555 StagePath the family way to walk - thedms

555 StagePath
the family way to walk
Ride & Stride with
the Lakeland
Pathfinder bus

555 StagePath the family way to walk
Ride & Stride with the Lakeland Pathfinder bus
INTRODUCING the first walking route dedicated to a
Lakeland bus service. Eight walk stages link the
regular bus stops for the 555 Stagecoach bus between
Windermere and Keswick.
This is perhaps the most popular bus journey in
England and certainly one of the most scenic. Now you
can use the bus to enjoy both the picturesque scenery and
an inspirational health-giving walk. The walking route
includes such iconic and exquisite locations as Orrest
Head, Brockhole, Rydal Water, Grasmere, Dunmail Raise,
Thirlmere and Castlerigg Stone Circle – pure magic every
step of the way, to enjoy with family and friends at any
season of the year.
The two-way route description in this booklet gives
you the flexibility and freedom to walk either north or
south from each bus stop. The whole walk tracks the bus
largely at valley level, gaining only modest height above
the road to take advantage of viewpoints. The gradients
are easy and the paths firm and well-marked.
Although it’s not ‘proper fell-walking’ it would
nonetheless be wise to carry a light daypack with a snack
and drink, and wear comfy boots. Some measure of
weather protective clothing will come to your rescue if the
elements – wind, rain or intense sun – threaten to spoil
your ‘off-bus adventure’.
Taking the bus is relaxing – if you sit upstairs the views
get even better – and if you walk one stage at a time you
can have fun building up the stages to complete the
whole romantic 26-mile journey both on foot and by bus.
The walk can also be studied in greater detail online
by visiting www.markrichards.info and clicking on ‘Ride &
Stride StagePaths’.
Window-gazers can also reflect on the walk and
mountain scenery with the aid of the 555’s unique
guide to the ride leaflet ‘From A to B to SEE’.
555 StagePath
STAGE 1 Windermere | Brockhole 4 1 ⁄2 miles 3 hours
STAGE 2 Brockhole | Ambleside 3 miles 2 hours
STAGE 3 Ambleside | Rydal 1 1 ⁄2 miles 1 hour
STAGE 4 Rydal | Grasmere 2 miles 1 1 ⁄4 hours
STAGE 5 Grasmere | Wythburn 4 3 ⁄4 miles 3 hours
STAGE 6 Wythburn | Thirlspot 3 1 ⁄4 miles 2 hours
STAGE 7 Thirlspot | Dale Bottom 4 miles 2 hours
STAGE 8 Dale Bottom | Keswick 3 1 ⁄4 miles 2 hours
ALWAYS Check the timetable - usually displayed at
each bus stop - to confirm bus times for the beginning
and the end of each walk stage.
You can also phone TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33
Or visit www.stagecoachbus.com for advance planning.
The StagePath in the booklet has been carefully
researched and described for clarity of route finding.
The maps on the other hand are very basic. There is
no substitute for carrying and referring to the correct
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map. Make sure you get
hold of OL7, OL5 and OL4 and/or the handy Harvey
Lake District Outdoor Atlas before you start.
Map Key
Line - Journey of the 555 bus service
Dashes - The route of the StagePath
Dots - Request and Timetabled bus stops

STAGE 1 NORTHBOUND
A leisurely three hours up hill, down dale
Windermere Station >
Brockhole National Park Centre
An inspiring start to your StagePath adventure climbing to the
top of Orrest Head to survey the great lake with its inspiring
backdrop of Lakeland Fells. A thrilling moment enjoyed by
early tourists from well before the arrival of the railway, there
could be no better stagesetter.
Leave Windermere from the Railway Station bus stop.
Walk past Booths Supermarket (go under the canopy) to
reach the road junction with the Gateway Tourist
Information Centre to your left. Turn right, carefully cross
the main A591 via the traffic island, overlooked by The
Windermere Hotel. Turn left along the footpath, after 50m
spot the ‘Footpath to Orrest Head’ notice on your right.
Follow its pointing hand and ascend the metalled lane.
Ignore the path fork and continue to follow the yellow
‘Windermere Way’ waymark and ‘Orrest Head Viewpoint’
white arrow. The road winds uphill passing the entrance to
Orrest How to enter woodland. Stay on the road. Pass a
cottage selling refreshments and hand-crafted ironwork.
The road becomes a track after a yew tree before the
woodland. At the edge of the woodland turn right at the
wall. Here the path becomes confined leading to a metal
kissing-gate (with Heywood memorial stone) and you
enter the Orrest Head Viewpoint enclosure.
Ascend the rough steps to the bare rock summit, with
seats facing in various directions to suit the appreciative
audience. Sadly the topograph – for all the legendary view
– is devoid of legend! The plinth points north-west over
the head of Lake Windermere to the stirring heights
above Great Langdale. The panorama is amazing. Linger
awhile, regain your breath and restore your belief in our
wonderful world. Note the
vertically-tilted and cracked bare
rock beneath your feet
indicating the effects
of glacial smoothing.
The place-name
‘Orrest’ is a very rare
instance of the Norse
orrusta ‘battle’, meaning
a meeting of armies.
Brockhole
Troutbeck
Bridge
Head north, straight on over
the top, and, taking the left-hand
fork, descend to a kissing-gate and
wall-stile in the enclosure corner. Cross
the wall-stile signed ‘Causeway’ and
go gently downhill, keeping the wall
Orrest
Head
Windermere Station

