Hadrian Wall Path — Day 2
Beaumont to Crosby-on-Eden, 17km
Finally at full force, with the flight-delayed Orly, Michael and Arie joining us.
The second day traverses mostly along river Eden, walking in lush vegetation near the river bank. Starting from Beaumont we found the trail blocked for road slippage danger and had to take a post-signed detour. Within 3km we started to see the houses of Carlisle, but the trail — while it crosses the town — doesn’t go through the town streets, but next to the river bank and near the Carlisle castle and Rickerby park. You’d expect a river bank trail to be flat as it follows the level river bank. Not this one. The trail spans above the river and goes up and down into creeks that flow into the river, bringing an accumulated elevation gain close to 200 meters.
Not actually walking the streets of Carlisle ruined the plans to spend some time at a Carlisle Cafe, and definitely affected the profitability of the local stores and cafes. Taking a detour to a Cafe was an option that was ruled out as we still had about 9km to go, and we are still getting into shape. We took a break at Bitts Park instead. We kept walking till we hit a self-serve place in Linstock and stopped for some cold drinks. At Low Crosby, half a km before the end of the trail for the day, we found the Stag Inn and finally had our dose of wine, beer, Shandy and some food.
Being 19 hikers, we contracted Amble Tours which has a bus that takes us to the start of the trail and brings us back to the hotel at the end. Stuart, who is the owner and our driver, is great.
