Meet time: 09:45am
Start time: 10:00am
Start point: layby next to the King’s Head Hotel in Ravenstonedale CA17 4NH
(Estimated finish time 15:00)
Grading: Moderate
Car parking: layby next to the King’s Head Hotel in Ravenstonedale CA17 4NH (free)
Description: This walk is a chance to explore part of the Westmorland Dales, latest addition to the Yorkshire Dales. We start at the northern edge of the village and take care crossing the busy A685. We will follow the FP sign marked ‘Smardale’. We head across fields to reach Scandal Beck and the Packhorse Bridge. This is where we get our first glimpse of the Grade II listed Smardale Viaduct.
At the Packhorse bridge we join Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast. We head up the bridle way signposted Kirkby Stephen. When we reach the top of the track we bear left and walk alongside the wall. Great views of the Howgills and the Pennine range. At the next fork, we head left towards Smardale. We pass under the Settle-Carlisle railway bridge and walk through the hamlet of Smardale. We will also pass the turrets of Smardale Hall fortified manor house (it dates from the 14th century and is Grade I listed). At the road junction we turn left, and then left again to reach the start of the Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve, a path along a disused railway.
We then reach the award winning restored Smardale Viaduct. The viaduct itself is currently closed so we will take the permissive footpath to the left of the viaduct. This leads to Smardale bridge. We cross over the bridge and just after the bridge, we take the path to the right signposted Coast to Coast which leads back to the old railway line. We follow the old railway line all the way to Newbiggin-on-Lune, where we take care crossing the busy A685. We walk through Newbiggin-on-Lune and take the second footpath on our right. Walking across fields, we take the path to Low Greenside and then join the quiet road back to Ravenstonedale.
Distance: Approx 8.5 miles / 13.3 km
Ascent: Approx 450m
Time: 5 hours
Please contact Nathalie on 07518 479 409 by 10pm on Friday 30 July if you are coming on this walk (text or phone only). This walk is suitable for dogs but please make sure you keep your dog under control.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions
We strongly advise walkers to carry hand sanitiser and to touch as little as possible during the walk. We will walk 2m apart as much as possible. We will not be able to share any equipment, drinks or food. Please carry a mask in your bag in case it is needed. If we need to go through a gate, the walk leader will take responsibility for opening and closing the gate to save multiple people touching it. Car sharing is now possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange. New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.