (there’s evidence of historic crossing points) took us a long way round along a relatively busy road (A6071) with no pavement but partial verges, and lots of farm vehicles with trailers. From Irthington (a village with a good pub/hotel but only 25% through the route) there was a significant climb along a quiet country lane to reach the Hadrian’s Wall long distance footpath. Along here there was evidence of the Vallum which runs alongside the Roman Wall, but the wall itself has disappeared almost completely....

Mary Oz

On our way out of Scotby, we walked over a stile, down an unpaved country lane where we were presented with three gates (the route suggests walking in....

Gemma

Once at the highest point, we saw a parting of a group of trees on the horizon which the route took us through - this section was extremely boggy and the following fields were also very wet!...

Gemma

From Hallbankgate along the A689 felt too dangerous to walk along. Overall this second half to the day felt really difficult and would only recommend to people who would want a challenging walk that may have to be diverted in parts....

Polly

Brampton-Haltwhistle made up the second day of our Slow Ways walk from Carlisle-Newcastle completed in July. It was a long and tough day’s walk for our group and receives two stars overall for the terrain underfoot, despite being a great walk in other aspects. Appropriate outdoor gear, long trousers, walking poles and stout footwear all recommended. A local recommended avoiding the main road as the large quarry vehicles go fast....

Emerald

A decent route from Carlisle to Brampton, making up the first section of our five day walk from Carlisle to Newcastle. Road walking takes you to Warwick Bridge and another refuel stop at Sally’s friendly tea shop, which is just across from Co-op. More road walking takes you past Toppin Castle. Note the red sandstone cross on the outskirts of Brampton that marks the site of a Capon tree that once stood there....

Emerald

This is a gently undulating walk out of Carlisle, mainly on small roads and footpaths, as well as through a little wood and a golf course! From Scotby we turned left and continued on paved roads until taking a stile and passing under a bridge through to a field. It was quite muddy with lots of sheep, but lovely to be off the roads. From the woods we then emerged into Warwick, by a pub and then turned right onto the pavement along the A69 to Warwick Bridge....

Polly

A road with many bends downhill, it's nevertheless quite safe if you take the normal precautions. A mixture of footpaths, fields and road walking bring us to Coombe Crag, where we follow the Path through a muddy wood, before heading along the line of the vallum and turf wall for some distance. Lots of interesting Roman remains here, but we press on, following the Wall up steps to the farm of Willowford, before heading downhill into Gilsland where we reach the road and, walking a little uphill, come to the end by the bus stops....

Hiking Historian

From here, it's a series of paved roads walks through Botcherby and Scotby Bridge (a few slight inclines). Taking the next junction, the road is paved up until the bridge over the beck, but we're not on it for much longer; a stile at a gate brings us to a track under the railway, and then across a field. Past the church, it's paved, but that soon vanishes, and we're onto quiet unpaved country roads once more, and almost constantly uphill. Once over Lower Gelt Bridge (with nice rapids!), we're on another unpaved road, although this one is a dead-end, only serving a couple of houses. We eventually emerge onto a paved road, and once around the corner, we're in the centre of Brampton....

Hiking Historian

I walked this route, starting at Haltwhistle and finishing at Brampton. Coming out of Haltwhistle, the route recommends a rather circuitious diversion involving crossing the South Tyne twice. I found the eastern part quite straightforward, with the bridleway here quite clear and the ground fairly firm. The views here are possibly the most dramatic on the route, with the vast expanse of Cold Fell to the south a sight to behold, as well as good views into the valleys to the north. Before long you begin to reach a proper farm track again and the route becomes much easier going. From Hallbankgate to Brampton the route is fairly straightforward....

Chappers