Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 22.2 mi 35.7 km
- Walking time 10–11 h
- Ascent 920 m 3,000 ft
- Descent 950 m 3,100 ft
- Difficulty Hard
Eight miles along Hadrian's Wall, then Wark Forest and the long road to Bellingham.
Section 13: Greenhead to Bellingham map
Example stay Lyndale Guest House (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: Pennine Way route description on National Trails . The walk follows that page's sixteen days, checked 17 October 2026. Distance and climb are measured on our line between these ends, not taken from its mile figures.
The walk
Another Pennine Way classic, and a long day that feels it. From Greenhead the Way follows Hadrian's Wall for 8 miles (12.8 km), including its most dramatic stretches along the crags, sharing the path with Hadrian's Wall walkers. The ups and downs give it the third-most ascent of any day on the Way. At Rapishaw Gap you leave the stones and the crowds for the silent Wark Forest, then farmland, a little moor and Shitlington Crag, and finally a tortuous road into Bellingham.
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Start of section
Greenhead
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Hadrian's Wall
Eight miles along the Roman frontier, over Walltown Crags and the high ground to Steel Rigg, with magnificent views. Wainwright thought the Pennine Way should end here.
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Detour for food
Once Brewed
Little more than a pub and a youth hostel, just south of the Wall. The only food today, and a good place to stop for a shorter day on the Wall.
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1 mile off route
Housesteads and Cuddy's Crags
The finest excavated fort on the Wall and its most famous view are about 1 mile (1.6 km) off the Way. Worth it if you stay at Once Brewed.
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Wark Forest
At Rapishaw Gap the Way turns north from the Wall into quiet forest, then farmland and Shitlington Crag before Bellingham.
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End of section
Bellingham
Section 13: Greenhead to Bellingham overview
The ground
- Steep ups and downs
- Forest
- Field paths
- Road
Long, with steep ups and downs along the Wall. Only Cross Fell and the first day have more ascent. The Wall half is easy to follow but relentless; the second half is flatter and fiddlier.
Stops
Refreshments
- Nothing on the line. Once Brewed
- a detour from the Wall
- has a pub and YHA The Sill. Bellingham has the Black Bull
- cafés and a Co-op
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Bellingham to Greenhead
Walked north to south, you leave Bellingham by the road, cross the moor by Shitlington Crag and Wark Forest, and meet Hadrian's Wall at Rapishaw Gap for the eight miles of crags west to Greenhead.
End of section
Greenhead
Greenhead to Bellingham FAQ
How much of Hadrian's Wall does the Pennine Way follow?
About 8 miles (12.8 km), from Greenhead to Rapishaw Gap, including the best of the crags. Housesteads fort is about 1 mile off route.
Is the Pennine Way diverted at Bellingham?
From 16 November 2026 to 26 March 2027 the Way is diverted on the road through Bellingham. Check the National Trails notice before you walk.
Can I stop at Once Brewed?
Yes, and it makes the day much shorter. Once Brewed has a youth hostel, a pub and B&Bs nearby. Our 17-day plan sleeps on the Wall.
Can I download a GPX for Greenhead to Bellingham?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Used as Day 13 on the 15-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 15-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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