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Concept, words and pictures © 2011 Mark Richards authour of the Cicerone Lakeland Fellranger series Design and Print - Badger Press: 015394 45399 terrace path on Catbells. Spectacular stuff, all within the 777/ 7S7tAag SetPagaetPha th et hfea mfaimlyi lyw waya yt oto wwaallk capacity of any normally fit person with only a very basic understanding of maps and route finding. The only Ride and Stride with the Honister Rambler bus section where you are remote from the road is the mountain trail stage from Gatesgarth (near the eastern end of lake) to the Honister Mine on Honister Pass, this short section can be omitted – the bus journey is every bit as exciting as the walk. It should also be pointed out that one needs to request or hail the bus to stop at Gatesgarth, as it is not a schelduled bus stop . The walk can also be studied in greater detail on-line by visiting www.markrichards.info clicking on Ride & Stride StagePaths > 77 StagePath. 77/77A StagePath The ultimate green travel experience. STAGE 1 3 miles 1¼ hours Keswick | Lakeland’s finest scenery combined with superb walking and all for the price of the regular bus fare - STAGE 2 3¼ miles 2 hours free if you hold a bus pass. This is the third StagePath Braithwaite | Forest Park walking guide leading you from bus stop to bus stop through the essential heart of Lakeland - following on STAGE 3 3¾ miles 2 hours from the 555 StagePath (Windermere to Keswick and Whinlatter Forest Park | High Lorton the 108 StagePath (Penrith to Patterdale). STAGE 4 8 miles 3½ hours From Easter to the end of October the 77 and 77A High Lorton | Buttermere services form one of the most remarkable regular bus journeys in Britain. The service efficiently transporting a STAGE 5 2¼ miles I¼ hours walker from the midst of Keswick right into the heart of Buttermere | Gatesgarth Farm Whinlatter Forest Park, Buttermere or , with buses orbiting the North-Western via Honister and STAGE 6 3 miles 2¼ hours Whinlatter Passes, both clockwise and anti-clockwise. Gatesgarth Farm | Honister Pass You only have to step onto a bus, travel to one of eight stage starting points then alight and stride confidently STAGE 7 2 miles 1 hour and directly along the StagePath, walking piece-meal the Honister Pass | nine stages of this 34-mile long, largely low-level route, in harmony with the bus. With this guide in your hand you STAGE 8 3¼ miles 1½ hours can now more than double your pleasure of the journey Seatoller|Grange-in-Borrowdale and witness scenes only fleetingly imagined from the bus. Stagecoach brought two super new buses into service in STAGE 9 5½ miles 2¾ hours 2010 radically improving both the quality of the Grange-in-Borrowdale|Keswick experience and passenger capacity. The walk includes Portinscale, Braithwaite, Whinlatter ALWAYS check the timetable – usually displayed at each Forest Park, the Lorton Vale, , bus stop – to confirm bus times for the beginning and Rannerdale, Buttermere village and lake, Warnscale with end of each walk stage. its handsome view of Haystacks, the old quarryman’s track and incline to Honister Mine, the old road to You can also phone TRAVELINE 08712 002 233 or Seatoller and downstream with the River Derwent visit www.stagecoachbus.com for advance planning. through the Jaws of Borrowdale to Grange and along the The StagePath in this booklet has been carefully western shore of Derwent Water, with the option of a researched and described for clarity of route finding. The maps on the other hand are very basic. There is no Window-gazers can reflect on the walk and mountain substitute for carrying and referring to the Ordnance scenery with the aid of ‘From A to B to SEE’, the unique Survey Explorer Map OL4 and/or the handy Harvey Maps Honister Rambler guide to the ride leaflet. Outdoor Atlas before you start. Map Key The route from Keswick to Portinscale and from there Black line – Journey of the 77 and 77A bus service back to Keswick is replicated at the beginning and end of the StagePath. While you can walk the StagePath in either Green line – StagePath walking route orbit, the best scenic odyssey is anti-clockwise hence that (dashes indicate alternative sections) is the following description: High Lorton Whinlatter Forest Park STAGE 1 3 miles 1¼ hours Braithwaite Keswick > Braithwaite