Windermere from Orrest Head
left. Cross a stone flag over a gill to arrive at a wall-stile
onto the road. This was the original Roman way from
Medibogdum (Watercrook Roman Fort, near Kendal) and
Galava (the Roman fort at Ambleside). Turn right, take the
road to Near Orrest – was this the battleground referred to
in the name ‘Orrest’ ie near the battleground? Traversing
the high wall-stile on the left signed ‘Far Orrest’, pass the
large bank-barn and after the kissing-gate cross the next
paddock to a further kissing-gate, and continue via a small
open copse to a wall-stile. Traverse the damp pasture to a
wall-stile, advancing with the wall now to the right, cross a
ladder-stile then step over a wall-side gill. Traverse the field
half-right, cross a second ladder-stile and follow the
left-hand wall to a kissing-gate/gate close to Far Orrest.
Turn right to a second kissing-gate/gate. Turn left and
pass on behind the farmhouse to a third kissing-gate
entering a walled green lane. Stay in the green lane to the
kissing-gate beside a field-gate. Do not go through the
obvious gate opposite. Keep the wall close left. Glance
over the wall for a fine view towards the head of
Windermere; they are hidden from view but you are
directly above ‘Holehird’, the Lakeland Horticultural
Society’s beautiful gardens, maintained by volunteers
and open to the public. Go through a new field-gate and
follow the open track across the field ahead, descending
to a galvanised gate onto the road. Turn left and follow
the road downhill passing the entrance to Low Longmire,
Fusethwaite Yeat (which is Viking for ‘cow-house clearing,
gate’) and lower down, ironically, High Longmire.
Cross over the junction at the foot of the hill, turn right
along the path to a bus stop (The Kirkstone Rambler 517
summer bus service) and kissing-gate. Descend the green
track into the valley bottom to a hand-gate and cross two
foot-bridges over Trout Beck – for one brief moment you
are on an island! Ascend the sunken path to the western
end of Troutbeck village. Some 400m right is ‘Townend’,
a beautiful vernacular yeoman farmhouse (National
Trust). Ascend the facing brick-cobbled drive beside
Townfoot. As it rises through a gate it becomes a confined
bridle-path to the road. Turn left and, as the road swings
right, go straight on down the bridle-way, Wain Lane. This
rough-tracked way passes several handsome old barns,
narrowing as it goes to pass the well-screened Middlerigg
Tarn. Cross the main road carefully and follow the
cycle/footway to the north-bound bus stop at Brockhole
(meaning ‘the badgers’ set’).

STAGE 1
SOUTHBOUND
Brockhole National Park Centre >
Windermere Station
Ascending by old lanes to catch a brief glance of Troutbeck, one
of Lakeland’s most authentic vernacular villages. The route
then crosses Trout Beck itself, before climbing again to venture
through quiet pastures and to stand on top of Orrest Head, the
acknowledged classic Lakeland viewpoint. Here you can survey
not just the greatest girth of Windermere but also the distant
mountain heart of Lakeland – a sight to gladden the heart and
feast the eyes.
Carefully cross the road and walk left along the
cycle/footpath some 170m. Cross back over the busy
road with the utmost care. Enter Wain Lane with its blue
bridle-way sign (and discouragement to motorcycles).
This walled lane leads via a barn, over a stone flag bridge
to pass Middlerigg Tarn, gaps in the wall permitting
glimpses of the shy waters and resident swans. The lane
rises by several handsome old stone field barns before
emerging onto a minor road. Go forward find a
bridleway signed right as the ‘Windermere Way’. Descend
the confined path via a gate and down the cobbled
drive by Townfoot, a well-tended traditional farmhouse.
The village of Troutbeck is a string development of
traditional barns (many converted) and yeoman’s houses
lining the road for a good mile to the north. Sadly all the
Townend pix to come . . .
Westmorland bank-barn in Wain Lane
places of refreshment lie at the furthest end – two pubs
and a village shop tea room. Cross straight over and
down the sunken path to reach Trout Beck, a lovely spot
to linger with two footbridges linking across an island.
Go through the hand-gate and ascend the green way to a
kissing-gate beside a bus stop (The Kirkstone Rambler
service 517, summer only).
Go right with the footway to the road junction. Cross
and walk up this road (no verges so watch for traffic). Pass
up by Fusethwaite Yeat, and directly after the entrance to
Low Longmire find a signposted footpath ‘Far Orrest’ on
the right. Go through the galvanised field-gate and follow
the open track to a gate. Continue with a wall to the right
and pass through a kissing-gate/field-gate into a walled
lane. Follow the lane to where a footpath crosses, go
though the left-hand kissing-gate and turn right. After 60m
arrive at a kissing-gate/gate on the right. After Far Orrest
farmhouse, go through the immediate kissing-gate ahead.
Advance with a wall on the right to cross the ladder-stile
and maintain your course to a second ladder-stile, this
time with a tiny gill in front. Continue to the wall-stile in
the next corner and cross a damp pasture to a wall-stile
into a small spinney leading through to a kissing-gate.
Advance right to Near Orrest, via a kissing-gate to the right
of a muddy farmyard entrance gate. Continue passing the
large bank-barn to cross a tall wall-stile onto the road.
Turn right for 200m to cross a wall-stile beside a
field-gate on the left, signed ‘Windermere Way’. Orrest
Head forms the horizon. Follow a green track and cross a
stone flag over a gill by the wall, keeping fairly close to the
right-hand wall rising up to a wall-stile in the field corner.

