Gilsland to Carlisle is about 19 miles, the longest standard stage. It starts with the longest continuous stretch of standing wall, to Birdoswald fort above the Irthing gorge, then becomes a long, low walk through Cumbrian pasture and quiet lanes, joining the River Eden into Carlisle. Longer itineraries split it with a night at Brampton.
It feels like
The hardest day, by far the longest
Walking it, mile by mile
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Around mile 52 · Birdoswald Roman Fort · Best moment
The longest continuous stretch of standing wall leads to Birdoswald, high above the Irthing gorge. You won't pass better-preserved wall.
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Around mile 58 · Brampton
The geology relents: long, low miles through Cumbrian pasture and quiet lanes, the wall a buried presence, carted off long ago to build Lanercost Priory and half of Carlisle.
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Around mile 61 · Newtown · Hardest part
The long, low miles after the crags, on legs that have already done the climbing.
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Around mile 69 · Carlisle
The path joins the River Eden for the final approach, arriving in Carlisle through Rickerby Park.
What you pass
- Birdoswald Roman Fort
- High above the Irthing gorge, reached along the longest continuous stretch of standing wall on the trail. (around mile 52)
Food, water and practicalities
Café at Birdoswald early on; a pub at Crosby-on-Eden later. Start early, this is the day to have daylight in hand. Carlisle has every service, including pharmacies for blister repairs.
On this stage