Keswick The gentlest introduction to country walking, leading through meadowland and beside becks via Portinscale. The nine walking stages of the 1 From the Booths bus stop: walk out to the junction Crummock and along the pavement of Tithebarn Street. At the Water Honister Rambler mini-roundabout turn left along the left-hand pavement StagePath beside Main Street to cross Greta Bridge over the the River Derwent Water Derwent, whereupon turn left into the side road footpath N signed ‘Portinscale’. From a hand-gate embark upon a Buttermere Grange-in- metalled footpath beside a hedge in meadowland, Borrowdale stepping over flood defence embankment advance to a further hand-gate Buttermere Gatesgarth Braithwaite from where Keswick Honister Pass the path is 4 2 confined Portinscale 1 Seatoller between fences. Reaching a third 3 Path from Buttermere Hause heading to Buttermere (Stage 4) hand-gate stride into the cul-de-sac road, turn left to cross the River Derwent footbridge. Enter Portinscale by the Hotel to reach the main street (tea-room situated to the left).

77 bus at the Keswick terminal The path to Ullock Farm backed by and

2 Turn right, up the rising street then left into Rickerby Lane, footpath signed ‘Newlands Valley’. Shortly after Rickerby Grange the road becomes a confined footpath leading down to a wicket-gate into a back lane. Turn left and after Little Ellers, quickly right down a hedge-lined footpath to cross a footbridge go through the wicket-gate into meadowland. The popular path leads directly forward with the wooded and scree-scarred Barrow prominent ahead. Advance via a gateway and by a fence. After a hand-gate the path is hemmed in by a fence from the Greta Bridge in Keswick, Main Street beside Yew Tree Cottage garden to reach wicket-gate to emerge onto the minor road. Beech-hedge lined path leaving Portinscale 3 Turn right follow the road passing beyond Ullock Farm to the road junction, turn right, road-sign ‘Braithwaite’. Cross the new road-bridge spanning Newlands Beck, constructed after the damage caused by the floods of November 2009. Entering the hamlet of Little Braithwaite bear right, keep to the top side of the barn, this is a permissive path variant to the footpath signed from the grass triangle. From a gate step down to join the farm-track, follow the beck downstream to a ford (footbridge due to be re-instated at time of writing) - if not in place and you do not fancy wading, then backtrack to Little Braithwaite and follow the narrow road right, to Braithwaite. Once over Beck follow the raised path upstream, by stiles alongside the Scotgate Caravan and Camping Park to join the road in Braithwaite. Turn left and come by the road-bridge, Cumberland County with the general store on the Council sign at the heart far side. of Braithwaite STAGE 2 3¼ miles 2 hours Braithwaite > Whinlatter Forest Park Trees, without the crowd. A steady ascent on quiet woodland and forest paths and tracks.

4 From the road-bridge adjacent to the general store go west along the Whinlatter village lane signposted Forest Park 5 ‘, Lorton 7 5¾’. Go first left by the green-painted Ivy House 6 Hotel to join the Whinlatter 4 Road. Follow this as far as the kissing-gate/footpath sign before the rising Braithwaite right-hand bend. Go through and follow the footpath passing a walled trough and the Hope Camp building. Keep on the left-hand bias path with successive footpath signs directing to ‘Hallgarth’. This leads to a gate, a woodland way to a hand-gate, and subsequent Coledale footbridge. After two hand-gates the path runs along the top edge of pasture close by the bank woodland fence. Turn left to junction post 49, then turn up right, now in Following a kissing-gate the path lies on the woodland mature conifers. This track rises and merges with a track side of the fence, coming by a further hand-gate weave acutely arriving from the left, junction post 45. Continue through the woodland to reach a kissing-gate into a lane forward down to the Revelin Moss forest car park. at a junction of lanes above Hallgarth. 6 To reach the Honister Rambler bus stop descend 5 Turn left ascending the confined bridleway. Though onto the Whinlatter Pass road following this left over deeply rutted, the flood damaged track does not hamper Comb Bridge, walking up to the Whinlatter Forest Park walkers’ progress, climbing to meet the Whinlatter Road. entrance, the bus stop is immediately to the right – with Go left and quickly right passing the barrier rising with the the visitor centre and Siskin Café on the bank above the green partial woodland way. At the junction with the car park. next track turn right and cross the course of Masmill Beck, sweeping easily up to forest junction post 51. Footpath from the Hope Camp

