The Sycamore Gap Walk Along Hadrian’s Wall Northumberland
Sycamore Gap is one of the most iconic sights of the Northumberland countryside, attracting thousands of visitors every year to see the famous tree in the natural gap along Hadrian’s Wall. It’s worth a visit in its own right, in a dramatic but beautiful location, and offers a fairly easy country walk, with parking and pubs and visitor centres nearby. The Sycamore Gap walk is one you can’t miss along Hadrian’s Wall.
Despite being a stunning photo spot especially on a bright sunny day, or against the Northumberland dark skies backdrop on a crisp, clear night, Sycamore Gap was made famous worldwide after being a feature scene in Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
The film really put it on the map, with many visitors flocking to see it just for this reason. Whether you just want to see it in real life for yourself rather than on screen, or you’re looking for a Northumberland day out with a nice walk and plenty to see, the Sycamore Gap walk ticks all the boxes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Sycamore Gap walk along Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland.
The Sycamore Gap Walk
Depending on your walking ability, who you’re doing it with, and how long you want to be out walking for you have various options for your Sycamore Gap walk. These walks vary in both difficulty and distance but don’t get a higher level than ‘Moderate’ on any of the National Trust or Northumberland walking guides.
The difficulty comes from lack of clear path in some areas, including loose rocks and gravel, some steep sections of the hill, and generally being quite an open and rugged part of Hadrian’s Wall. The natural elements can make it wet, slippery and muddy, so you wouldn’t be out of place in walking boots and walking gear, but equally if the weather allows you could do it in old trainers.
From Steel Rigg Car Park
The shortest and the easiest is from Steel Rigg car park, and this one takes about half an hour. If you park here there is a gate from the car park which takes you onto the Hadrian’s Wall trail.
Look for the lake ahead and go in that direction, over some low hills. You will come across Milecastle 39, and keep going from here where you will see Sycamore Gap over the next hill. You can’t miss it! The path is fairly easy to walk along, sometimes gravelly and other times grassy, but it is quite exposed so take warm clothing especially if it’s a windy day.
Once at Sycamore Gap you could simply turn back and head back to the car park, or extend your walk further along the Hadrian’s Wall trail, or loop back round to one of the other notable locations in the area.
Sycamore Gap From The Sill
The Sill National Discovery Centre can be found on the Military Road (B6318), and is a visitor centre with educational and interactive displays, a viewpoint rooftop, and has a cafe for post walk refreshments. You can actually do some guided walks from The Sill, details of which you can find here. I’ve done one myself, you can read about it in this post on The Sill.
These walks also vary in length and difficulty so research what you’re signing up for, but many of them are really interesting and incorporate a lot of the local area history.
If you just want to do the Sycamore Gap walk from The Sill, then you can park up and head off to Hadrian’s Wall trail directly from the car park. There are maps available inside, but it’s fairly easy to find the Hadrian’s Wall trail directly from your phone map too.
It’s just a bit further from here than Steel Rigg car park, but shouldn’t take too much longer. You directly walk along sections of Hadrian’s Wall, and local farmland, so be respectful, keep dogs on the leads due to livestock, and look out for signs asking you to keep off certain sections of the wall that are loose, dangerous, or are being preserved.
Along this walk you will also pass Milecastle 39, and again once you’ve reached Sycamore Gap you could continue along the trail for any distance, even on to Housesteads Fort, or loop back around or walk directly back on yourself to The Sill.
Once back, you could enjoy the cafe for a drink or meal, even afternoon tea. Be aware that dogs aren’t allowed inside The Sill, or on some guided walks so best to do the walk yourself if you want to take them.
Visit The Sill official site here.
Sycamore Gap from Twice Brewed Inn
Further along the Military Road from The Sill is Twice Brewed Inn, a great walkers pub, brewery, and place to stay if you’re visiting from afar. The walk to Sycamore Gap from Twice Brewed Inn is the same as from The Sill, just starts further along the road.
They also offer a number of guided walks in the area, so visit the Twice Brewed website for further details to plan your trip.
Sycamore Gap from Housesteads Fort
From Housesteads Fort, which is the remains of the most complete Roman Fort still left today, you can do a circular walk to Sycamore Gap, and back around to Housesteads along the Military Road.
Park at Housesteads and head up to the fort, but instead of heading in join the Hadrian’s Path at the woods instead to follow the trail. You’ll pass Milecastle 38 and eventually reach Sycamore Gap from this direction.
You then continue on past Milecastle 39 to Steel Rigg car park, and joint the Military Road back up to Housesteads Fort that way.
This full circular trail is 5 miles long so can take approximately 2 hours, and is classed as Moderate. For specific details of this route including what to look out for, and specific directions visit the National Trust webpage specifically for this walk from Housesteads Fort.
There is a cafe just next to the car park at Housesteads, which does a very good hot chocolate and other refreshments for when you get back!
Where To Park
The three Sycamore Gaps mentioned here all have car parks at the starting point. The details are:
Steel Rigg car park: Postcode NE47 7AN. For up to three hours it’s £4, then £2 per hour after that up to £10 for the full day.
The Sill Visitor Centre car park: Postcode NE47 7AN and you can’t miss it on the corner, it’s signposted too. Parking is £2 for up to two hours, then £1 per hour after that up to £5.
Twice Brewed Inn: Free parking if you’re staying or visiting the pub
Housesteads Car Park: NE47 6NN and is £4 for up to three hours, then £2 per hour after that up to £10. You can get Hadrian’s Wall parking passes, and full details of this can be found on the Northumberland National Park webpage here.
The webpages linked in this post have detailed maps, but you can also put any of these destinations into your Apple or Google maps and the trails as well as iconic spots, landmarks and car parks are all there so you can have access to them on the go.
However you choose to enjoy the Sycamore Gap walk along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, you’ll be met with outstanding views of the countryside, pass by iconic Roman milecastles and even the best preserved Roman fort at Housesteads if you go that way, and the iconic Sycamore tree in the natural gap of the landscape.
Other posts you might like:
The Sill, Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort with Visit Northumberland