Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Day: 5
From: Once Brewed/Steel Rigg To: Gilsland
Start Walking: 701am End Walking: 1106am Walking Time: 3h39m
Distance (Planned): 16.4km Distance (Garmin): 13.4km
Ascent: 393m Descent: 462m
Progress: 86.1/138km
Weather: Cool and grey, with a nice breeze.
Stayed At: The Samson Inn
General Comments:
• I was determined to outwit the Weather Gods today, so I put my pack cover on my backpack and dared it to rain.😄 It worked! No rain!
• However, my whacky distances continued. It’s like a lottery every day.🤣
• There was more wonderful wall today and the odd turret, and tower. One section of wall was still 10 courses high, which is impressive considering its age.
• I get the feeling that all the big climbs are done now, including Winshiels being the highest point in the Hadrian’s Wall Path. The terrain appears to be flattening slightly and I suspect the Wall will disappear along with the hills.
• Like previous days, there were magnificent views in every direction. Towards the end of today’s stage, I took a short wander around the ruins of Thirlwall Castle – definitely harking back to an earlier age and more fragile existence.
• There were plenty of walkers on the trail and interestingly, most of them were walking the Pennine Way, not Hadrian’s Wall. We crossed the Pennine Way when we did the Coast to Coast Path a few weeks back and I am sure it is as beautiful as people say. Hard, but beautiful.
Top Tips:
• Rest Areas: There are some nice rest areas along the trail today, including an old quarry that has been converted to a lake and bird sanctuary. And there were toilets!
Not far to go now…
Life...one big adventure 
I can see why this route is called the Wall Path – just love the photos! Wow, those ruins of Thirlwall Castle are barely standing (it almost looks like they would topple over like Lego blocks if you happened to lean against them 🫣).
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