Ivy House Hotel, Braithwaite STAGE 3 3¾ miles 2 hours Whinlatter Forest Park > High Lorton Starting with a pleasing forest track, then along the Whinlatter Pass road, before bearing off along a quiet by-way to stroll down to High Lorton.

7 From the bus stop, at the entrance to the Whinlatter Forest Park, you are obliged to follow the road left, descending to cross Comb Bridge and bear up right with the forest access track towards Revelin Moss car park. Short of the car park bear right with the forest track which crosses Comb Beck and advances up to a wide sweeping forest junction. Keep right, with the main forest track, now in harmony with Sustrans C2C route 71. After Forest track rising beside Masmill Beck passing a sheepfold the track forks, here bear right, High Lorton declining to join the B5292 Higher section of the same forest track road - coming down from Whinlatter Pass. 10 9 Whinlatter Forest Park 8 7

6 Whinlatter Pass overlooking Hobcarton Plantation 8 Follow the road left, watchful of traffic, and after a line of beech trees, bear down left with the narrow gated road, signposted ‘Hopebeck’. This slips over Blaze Bridge rising to a fork in the road. 9 Walkers with the sufficient time and energy might contemplate bearing left with the upper road, though this means walking the entire eleven miles (a full five hours walking time) from Whinlatter to Buttermere. The natural choice is to bear right as with the blue-signed C2C route 71 descend with the road by Boon Beck to enter High Lorton (village shop to the left, bus stop right).

Forest track beneath Hobcarton End Hopebeck Road junction with C2C coast-to-coast route sign

Forest track leading down by Whinlatter Gill 77 and 77A buses simaltaneously leaving the Whinlatter Forest Park visitor centre bus stop STAGE 4 8 miles 3½ hours High Lorton > Buttermere A classic country walk, via a green lane, along lower fellsides and lake shore.

10 From the village street High Lorton by the old brewery cottages, 10 green-trimmed with high access steps, cross Boon Beck - the combined waters of Aiken, Hobcarton and Whinlatter Becks. 11 Bear off left signed Scales. Passing up by Boon Beck House take what is in effect, the second footpath signed right, at a metal kissing- Walker in the green lane from Scales gate. The path leads round by the field boundary, slips through an 11 Turn right, descend to where a bridleway is ornate metal hand-gate into the signposted left, short of a parking recess and road-gate. gravel yard, passing to the left of a Follow this path leading by an old sheepfold to ford Hope barn and the tidy white-washed Beck, advance with the intake wall close right. There are farmhouse and on via its drive. At consistently fine views across the Lorton Vale to the metalled road, go immediately Fellbarrow and Low . The green-way fords Cold Gill right, through the metal gate with coming to a hand-gate at the base of a higher gorse-filled footpath sign, entering a confined enclosure and continues with the wall now up to the left. initially stony lane, with Scales Farm As the sturdy wall ends, contour on, soon resuming buildings to the left. The lane company with the right-hand intake wall; greater 12 becomes an enchanting green mountains loom beyond Lanthwaite Hill, notably way lined with rank hedges rich 13 and ahead, the bold profile of . As in flowers and berries as the the wall curves right normally one would normally follow season unfolds. The lane leads suit coming onto a paved section to reach a footbridge, via a gate to High Swinside. Pass to but - until re-instated after the 2009 floods - you will have the left of the farmhouse, crossing the to either ford Liza Beck or continue upstream to the cattle-grid advancing along the open 14 smaller footbridge at the mouth of the Gasgale Gill ravine, drive to meet the unenclosed Hopebeck fell-road. Fellbarrow across the Vale of Lorton

15

Buttermere 16

Picking blackberries in the green lane from Scales Whiteside and Whin Ben from Lanthwaite Green