Entering the Orrest Head enclosure follow the green path
flanked by bushes and bracken to the summit. Wow –
what a wonderful all-round panorama! The topograph
plinth points north-west over the head of Windermere
into the heart of mountain Lakeland. Cross straight over
the bare rock top descending the flight of steps to
the kissing-gate and follow the path right. Entering
a woodland watch for a left turn immediately before
the path steepens. This leads onto a track that smartly
becomes a metalled road. Passing a cottage descend the
winding road to the main road. Go left along the footway
50m and cross the busy road via the pedestrian refuge.
Bear left into the railway station car park by Booths
supermarket to catch your bus.
The second footbridge of the two-part crossing of Trout Beck
STAGE 2 NORTHBOUND
Allow two hours, gently undulating
Brockhole National Park Centre >
Ambleside
Another steady climb rewarded with memorable views over the
upper reaches of Windermere visiting Jenkin Crag in Skelghyll
Wood, which provides a wonderfully intimate view of the
backdrop of the lake, the beginnings of mountain Lakeland.
Ambleside
From the southbound bus stop follow Mirk
Lane as directed on the bus stop post. This
private metalled road leads past Merewood Lodge
(holiday lets). As the road ends after Merewood
Cottages bear up the narrow path flanked by an
old wall, climbing as a rough lane between
Newclose Wood and pasture. Stay
on the lane leading down to a
gate and cross the flagstones
over a stream and beside the
garden walls of Wood Farm.
Stepping onto a roadway
turn left, signed ‘To
Troutbeck & Holbeck
Lane’. Respect the privacy of
Brockhole
the large residence. Keep ahead,
off the road and up the winding
lane via a gate, still with woodland left and pasture right.
Leaving the woodland at a stile/gate the walled track,
hereon known as Grand Ma’s Lane, rises to Castle Syke
Farm, with the barn conversion farmhouse right and
bank-barn left.
At the road turn left, following Holbeck Lane (minor
road) with handsome views over Windermere. After
Jenkin Crag, the perfect place for a family picnic

STAGE 2
SOUTHBOUND
Get away from the crowds and lakeshore traffic to survey
Windermere and the grand backdrop of mountain Lakeland
from on high. The route having climbed to Jenkin Crag and
High Skelghyll progressively descends by a series of lovely lanes
to Brockhole, where you may fill your mind with the wonders of
Lakeland for another day.
Ambleside > Brockhole National
Park Centre
Family walking in Skelghyll Lane
220m bear off right along the private road signed ‘Skelgill
Farms and flats only’. Shortly after Close Cottage the
Langdale Pikes come into view ahead; further along are
grand westward views over Windermere’s Pullwood Bay,
backed by Black Fell and the Coniston Fells. From a gate
the unenclosed road leads on passed an isolated
bank-barn rising via a hand-gate/gate, going under Low
Skelghyll then up by a bank-barn and gate, winding to
cross Hol Beck kissing-gate/cattle grid.
The roadway passes a bridleway sign ‘Ambleside 1 1 ⁄4
miles’ then enters High Skelghyll farmyard, an active
working environment. Redouble your respect for the
occupant’s privacy, as the right of way runs close to the
farmhouse. Continuing via the gated sheep pens, contour
on the path to a gate into open woodland with a clear
view down to the Low Wood Hotel, and down the lake to
Gummers How and Claife Heights. The path descends
easily, levelling beside a low wall. The National Trust sign
by a gap gives access to Jenkin Crag, a rocky headland
and a ‘must-see’. It overlooks the upper reaches of
Windermere with Wray Castle and Blelham Tarn intimate
features in view across the placid lake, and westward to
the Coniston Fells. The track continues winding on the
old pitched way. Keep down left at a lateral path junction
and cross a culverted bridge over Stencher Beck. Duly the
track draws by a laurel hedge and wall into Skelghyll
Lane. The lane becomes a walled road descending to the
junction with Old Lakes Road. Turn right passing
between Heart of the Lakes/Organico and the Ambleside
Mountain Rescue Base at Fisherbeck. Continue on down
to the main Lake Road, cross and go right. Turn left
along Kelsick Road by the Homes of Football Gallery to
arrive at the glass-canopied bus stop.
Walk up Kelsick Road, turn right by the Homes of
Football gallery, bear left at the road sign ‘Old Lakes
Road’. This side road rises and descends by Ambleside
Backpackers and the Heart of the Lakes offices in
Fisherbeck. Notice the Norwegian cabin across the
public car park on the far side of the main road. This was
originally located in Coniston and was used as W Heaton
Cooper’s studio (see his distinctive watercolours in the
Grasmere studio shop). Pass on behind the Mountain
Rescue base and look for Skelghyll Lane, the branch road
rising left at a white-washed house. The speed limit
sign is signed ‘Jenkin’s Crag, Skelghyll and Troutbeck
bridleway’.
Climb steadily, keeping right at the bridleway sign
‘Jenkin’s Crag and Skelghyll Woods’. Enjoy the handsome
views over Ambleside Waterhead and the upper portion
of Windermere. The metalled road becomes a rough lane
entering Skelghyll Woods (National Trust). Keep rising by
Family walking in Skelghyll Lane

