#CountryKids on Hadrian's Wall #WhateverTheWeather

We had a three generation trip to Hadrian's Wall on what turned out to be a pretty hot day. It was going to be a proper hike so when we got out of the car at Steel Rigg car park we all donned our proper boots and slapped on the sun block:

The route to the wall is very well signposted as this is one of the most popular sections of the Wall to walk:

Once we exited the trees the reason for the Romans building the wall here became clear as they used the natural contours as part of the defences:

Of course it meant that we would have a steep climb up to start of our hike:

My son took it in his stride and armed with Granny's sat-map he was happy to lead us for most of the way:

We had a few close encounters with locals who graze along the Wall:

They seem to cope with all the ups and downs better than us humans! It was certainly disconcerting at times to look ahead and realise how many times we were going to have go down then climb back up:

Luckily there were good reasons to pause and checkout the remains of things like this Milecastle:

For the grown ups we were transported back to the time of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves:

There were also a few shady spots which we were really grateful for on a hot day:

Sometimes it was great to turn around and look back at where we had come from:

This remote farmhouse was probably built from stones from the Wall:

Our canine family member was the one who found the hiking the least exhausting:

The rest of us were very grateful for the flatter sections on the tops:

They made for spectacular viewing points across the old Border country:

It is amazing how they managed to construct a wall in this landscape:

There are plenty of modern crossing points on what was once a barrier:

Some of the route is very basic and well worn:

Other sections had stone steps to make it easier to get up or down. This one the boys ran up:

At times we also had to climb over stiles or pass through gates:

The next Milecastle had part of its archway intact although there was a drop on the other side so no possible access:

Eventually we reached our goal and Housesteads Fort. We had time for a picnic lunch and then a quick visit to the museum:

On the way back we decided to take the Roman Military Way instead of following the actual Wall:

It did prove to be a less arduous route (except for flying ants!). There was also a chance for my son to spot this noisy little cricket:

We were soon back at Sycamore Gap:

Then we encountered some very boggy ground:

It was nice feeling to get back to the point where we had started:

It was steep climb back up to the car park though... By now it was quite late in the afternoon and we only just made it to the Old Forge at Greenhead for a well earned afternoon tea:

I had used Strava to track our walk and it was interesting to see how the out and back compared:

All in all a fabulous family hike in an awesome location.