Saturday 17th July

Leader Clive Horsford

Photos taken by John Jones, Matthew Scott and Clive Horsford

A wonderful walk full of interest, varied terrain, and excellent views on a hot clear day.

The walk started from near Newbiggin-on-Lune and after ¼ mile joined the Smardale Nature Trail which follows the old railway line that linked Tebay to Darlington and beyond. The line was used to bring coke from mines in the north east to Barrow where there was an extensive steel works and was closed in the early sixties.

After a mile and a half the line passes an ancient enclosure, known as Severals, thought to be a Romano-British settlement. The walk, in warm sunny conditions, continued along the flower-bedecked track with extensive views down to Smardale Bridge and further along passed two impressive lime kilns. Soon the path led over the Smardale viaduct and followed the Scandal valley to the end of the Nature Trail. Back Lane was used to reach the village of Crosby Garrett and from its northern end a track led over the Settle-Carlisle railway to a field where lunch was consumed in the shade of a large tree.

Duly refreshed, the group followed the wall-enclosed path known as Ladle Lane to its end where the open fell was reached. Shortly after, a brief stop was made to enjoy the extensive view ranging from Wild Boar Fell in the South, along the Pennine ridge to Cross Fell and then to Blencathra and the Lakeland hills in the West. Now an easy grassy track led to Bents Farm from where Brownber was reached and tracks followed to the start.