STAGE 3 NORTHBOUND
Walking time, barely half-an-hour
Ambleside > Rydal
A gentle wander through Rydal Park with the bonus of Rydal
Hall’s lovely Old School Room Tea Shop and Rydal Mount,
Wordsworth’s final home.
Windermere from Jenkin Crag
the wall, later a laurel hedge, then by a low level metal
sign at a path fork. The roughly cobbled path rises,
crosses Stencher Beck and comes level with a wall on the
right. Take the opportunity to slip through the signed gap
to visit the Jenkin Crag rock ledge viewpoint and revel in
the gorgeous prospect over Windermere. Return via the
gap onto the broad path and go right, signed ‘Troutbeck
via Robin Lane’. The path rises a little further, passing a
seat to leave the woodland at a gate.
The contouring path enters High Skelghyll farm’s
gated farmyard. (Please respect the privacy of the people
living here, it is still an active farm.) The ensuing open
road leads past a three-way sign. Proceed along the
metalled road via the kissing-gate and cattle grid.
Descend by the barn and beneath Low Skelghyll via a
gate. Still on an open road descend the next pasture to a
further bank-barn, passing through a gate into a walled
lane. Follow this private road via Close Cottage and turn
left at Holbeck Lane, a public road. Continue to the
bridle-lane branching right at Castle Syke Farm. A sign
with naïve lettering indicates that this is ‘Grand Ma’s
Lane’. Follow the track down between the farmhouse and
large bank-barn via a gate into the edge of woodland,
hereon known as Mirk Lane – ‘the dark way’. Wind down
via a further gate to the metalled roadway at Wood Farm,
a private residence with an ornate garden. Leave the road
at the green ‘Private no right of way’ notice and low set
public footpath sign to bear right by the garden wall.
Cross a gill via flagstones and pass through the gate.
Follow the lane beside the woodland leading down to the
roadway at Merewood Lodge and continue to the main
road at corresponding bus stops (with pedestrian
island).
Rydal
Walk through the car park, along King
Street and turn right up Church Street.
Notice a wall-plaque recording
The Office of William Wordsworth
as distributor of stamps for
Westmorland 1813–43, below
Greggs on the right. Turn left
along the main street rounding
by The Market Hall and the
Post Office-cum-Tourist Office,
Ambleside
offering plenty of retail diversion to lure you off the
straight and narrow. Wander on down the street passing
the tiny Bridge House (National Trust). (Built as an apple
store for Ambleside Hall it was set on the bridge to evade
land tax.) After the roundabout pass (or visit) the Armitt
Museum, then follow the left-hand roadside footpath
beyond the Medical Centre. Cross to the Lodge at the
gated entrance to the Rydal Hall drive just after the
30mph limit signs and the bridge over Scandale Beck.
Follow the fenced drive through parkland with handsome
views ahead to the ridge-end Nab Scar and the high fells
at the head of Rydal Beck valley. Go through the
camping site car park, cross over cascading Rydal Beck,
via the Old School Room Tea Shop, behind Rydal Hall to
reach Rydal Lane. Turn down left by the entrance to the
lovely Rydal church, with its famous daffodil gardens.
The bus stop is at the foot of the hill.
Rydal Park

STAGE 3
Rydal > Ambleside
SOUTHBOUND
The ultimate stroll – giving you time to indulge in Rydal
Church, Dora’s Field, Rydal Mount and the tea shop, before
venturing through the gracious park and Ambleside, where
another pleasurable hour can be spent in the Armitt Museum
before availing yourself of the many retail and refreshment
outlets in this popular little Lakeland town.
Dora’s Field daffodils
after an Easter snowfall
Ascend Rydal Lane. For
an early diversion go
left through St Mary’s
churchyard for a simple
stroll around Dora’s
Field, abundant with
daffodils in spring. Higher
up the hill is Rydal
Mount, one of Cumbria’s
cultural treasures, dedicated
to the life of William
Wordsworth. The worldrenowned
poet lived his
final years here and was
responsible for laying out
the romantic gardens.
It remains in the care of
his descendants (entry
fee/café).
Ignore the first access to Rydal Hall and take the lane
above, clearly waymarked ‘footpath to Old School Room
Tea Shop’. What more inducement do you need? Pass
close behind the imposing Rydal Hall, which is now
Carlisle’s Diocesan ecumenical conference centre,
retreat, and youth centre.
Enjoy Rydal Beck’s dancing waters, tucked in beside the
tea room, before heading on along the track waymarked
‘footpath to Ambleside’ accessed via the camp site car
park. At a gate the footpath becomes a fenced lane
leading to a Hall Lodge and gate onto the main road
(request bus stop). Cautiously cross the main road, go left
along footpath, keeping left cross Scandale Beck to duly
enter Ambleside. Pass the Health Centre (request bus stop)
to reach the roundabout by the Armitt Museum, another
treasure well worth investigating. Pass Bridge House (The
National Trust’s smallest property) and follow the main
road lined with shops. Crossing Rattle Gill go up by the
Post Office/Tourist Information Centre, swinging down
right by The Market Hall. Turn right into Church Street by
Greggs bakery, noticing the wall plaque to William
Wordsworth immediately below. Coming to the former
Ambleside Conservative Club turn left along King Street to
reach the Kelsick Road bus stop.
STAGE 4 NORTHBOUND
Allow an hour for this easy undulating stroll
Rydal > Grasmere
Most of this stage runs comfortably above the road providing
romantic views over Rydal Water and the backing Loughrigg
Fell, delightfully distanced from the traffic at lakeside and
coming easily down by Tow Top and Dove Cottage to enter
Grasmere along Stock Lane.
Ascend Rydal Lane from the bus stop, passing the
entrances to Rydal Hall and The Mount. Climbing the
short concrete way turn immediately left along lane
above Rydal Mount, with the bridleway sign ‘Grasmere’.
Go through the gate and along the high walled lane,
briefly glimpsing Wordsworth’s romantic style
landscaped gardens over the left-hand wall. After a
second gate the lane opens with the path winding on
ahead, with lovely views through the trees to Rydal
Water. The undulating path is never in doubt and leads
to a gate at a wall corner. Contouring on through an
open gateway the path leads by two stone benches, the
backing stone of the first being the base of a coffin rest,
now somewhere for you to rest your legs too! After
another gate, the path now runs on close to a wall
leading via a hand-gate to a path junction below Brockle
Cottage. Continue on the track, then metalled road at
Dunnabeck leading by Skater’s Tarn at the junction with
the bridleway from White Moss (bus stop). Flanked by
trees and bracken the road leads via How Top with the
lovely view of Silver How ahead, across Grasmere lake.
Winding downhill the road passes by Dove Cottage and
Coffin rest on old Coffin Route

