Winter woodlands

10:00am Friday 21st November 2008

This winter walk takes you through fine deciduous woodland in the valley of the River Calder, onto slopes above the hurrying river. Near Thornholme, an isolated farmhouse, you cross by footbridges, first the river and then a beck, Worm Gill.

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Bigland Barrow walk

9:20am Friday 7th November 2008

THIS is a pleasant walk to Bigland Barrow, which stands to the south of Lake Windermere. It is sometimes a roller-coaster walk but a gentle one. Now that the bracken is dead, the hill slopes have taken on a lovely bronze colour and you can spot the footpaths more easily. From the summit you have some splendid views.

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Explore the eastern Lakes

9:50am Friday 24th October 2008

The steady ascent through lovely tree-clad Dovedale takes you close to the beck and its dramatic waterfalls. At the head of the dale, this walk continues, for a little way, onto the slopes, a great contrast after the lushness of the dale. The return is made along the side of Brothers Water and on to Hartsop village. Park at Cow Bridge off the A592, two miles south of Patterdale, grid ref 401354. The area has two small sections, which fill up very quickly, so it is a good idea to get there early.

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Make the most of autumn’s glories

10:20am Friday 10th October 2008

This delightful walk from Broughton-in-Furness first takes you along pleasing paths and tracks that use, or keep close to, part of the old railway track along which trains travelled to Foxfield from Coniston. Then footpaths carry on through ancient woodlands before some quiet road walking to Woodland church. The route returns through the peaceful valley, a joy to walk at any time of the year. But, just at the moment, with the vegetation and the leaves of the trees still lush after all the rain, they are superb as they begin to reveal their autumn colours. Park in the square at Broughton-in-Furness, grid ref 214876.

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‘Sunday best’ stroll

9:56am Friday 3rd October 2008

A year or so ago I was asked if I knew of a ‘Wainwright’ that a disabled doctor could attempt.

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Moors and other high places

10:18am Friday 26th September 2008

As I drive from Ulpha over Birker Moor I have often been intrigued by the path, high on the left, that makes large zigzags through the ubiquitous bracken up the steep slope of Brantrake Crags. Now the bracken is less aggressive and soon it will be fading and changing colour, making the ascent easier. This is a tremendous walk, rather challenging, but one that takes you through glorious deciduous woodland, up a rugged fellside, and over lonely pathless moorland. It returns through remote gentle pastures and then down a glorious gill to round off a great day. Park in the small car park near to Dalegarth Hall, grid ref 172003. To reach this, take a minor road off the A595 between Bootle and Ravenglass. If approaching from Eskdale Green, take a narrow right turn opposite the old school, just before Dalegarth Station, on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway line.

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Artistic views

9:48am Friday 5th September 2008

Choose a fine day to enjoy Silloth, a small quiet town with glorious views. It nestles on the Cumbrian shore of the Solway Firth, facing across the wide estuary to Dumfries and Galloway. On a still day, when the sea is calm, Criffel - Dumfries’s high hill - is pleasingly reflected in the glassy water. On a less than still day, wrap up warm and enjoy the waves breaking against the shore and the clean invigorating air racing inland. If possible, stay to watch a sunset, fine enough to be recorded for posterity by J.M.W. Turner, the landscape artist.

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Raise your eyes to the hills

10:40am Friday 29th August 2008

With its one narrow access road, the Kentmere valley remains unspoilt. It has distinct paths and deciduous woodland with some Scots pine. It has superb outcrops, huge boulders and many small streams, which you cross on well-worn stone slabs. The view of the mountains as you move into the valley is spectacular, but this walk does not seek to reach the heights but provides a delightful low-level walk, which is comparatively dry underfoot and is generally sheltered during windy weather. Just before you return, ahead of you lies Kentmere reservoir, extensive, high and remote. It is up on the slopes, above the tarn, that the River Kent rises and journeys through the Kentmere valley and on to pass through Kendal.

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Discover the glories of limestone country

9:30am Friday 15th August 2008

This is a good walk of contrasts. It starts from Settle and very soon joins a wide walled track out into the quiet undulating countryside to the south of the town. Low-level paths lead you on to the extensive deciduous woodland at Cleatop Park. Finally, more easy-to-walk walled tracks bring you to the foot of the dramatic limestone hills, above the town. Ascend these by more paths leading up through the spectacular crags to Victoria Cave. After descending on a good track, the return is made on a high-level path above the River Ribble. The river doesn’t enter Settle but, once free of the hills, divides the ancient parish of Giggleswick from the newer parish of Settle and journeys on. Park at Greenfoot car park, Settle, grid ref 810634. To access this, if driving south along the A65, leave at the turn off for Settle. Once in the pleasing town turn left just beyond traffic lights, into the market square, and bear right. Ignore the narrow lane climbing steeply and go ahead on the lower road to the car park, not marked on the OS map.

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