Walking along the shore of Crummock Water towards Rannerdale Knotts

Rannerdale Knotts on the path to Rannerdale from Walker strolls beside the intake wall, with Carling Knott Cinderdale Common and in view ahead beneath the heather-clad flank of Whiteside. From either place traverse the open common directly to the open road at Lanthwaite Green. 12 Cross the wall-stile beside the gate to the right of the farm. Follow a green track fenced to the wall, passing the farmhouse and on down to a gate. The fenced track continues right to reach a gate, go through the adjacent kissing-gate on the left, the footpath running with a wall close right to a gate into woodland. Go left, almost immediately veer off left again, down the lesser path from the green woodland way, leading down to a stone boat-house in a sheltered bay of Crummock Water. Rannerdale Wood bluebells and the bluebells of Rannerdale Wood

13 Turn right, the path hugs the eastern shore of Crummock Water through woodland via a kissing-gate duly leading to a frail netting hand-gate into pasture. Continue over a stile and along the tree-fringed shore. After the next hand-gate the path leads along a short stretch of shingle and weaves through a gorse shrubbery. Keep to the lower path until forced up beside a wall to go through a kissing-gate onto the open road. 14 Turn right, cross over by the open car parking area on Cinderdale Common, following the lovely green way advancing south-east with the rugged mass of Rannerdale Knotts dominating ahead. The turf track leads via a stile/gate to enter the open aspect Rannerdale Wood enclosure. In late Spring a rapture of sweet-scented bluebells greets the walker carpeting the entire space, bracken takes the upper hand as Summer unfolds. The path crosses a wooden Wood House and the Buttermere fells from the bridleway footbridge, whereupon from Buttermere Hause veer right. Passing under an outcrop the path wanders through an area of low walls, the remnants of the Viking settlement of Rannerdale, which translates as ‘the valley of the raven’s shieling’. The path is guided left to accompany a valley pasture-bounding wall from a kissing-gate and come through a recessed car park onto Rannerdale Wood bluebells the valley road. 15 Take the pitched footpath signposted left up the bank. Coming over the brow, known as Buttermere STAGE 5 2¼ miles I¼ hours Hause, a shallow stone cutting shows the line of the Buttermere > Gatesgarth Farm ancient cart-way - Victorian road-builders created the modern road just above the lake shore near the foot of Hause Point. You have two fabulous choices, well-made paths run along both The turf trail leads joyously on providing wonderful the southern and northern shores of Buttermere lake, routes mountain prospects over the lake to Mellbreak and the that unite at Gatesgarth. range, with attention mainly focused upon and Wood House the one dwelling in view, backed 17 The southern 16 by woodland overtopped by the distant shore route has Buttermere and Haystacks. The path steps down onto the open the distinct road and follows this left, pass the entrance to Wood advantage of House and veer off the road at the right-hand bend, up avoiding motor roads, the farm lane, this duly re-connects with the valley road though is nearly half-a-mile and passing the National Trust car park enters the longer. Navigation is simple with 18 village of Buttermere. Turn right by the Bridge Hotel to hand-gates and well-made trails: Gatesgarth reach the bus stop, short of the Fish Hotel, with the farm 16 Pass to the left of the Fish Hotel tea-room adjacent. following the lane south to cross the outflow footbridge Grasmoor from Buttermere Hause and through the succeeding hand-gate. Go along the wooded shore, emerging from Burtness Wood the trail runs on below Burtness Comb to cross Peggy’s Bridge coming back across the meadow at the head of the lake to Gatesgarth Farm. The more direct, and equally appealing, northern shore trail leads back along the village street from the bus stop by the Bridge Hotel to turn right and right again into Walkers stride past the Fish Hotel bound for Buttermere lake’s south shore path

Looking down on Buttermere village from High Snockrigg High Stile from the path leading to the northern shore of Buttermere