STAGE 4
Grasmere > Rydal
SOUTHBOUND
The easiest stage yet, and for many the most romantic. For all
the popularity of the Wordsworth story, there is a magic in the
air as you walk by Dove Cottage and embark on the far-frommorbid
Coffin Route. This bridle-path leads on well above the
busy road to give enchanting views over Rydal Water to
Loughrigg Fell to reach to Rydal Mount, an experience to be
enjoyed at any season.
the Wordsworth Trust’s contemporary visitor centre in
Grasmere Town End (tea rooms close by). Cautiously
cross the main road. From the roundabout turn into
Stock Lane. The footpath leads into Grasmere. Follow on
Grasmere
Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
White
Moss
round by the church and Sarah Nelson’s
Gingerbread Shop, branch right along
College Street to the crossroads by
Sam Read Bookseller. (The
northbound bus stop
is facing and the
Rydal
southbound to the left,
opposite the Heaton
Cooper Studio.)
Walkers soak up the view from How Top
From the crossroads by Sam Read’s book emporium,
walk south along College Street, passing Sarah Nelson’s
little shop, source of a much-loved gingerbread. William
and Dorothy Wordsworth’s grave can be seen in
St Oswald’s Churchyard. Continue along the footpath
beside Stock Lane leading to the main road roundabout.
Keep to the right and immediately cross the main road
into Town End, passing the Wordsworth Trust’s smart
contemporary visitor centre. The road leads via Dove
Cottage and ascends the hill to How Top. Keep left,
climbing with the road by Skater’s Tarn. Continue along
the level road, which becomes a gravel lane after
Dunnabeck then leads on to Brockle Cottage. After a
hand-gate the bridleway continues as a wall-side path,
effectively contouring along the hillside. Never in doubt,
the path leads through a gate to reveal two stone seats.
The block of stone at the back of the second was
originally the basis of a coffin rest. You might wish to rest
your bones here temporarily to enjoy the lovely view over
Rydal Water! The level path leads via a further gate,
rising by fallen trees to a gate into a lane. Glance over the
tall wall to glimpse Rydal Mount’s beautiful landscaped
Skater’s Tarn

STAGE 5 NORTHBOUND
Three hours of comparatively wilder country walking
Grasmere > Wythburn
Quiet back road to the entrance of Ghyll Foot. After the
entrance to Greenburn Dale you are almost fell-walking on the
climb over the shoulder of Steel Fell to reach the top of
Dunmail Raise. An easy descent via the cascading Birkside Gill
gains entry onto a fine forest track running on well above the
road with marvellous views over Thirlmere.
Wordsworth Trust Visitor Centre
garden just before passing through another gate.
Continue by the back wall of The Mount and bear right
down the concrete roadway beside the Rydal Mount car
park. This is a prime opportunity to visit this famous
house (café) and traditional ornate garden, or, to visit
the Old School House Tea Room, go left along the lane
behind Rydal Hall. Otherwise descend Rydal Lane
straight to the bus stops at the foot of the hill.
Helm Crag from Grasmere Townend
From Sam Read’s bookshop walk Wythburn
north along Easedale Road
Church
passing the entrance to Butharlyp
Howe Youth Hostel and
Glenthorne Quaker Guest House. Armboth
road-end
Slip through the hand-gate left,
follow the fenced footpath
adjacent to the roadside hedge
and emerge at a further hand-gate cross
Goody Bridge. Turn right at the next
road junction (brown sign Thorney How
YH 400yds). Follow this quiet byroad,
a real contrast with the A591 heading
north over Dunmail Raise across the
valley. Thankfully it makes little impact
here. Pass the active farmyard of
Underhelm and then descend towards
Low Mill Bridge. Go left immediately
prior to the bridge at the road junction,
advancing by Ghyllfoot cottages to where
a private drive meets the road.
Bear up this gravel track beside tree-screened
Helmside, then via two cattle grid hand-gates.
Pass by two cottages at Turn Howe (date plaque
1577) to reach the fell-gate, at this point
entering Greenburn Dale (National Trust
sign). Ignoring the inviting green track
Dunmail
Raise
Grasmere
leading into the wild dale beside the wall, veer right up the
grass path, the start of the south ridge of Steel Fell.
Family walking along the lane from Ghyllfoot

