We opted to spend 2 nights at Once Brewed and a whole day on a circular walk including the most iconic sections of the Wall - the climbers' paradise of High Shield Crag above Crag Lough, Sycamore Gap ( with its famed 'Robin Hood film' tree ), Milecastles 37 and 39 , the best sections of Clayton Wall and the extensive Housesteads Fort and museum. Less than an hour south on footpaths you reach the privately owned site of the Roman town of Vindolanda. In addition to the extensive site ( it's estimated another 200 years is needed to complete the excavations! ) there are reconstructions and a very good museum including information about the wafer-thin Roman 'postcards' - the Vindolanda Tablets.
Day 6 begins along Winshield Crags and over the highest point on the trail ( Green Slack 345m ). Names like Caw Gap, Bloody Gap, Thorny Doors, Cawfield Crags and Hole Gap reflect the impressive scenery as you pass a number of turrets, milecastles and high wall sections. At Great Chesters you see what a mainly unexcavated fort looks like. After one final upland stretch of Wall on Walltown Crags you descend to the Roman Army Museum ( Carvoran ) worthy of an extended visit with its entertaining, interactive and highly informative displays. Another steep descent past Thirlwall Castle to Greenhead and Gilsland ends the high moorland section.

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