High Crag and Burtness Comb from Hassness

Haystacks from the path on the northern shore of Buttermere 17 Syke Farm farmyard - with its tea-room and delectable home-made ice cream (more than ‘mere butter’). The farm track leads via gates traversing open Haystacks and across Buttermere pasture to a hand-gate entering a short fenced passage leading to a hand-gate and down steps beside a slab of glacially exposed rock. The path is guided left by a light paling fence then by kissing-gates along the tree-shaded shores of Buttermere. Frequently you get wonderful glimpses across this exquisite lake to the great mountain wall of High Stile, High Crag and Haystacks. Pass a storm-flattened larch that persists in throwing up vertical branches. The path comes down more to the shore via a hand-gate then proceeds through a 30m-long tunnel, watch your head in the semi-darkness and be wary of fellow walkers’ pets. The path comes by further gates and along the open shore with memorable views towards craggy Haystacks and the conical Fleetwith Pike. Gaining the higher banks the path eventually gives out onto the road, follow this from the head of the lake to Gatesgarth - the original meaning of the farm-name was ‘the goat’s enclosure’. STAGE 6 3 miles 2¼ hours Gatesgarth Farm > Honister Pass The steep wild upper section of the road in Gatesgarthdale, running dramatically up under Honister Crag, has no verge. Therefore, StagePath walkers are obliged either to travel on the bus to the top of the pass, or undertake the mountain trail created by slate quarry workers up Warnscale Head. In its entirety this is a stone trail, quite the most energetic section of the 77 StagePath. You do not have to walk it, but if you do the scenic rewards far outweigh the rigours, but choose a good weather day.

18 The large car park is frequently the location of an ice-cream van in summer. Follow the road south-east Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere from the car park leaving the shelter of trees at the cottage to veer right with the bridle-track. The open track leads south into the great Haystacks from the head of Buttermere mountain hollow Gatesgarth of Warnscale 18 Bottom, an amphitheatre rimmed by mighty crags, the shadowed 21 stacks of Haystacks 19 dominant. Ignore the 20 Honister right-hand fork to a Pass footbridge, keep on the main trail.

Low Raven Crag and Fleetwith Pike from Gatesgarth Haystacks from the bridlepath entering Warnscale Bottom

Slate-workers track rising to Warnscale Head

Two walkers on the slate-quarry trail above Warnscale, looking to Buttermere Slate-quarry track above Warnscale Beck

Pitched path leading to Dubs Quarry

Slate-quarry track from high on Green Crag, backed by Fleetwith Pike

19 Reaching the remains of a sheepfold the path pitches up left. The old slate quarryman’s trail follows a sickle-shaped course under the high flanks of Fleetwith Pike and coming above the upper ravine has retaining walls. The stony way winds steadily up latterly coming through heather to reach the derelict Dubs Quarry. Haystacks from Dubs Quarry

Incline trail leading to Drum House

Remains of Drum House on the brow

Incline path from Dubs Quarry STAGE 7 2 miles 1 hour Honister Pass > Seatoller The grand entry into Borrowdale, following the old toll road, a green ribbon.

21 Proceed from the top 22 of the pass to the left of the 21 shop entrance to the Seatoller Honister Mine pass under Honister the youth hostel building Pass and along a track that leads east out of the mine enclosure, duly to join the unenclosed motor road. Follow the verge until an obvious section of the old toll road veers off as an open track. Continue down in harmony with the modern highway, briefly again following the modern road before veering left again in the hollow of Little Gatesgarthdale. The old road green track gives excellent walking passing down by a succession of three Honister Mine and workshops on Honister Pass kissing-gate/gates before curving right with a from a cutting in the old incline handsome view of upper Borrowdale to finally re-join the modern road at a gate precisely at the entry into 20 Continue almost due east with the old incline, now the hamlet of Seatoller. Walk down the street between a pedestrian way, this leads directly up to the site of the the Honister Mine-run visitor centre and The Yew Tree old Drum House winding gear on the high saddle or brow (pub/tea-room) to reach the bus stop at the entrance of the fell. The path now pitches straight on downhill, the to The National Trust car park (and public toilets) final section a modified pitched path joins the quarry track leading on through the car park connected with the Honister Mine workshops and visitor centre to the The old toll road leading down to Seatoller summit of the road and the bus stop.