Helm Crag from Easedale Road
The StagePath has no such overarching ambition, but for
walkers with a head for heights the full ascent and summit
ridge traverse may be undertaken, crossing by Dead Pike and
descending the corresponding steep grassy north ridge to Steel End
Farm to reach the Armboth road-end bus stop.
StagePaths are tailored for country walkers not
mountain trekkers but nonetheless, it is necessary to
follow the path, beating back the bracken, up through
the fell enclosures to reach a kissing-gate/gate in the
intake wall. Climb on, only a matter of sixty strides, to a
pace or two short of a clump of rushes. Find a sheep path
branching right, through bracken; this comes alongside
the top of the intake wall and contours beyond where
this wall swings downhill. The sheep path duly eases
downhill and, coming close to an obvious pile of rocks,
veers downhill more purposefully over Cotra, a marshy
hollow, thankfully not too soft. Upon joining a green
tractor track, turn left after skirting glacial moraine, to
cross a minor ford. Bear down right along the minor
track to ford Raise Beck. Continue left with the wet track
to reach a gate in the fence, and thereby arrive beside the
roadside barrier. Turn right and carefully cross to the
lay-by (and request bus stops).
Nearby is the Achille Ratti Climbing Club hut, and a
rare 1950s AA call box (now a Grade II listed building).
But motorists have no need to feel stranded – there is
always the 555! Crossing the light fence-stile go left,
parallel to the road fence coming level with the ancient
Dunmail Raise cairn, traditionally associated with
Dunmail, the last king of Cumberland. Go through the
Wythburn Dale and Armboth road-end from the forest track
Helm Crag from Dunmail Raise
Family walking along the forest track above Wythburn Church

Birkside Gill from the Thirlmere forest track
hand-gate in the wall; bear half-right to cross the
footbridge over Raise Beck, re-aligned to boost water
catchment into Thirlmere. Turn left at the wall corner
with the permitted footpath sign; follow the clear path
running on north, parallel to and above the enclosure
wall. Continue up, under the small plantation, to cross
the two footbridges spanning the foot of Birkside Gill.
The gill is renown for its marvellous waterfalls. It is
tempting to detour up the fellside to have a look. Proceed
to the forestry track via a hand-gate. A left turn leads
down to the southbound bus stop at the Armboth
road-end. The northbound bus stop is reached by
following the forestry track ahead, with numerous
delightful elevated views over the upper reaches of
Thirlmere. The path from Wythburn Church crosses the
track at a gate. Descend left via the cobbled way entering
the car park behind the church by hand-gate. Follow the
access roadway left to the Grasmere-bound bus stop.
Family walking along the field-edge path beside Easedale Road
STAGE 5
SOUTHBOUND
Wythburn > Grasmere
From forest track to open fell with a smidgen of adventure in
climbing over the shoulder of Steel Fell. The stage concludes
along a quiet back road beneath Helm Crag. There are request
bus stops at the southern end of Dunmail Raise, enabling you
to break this stage in two.
From Wythburn Church (southbound bus): follow the
access roadway into the car park behind the church. Pass
through the kissing-gate and ascend the pitched path to
reach the forest track at a kissing-gate. Turn right along
the forest track to reach a big blue signboard. From the
Armboth road-end (northbound bus): carefully cross the
A592 and follow the facing forestry track rising south.
This curves left to reach the big blue signboard.
Turn right as directed for ‘Grasmere’. Go through the
kissing-gate, cross successive footbridges over the excited
waters of Birkside Gill. Above is a majestic sequence of
cascades, well worth a closer look. The path continues on
a gently rising line close to the intake wall with Helm Crag
visible over the road pass ahead. At the wall-end turn
right crossing the broad footbridge and observe the
beck’s unnatural structure: Raise Beck was redirected
when Thirlmere was constructed. Bear half-right to the
kissing-gate at the right-hand wall-end close to the road
and the massive Dunmail Raise cairn. Continue beside
the roadside fence crossing the original course of Raise
Beck, now a dry stony bed. Ignore the ladder stile,
advance to a light fence stile beside a gate and cross to
the large roadside lay-by, just short of the climbing club
hut and the historic AA kiosk, now a Grade ll listed
building (request bus stops either side of the road). Cross
the wide road to the barrier: be alert. Turn right to find a
short track leading left down to a gate in the fence.
Witnessing two 555 buses crossing Dunmail Raise

