North West 02 Smardale Fell, Ramblers Cumbria Routes DISTANCE 12KM/7½MILES ASCENT 331M/1,086FT TIME 4 HOURS TYPE FELL AND VALLEY To download this route NAVIGATION FITNESS PERFECT NUMBER and hundreds of others, visit LEVEL LEVEL FOR OF STILES ramblers.org.uk/routes EASY LEISURELY VIEWS 10 From picture-perfect Ravenstonedale, 3 Turn R along the tarred at the head of the Lune Valley, strike out lane (not the drive), bend R, then fork R to pass for the hidden wonder of Smardale Smardale Hall – a fortifi ed SMARDALE Gill, a glorious wooded gorge in the tower house. Beyond Kendal 3 limestone fells recently added to the the S&C bridge, join the bridleway for Brownber Yorkshire Dales National Park. beside the furthest cottage. Airy upland tracks loop back Bend R, then L, rising over Smardale Fell, with away from trees to use Plan your walk a skyline fence gate. A wall marvellous views to the is soon joined on your R. WHERE Circular walk from Howgills beyond Take the corner gate, then Ravenstonedale, Cumbria. ROUTE BY advance wall-side 750m to a START/END Layby near the NEIL COATES 4 fi ngerposted bridleway junction King’s Head (NY721043). at a distinct wall kink. TERRAIN Lanes, tracks, paths, old railway and fell roads; START Join Bear L (for A685), directly 1 4 muddy in places. Don’t attempt unsigned Mill away from the wall, on in mist or heavy snow. Street (look for a developing track due south 2 MAPS OS Explorer OL19; a red postbox), through heather towards the low Landranger 91. almost opposite point of the horizon. Pass through GETTING THERE Occasional the King’s Head. a gate after 850m and drift a buses (not year round) to Pass under the touch R over Smardale Fell. After Ravenstonedale from Kirkby high bridge, a further 800m, you’ll reach Stephen and Sedbergh. Railway then slip R a sharp corner gate. Head L station at Kirkby Stephen onto the through this to an aerial by (Traveline: 0871 200 2233, near bank. 5 the main road. traveline.info). Follow the 1 START & FINISH EATING & DRINKING The Black waymarked 5 Cross carefully and turn Swan (015396 23204, black path uphill, soon slipping R swanhotel.com) or King’s Head downstream onto a tarred strip rising to a (015396 23050, kings-head. beside Scandal Beck. fi ngerposted stile. Walk the fi eld com), both Ravenstonedale. Shortly afterwards, edge for 70m, then drop R to an SLEEPING The Black Swan or turn down the track to the o set corner, putting the irregular King’s Head, as before; Tranna stone hut beyond the gate wall on your R. Remain beside this Hill B&B, Newbiggin-on-Lune and look L for a handgate. Turn R for 600m, ignoring several gates, (015396 23227, trannahill.co.uk). along the higher track for 150m, then before reaching a multi-directional VISITOR INFORMATION Upper drift R to a plank bridge/handgate. near end of the overbridge (stile) waymark post at the corner. Turn Eden Visitor Centre, Kirkby Scale the grassy slope half-L, then to the trackbed and pass under the sharp R into the gated walled track Stephen (017683 71199, aim for the R side of the hilltop bridge. The linear national nature to reach nearby Ash Fell Farm. visituppereden.org.uk). fi rs ahead. From the woodside reserve here is home to red squirrels, Bear R along the access lane, then GUIDEBOOK The Lune Valley stile, advance 400m, seeking surviving in the woodlands cloaking R onto Bleafl att Lane to return to and Howgills: A Walking Guide the indistinct small handgate Smardale Gill. Stride past limekilns Ravenstonedale. Keep L at the school by Dennis & Jan Kelsall (£12.95, (fi ngerposted) in the cross wall. Turn and over a curving viaduct, remaining for the King’s Head. Cicerone, ISBN 978 1852846688). R to Smardale packhorse bridge. with this elevated woodland walk for LOCAL RAMBLERS GROUP 3km. Eventually pass beneath the Create your own route Penrith Ramblers Turn L this end up beside a Settle-Carlisle (S&C) railway line. Register an account at 2 ramblers.org.uk/createroutes (01768 897159, fence, easing R to skirt an old Presently, you’ll reach the reserve car railway cutting on L. Drop from the park at Smardale hamlet. ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING © CROWN COPYRIGHT, CREATED WITH MEMORY-MAP. MEDIA LICENCE 037/16. PHOTO: ALAMY PHOTO: MEDIA LICENCE 037/16. WITH MEMORY-MAP. CREATED COPYRIGHT, MAPPING © CROWN ORDNANCE SURVEY ramblers.org.uk/penrith). 15% DISCOUNT* FOR RAMBLERS MEMBERS Perfect gifts for COTSWOLDOUTDOOR.COM Passionate Pathfinders *T&Cs apply Walk53_43_02_RR_North_West_Cumbra.indd 43 11/11/2016 16:07.