Honister Mine, Pass and Crag from Seatoller Common You may have noted, shortly after the first gate during the descent of the old toll road, a bridleway is waymarked left, this STAGE 8 3¼ miles 1½ hours indicates the course of an excellent higher-level terrace route that Seatoller > Grange-in-Borrowdale leads north behind to Grange-in-Borrowdale A peerless scenic stroll, accompanying the River Derwent (5.6km/3½ miles) overall this is two miles shorter than the through the picturesque Jaws of Borrowdale.. primary valley route via Seatoller.

Rosthwaite Cam from the old toll road above Seatoller 22 From the bus Grange-in-Borrowdale stop walk through The 26 National Trust car park, to where a short lane leads to a gate/stile. Cross and keep to the footpath leading right, 25 this switches sides of a wall via a hand-gate, behind the 24 Glaramara outdoor centre, continuing in mature woodland. After slipping through a low wall gap the path leads on to a Rosthwaite kissing-gate, now with a wall close right once more at the edge 23 of mature woodland, 22 latterly fenced to the right. Passing a low outcrop go Seatoller through a hand-gate to come to the banks of the River Derwent. A potentially awkward grooved rock traverse is made oh-so simple by the novel fixed chain handrail! From the path enjoy lovely views of the Derwent’s crystal clear waters, en route to pass through the grounds of Longthwaite (Borrowdale) Youth Hostel, following the access drive to the bridge - but do not cross.

Walking towards the Derwent under Johnny’s Wood Unique chain path rail beside the Derwent approaching Longthwaite

New Bridge spanning the crystal waters of the Derwent

Path in Johnny’s Wood below Seatoller Path leading into the Jaws of Borrowdale 23 Keep on the path running downstream via the sequence of hand-gates, stiles and a footbridge to pass by the cobbled New Bridge. Continue downstream via a gate/stile to follow the open track beside the boulder- filled river. The track veers slightly away from the river, then comes through a kissing-gate/gate into High Hows Wood, the natural start of the exquisitely beautiful Jaws of Borrowdale. The path bears away from the river and comes by the lower portions of the Castle Crag slate quarries - the rock-arch a noticeable feature of the lowest quarry. After passing through a wall-gap come by slate spoil to a fork in the path. 24 You can climb left to access a higher portions of this quarry, where there is a cave. This large cavern was once the home of a unique character, Millican Dalton, self-styled ‘Professor of Adventure’, he called this twin- level residence The Cave Hotel. Dalton died in 1947 at the age of 79 ‘after a life at one with nature’.

Pitched path beside the Derwent in Low How Wood

Rosthwaite Cam from the vicinity of the Glaramara Outdoor Centre STAGE 9 5½ miles 2¾ hours Grange-in-Borrowdale > Keswick Quite the grand finale, either along the fellside of Catbells or the wooded shores of Derwent Water and meadows into Keswick.

26 Walk along the road 32 leading west and then north 31 out of Grange – in common Portinscale with the Honister Rambler Keswick bus service. Pass by Borrowdale Gates Hotel and where Ellers Gill is crossed, go through a hand-gate/gate on the right with footpath sign ‘Lodore’. At this point there is a choice of routes. Verdent sweep of the Derwent in the Jaws of Borrowdale 30 27 The primary low-level route follows the inviting track through The valley path slips through a nick in the bedrock, the field via a mid-point wandering on through the wood via a wall-gap, descending footbridge. Beyond a kissing-gate a short flight of steps to draw closer to the river. The join the popular lake-head path setting is exceptionally beautiful, a place to linger to soak short of Great Bay, the trail 29 up the magical mosaic of trees, rocks and river. The constructed to encourage the river-name Derwent meant ‘the oak-lined river’ and here widest diversity of users. the native trees are seen in abundance as nature ordained. 28 Turn left, with two 25 The path leads on by a hand-gate to the attractive serpentine recycled plastic board- 28 broad sweeping bend, after crossing a small footbridge in walks spanning marshy ground, lower Dalt Wood, the route passes a barrier to join a advance to a gate into woodland. 27 track, with the camping field wall close right. Meeting the Pass the sheltered Abbot’s Bay metalled road to Hollow Farm, bear right to enter Grange- to reach a metalled road 26 in-Borrowdale. To the right the bus stop is immediately at opposite The Warren. hand by one of two village tea-rooms – with the public Grange-in-Borrowdale toilets at the bend beyond.