STAGE 6 NORTHBOUND
Allow two hours
Wythburn > Thirlspot
Thirlmere’s surroundings have been radically improved over the
last year with strategic tree felling restoring the intrinsic wild
mountain demeanour of the valley. Centre-stage, the formerly
sombre mere has become less the reservoir, more a Lakeland
lake. The StagePath leads on as forest track, forest trail and
firm fellside path.
Dunmail Raise from the intake wall leading
off the south ridge of Steel Fell
From the gate follow the green track leading left,
latterly following a stream and cross a ford in the
southerly-flowing Raise Beck. The track continues rising to
a track junction at a smaller ford. Follow the green track
left rising round glacial moraine onto a low ridge on
Cotra. Skirting a shallow marshy hollow bear off right
over undulating ground to ascend the bracken bank with
evidence of a sheep path. This climbs easily up the fellside
slanting leftwards. Contour above the intake wall, soon to
unite with a grass path on the south ridge of Steel Fell.
Turn left, descending through the kissing-gate/gate
passing down the ridge via gateways with Greenburn Dale
to the right and Helm Crag ahead. Note the ‘Lion and the
Lamb’ rocks prominent on the skyline. At the foot of the
ridge join the Green Burn valley track beside a wall, go
through the fell-gate (National Trust ‘Green Burn’ sign)
and descend the gravel lane from Turne Howe, the
white-washed cottage. Proceed via two hand-gates beside
cattle-grids adjacent to Helmside. At the road at the foot
of the slope, turn right and follow the valley road past
Ghyll Foot Cottages. Notice the pollarded willows in the
pasture to the right. Traditionally branches were cut not
only to create sheep hurdles (see fence) but also as a
source of minerals for sheep, extracted by chewing the
bark. At the next road junction, adjacent to Low Mill
Bridge, turn right gently rising by Helmside Farm then past
several cottages near Thorney How Youth Hostel to a road
junction. Turn left crossing Goody Bridge and go
immediately through the hand-gate, along the fenced
footpath beside the roadside hedge. At the far end a
hand-gate opens onto Easedale Road. Pass on by
Glenthorne, guest house, and the entrance to Butharlyp
Howe Youth Hostel to the crossroads in Grasmere
(northbound bus stop immediately left, southbound bus
stop right opposite the Heaton Cooper Studio).
From Armboth road-end
Thirlspot
(northbound bus): follow the
forest track leading south directly
opposite the bus stop. This links
up with the path from Dunmail The Swirls
Raise, with the blue signboard
directing to ‘Swirls’.
From Wythburn Church (southbound
bus): follow the access track-way leading
to the car park behind the church and
pass on via the hand-gate up the cobbled
bridle-path in the forest to meet the forest
track (see text above).
Turn left accompanying the newly
surfaced track, quickly crossing Comb and
Whelpside Gills to the double
footbridge crossings of Mines Gill
(Whelpside refers to the historic ‘high
breeding ground of wolves’). From the
ensuing kissing-gate the bridleway
becomes a cobbled forest path that
winds slowly through the tangle of
conifers. Ultimately the path comes
StagePath crossing Mines Gill
Wythburn
Church
Armboth
Road-end

down via a man-made rock step onto a forest track,
signed ‘Thirlmere, Swirls’. Head on north up this track,
duly descending into The Swirl car park via a kissing-gate
(request bus stops left). Go through the car park and
cross the footbridge signed ‘Helvellyn, Stanah, Sticks’.
Continue following the ‘Helvellyn’ sign to a kissing-gate
in a wall. Rising a few yards to a fork follow the ‘public
footpath Sticks Pass, Stanah’ sign. The man-made path
gently angles up the rough fellside, with retaining stones
giving a firm footing. Cross a small footbridge and come
alongside an intake wall. Where this dips down contour
on with the new path enjoying handsome views towards
the tree-shrouded Great How, and in the distance an
impressive view of Blencathra through St John’s in the
Vale. Coming to a wall encounter a path junction and
bear down left, signed ‘Thirlspot Farm’. The sloping
pitched path leads to a gate and then a gated crossing of
the Thirlmere leat, gathering the waters of a string of
streams north from Castle Rock that would otherwise
have missed the reservoir catchment. Head down to a
gate and gill, crossing left of the static caravans to pass
through the farmyard by gates. Bear right to a hand-gate
beside the farmhouse and continue along in front of the
King’s Head Hotel to reach the corresponding bus stops.
Free-running path along the fellside above
Thirlspot, looking north to Great How and
through St John’s in the Vale to Blencathra
STAGE 6
SOUTHBOUND
Thirlspot > Wythburn
Beginning as a fellside path entering the forest running along
the western flanks of Helvellyn to admire Thirlmere from an
elevated trail. Judicious tree felling has enhanced the reservoir’s
surroundings restoring its wild mountain heart, from both road
level and ‘on high’. As a further bonus this is a national
sanctuary for our native red squirrel. These delightful creatures
are actively protected from the unwelcome advances of the
American grey squirrel, carriers of the squirrel parapoxvirus
that destroys populations of reds.
From the bus stops immediately north of the Thirlspot
walk back to The King’s Head Hotel and pass the entrance
to a hand-gate with a bridleway sign. Enter the gated lane
leading through Thirlspot Farm. Cross the gated gill
beside a trio of static caravans and ascend the pasture to
a gated crossing of the Thirlmere Leat, carrying water
seemingly up-dale to join Helvellyn Gill and thus enter the
reservoir. Continue up to a gate in the intake wall, joining
a pitched path climbing to a path junction at the top of
the adjacent rising wall. Turn right, signed ‘Swirls Car
Park’, to follow the stone-edged contouring path, which
then comes alongside an intake wall with consistently
handsome views, particularly north towards Skiddaw and
Blencathra. The wall dips away but the path continues
contouring and crosses a small footbridge before
descending to a sign where the popular path to
Helvellyn branches left. From here go right, down through
a kissing-gate and subsequent hand-gate. Crossing a
footbridge over Helvellyn Gill enter The Swirls car park.
StagePath joining the forest track to The Swirls