Castle Crag from Grange-in-Borrowdale Family walkers on the by-road to Manesty Keswick Launch speeding on from High Brandelhow Jetty, backed by

Turn right via a hand-gate and pass a cottage to swing round a bay: the bare ground is the spoil from lead mines on Catbells which ceased working in the 1890s. After a further gate the shore path comes by High Brandelhow Jetty (a tempting opportunity to reach Keswick by the launch). 29 The path marches along the attractive shore of Brandelhow Park to come by Victoria Bay and the wooden open hand sculpture ‘Entrust’ installed in 2002 to commemorate the centenary of this the very first land acquired by The National Trust - 108 acres of native woodland. After the next hand-gate pass Low Brandelhow Jetty and continue left with the popular trail via a hand-gate to reach Hawse End Jetty. Veer left via a hand-gate to encounter a metalled road 30 , where the alternative route re-connects.

Disembarking from the Keswick Launch at High Brandelhow Jetty

Serpentine path by Great Bay looking to Glaramara King’s How from the path above Brackenburn Derwent Water from the Sir Hugh Walpole memorial seat

Higher Alternative Route (27) From the Lodore path hand-gate onto the road at a hair-pin in the woodland. gate continue north along the road passing Manesty Veer right down by the wall to reach the road, meeting up House, take the bridleway signed off the road left, with a with the primary lower route rising from Hawse End Jetty. large boulder in its midst. It leads to and through a gate 30 Bear left through the hand-gate. Follow a fenced and up by a short pitched section, where the path forks go corridor path with kissing-gates which leads on through right coming alongside a wall above woodland. Just after an open pasture to resume woodland intimacy. Come by the wall ends pass a seat and plaque set on a rock to Sir the entrance to Lingholm, in her youth Beatrix Potter Hugh Walpole, author of ‘Rogue Herries’ and other spent nine summer holidays at this stately home and one popular novels, Walpole had lived at Brackenburn, the big at neighbouring Fawe Park, during which time she became house set below the path at this point. The path leads on friendly with Canon Rawnsley, vicar of Crosthwaite with marvellous views over Derwent Water, briefly join the Church in Keswick and co-founder of The National Trust. road at a small quarry, but at once the path resumes, At the fork in the path, keep right, signed ‘Footpath to rising gently up and along the open slopes of Catbells to Keswick’, the path leads down to Nichol End Marina eventually come back down onto the road. At the (tea-room). Follow the access lane left to meet the road, left-hand bend keep to the right verge path down by a follow the pavement right into Portinscale (tea-room).

Looking to from the path above Brackenburn Bridle-path running along the eastern flanks of Catbells When walking the 77/77A StagePath put the bus to the back of your mind until you have completed your stage or stages. The day-time frequency of the service is such that you can be certain that, in time, a bus will roll up and gently and scenically speed you on your way. This StagePath is not a formally designated route. It has no special waymarks. The onus is on the individual walker either to follow the suggested route, or to choose options of their own. Be safe and show respect for others and the landscape through which you walk. Take pleasure from your time walking – whatever the weather there is always something unique to see, hear, sense and enjoy. Have fun.

Latrigg and Blencathra from the path below Skelgill Bank

31 After the tea-room bear tight at the left-hand bend, passing the Derwentwater Hotel to cross the suspension bridge over the River Derwent. Follow the road to bear right into the fenced footpath which traverses the meadow via kissing-gates to come back in harmony with the river in a lane leading left to the main road. 32 Turn right crossing Greta Bridge in Keswick, at the mini-roundabout go right along Tithebarn Street to reach Booths supermarket and the bus terminal.

Walkers heading through The Park bound for Portinscale, with Skelgill Bank rising behind

Dog-rose in a hedgerow beside a Lorton Vale haymeadow (Stage 4)

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