STAGE 7 NORTHBOUND
One brief climb, otherwise largely level going,
allow two hours
Thirlspot > Dale Bottom
The StagePath starts by climbing back above the intake wall to
visit the wild waters of Fisherplace Gill, before descending with
the Sticks Pass bridleway to cross St John’s Beck and then
wandering on firm tracks by Shoulthwaite Moss and the old
road under High Rigg.
Approaching Thirlspot upon the high intake wall path
Pass through the car park taking the first kissing-gate left,
with a big blue signboard ‘permissive path to Wythburn’.
Joining the forest track enter the woodland on a rising
line that later descends to a broad gate. Go left onto the
bridle-path. Initially level, it rises and weaves through the
mature conifers with a firm cobbled base and steps
and one small footbridge. After a kissing-gate, cross
successive footbridges spanning Mines Gill and join the
forest track – a welcome chance to restore a comfortable
stride. Continue to Whelpside Gill and immediately after
crossing the gill take the bridle-path that crosses the
track. For the southbound bus turn down right to
Wythburn Church and follow the access roadway left to
the bus stop. For the northbound bus stop, continue with
the forest track and as the forestry ends swing down right
to reach the Armboth road-end bus stop.
The crags of Ullscarf and Thirlmere from the forest track
Pass the entrance of King’s Head Hotel and go through a
hand-gate with bridleway sign at the end of the building
to enter Thirlspot Farm’s gated farmyard (somewhat
cryptic – ‘thirlspot’ means ‘the giant’s hole’). Exit through
the gate to the right of the three static caravans,
ascending the pasture to a gate and cross Thirlmere Leat.
A short rough stony pasture leads to a gate in the intake
wall. Climb the pitched path to a path junction where the
wall levels. Turn left on a footpath signed ‘Stanah, Sticks
Pass’. Follow the clear path above the wall duly dipping
to cross a gated footbridge over Fisherplace Beck. There
are two massive waterfalls above and it’s well worth
climbing up for a closer view of the action. Contour
forward as directed by the waymark soon coming
alongside the intake wall. The path descends lining up
with the Sticks Pass bridle-path at a signpost. Do not go
through the hand-gate directly below; instead keep right
by the wall to cross Stanah Gill by an old bridge. Bear left
down to a stile/gate over the Thirlmere Leat (At this point
the leat had to be bored through a massive bedrock
bluff.) Descend the pasture and cross the ladder-stile
onto the farm lane leading down by Thirlmere
Community Hall and
adjacent car park.
From the cottages
turn right, along
the road, and pass
the redundant timber
building, originally a youth
hostel. After some 250m
find a footpath signposted
from a hand-gate, enter the
valley pasture and follow the
Dale
Bottom
left-hand wall towards the main
road. Cross the wall-stile and climb the
steps up the embankment. Turn right and
follow the verge, past a request bus stop, and
then carefully cross the main road. Turn left
with the signed ‘Public road round the lake’
leading past a caravan park at
Bridge End Farm. Immediately after
the toilet block on the left, go
Shoulthwaite
Thirlspot

through the double
gates right into the
farmyard, following
a footpath signed
‘Smaithwaite’. Keep
to the track by the
large barns, bearing
down right to
a hand-gate. Now
with a wall on your
left descend to cross
St John’s Beck, the
outflow of Thirlmere
Reservoir, over a
sequence of three
footbridges. Notice
the water flow
monitoring station,
left. Keep the fence,
then wall, to the
left, as you rise to a
gate. Proceed along
Thirlmere Leat above Stanah
a green-way via a
gateway and then a gate into the farmyard at
Smaithwaite (which means ‘the small clearing’). Pass on
between the white barn, date-stone 1692, and the
‘new-build’ footings to a gate to the right of a second
barn. Follow the open track to a hand-gate onto the
road. Turn right for 60m then go left along the forest
access track (United Utilities blue permissive path
signboard). The track runs level along the edge of
Shoulthwaite Moss, coming in to the forest edge via a
kissing-gate. Watch for the fork where the forest track
begins to rise and keep to the low path leading to a
kissing-gate into the farmyard at Shoulthwaite Farm.
Pass on between the barns (notice the humorous ‘string
weather station’ on the barn) and swing right from the
caravan park along the access lane to meet the main road
(request bus stop).
With the utmost care cross straight over via the
wall-stile beside Shoulthwaite Beck bridge and cross the
brief meadow to a further wall-stile into the old road
lane. Turn right for 50m, then left via the hand-gate with
its advice for dog owners. Spot the old stone-arched
Rough How Bridge ahead, walled off and totally
redundant. Keep left to the gate as the track forks beside
the right-hand fence. The ensuing green-way becomes an
undulating path beneath the bank leading to a
hand-gate/stile and then alongside the level wall to join a
track becoming a road passing Brownrigg Farm (cottage)
and Shaw Bank. On coming to a T-junction turn left with
the gated road, passing Broadstones and winding on to
pass by Dalebottom caravan park to the main road. Go
right along the verge to the bus stop.
STAGE 7
SOUTHBOUND
Dale Bottom > Thirlspot
For the main part this is a dale floor walk, journeying with a
lost road and along the edge of a peat moss before climbing
above the intake wall to survey the greater Thirlmere setting,
with the added excitement of the option to visit the crashing
cascades of Fisherplace Gill.
Follow the verge south from the bus stop and bear left
down the side road leading between Dalebottom Farm
and the caravan park. The road twists and turns passing
Broadstones, and, rising by a road-gate, opens to a
T-junction. Turn right on a bridleway (‘no through road’
sign). The lane passes Shaw Bank and Brownbeck Farm
cottages, becoming a green track advancing to a
stile/hand-gate. The bridleway continues below a
bracken-clad bank becoming a lovely green-way to reach
a hand-gate/gate. Veer right as a green track converges
from the left, pass the old single-arched Rough How
Bridge, to reach a hand-gate/gate onto the old road.
Cross the newer bridge spanning Shoulthwaite Beck, and
immediately cross the low wall-stile left. Traverse the brief
pasture to a second low wall-stile onto the main road
verge (request bus stop) and cross straight over into the
lane leading to Shoulthwaite Farm (caravan park). Bear
round to the left between the barns to a kissing-gate
into woodland. Take the obvious level path ahead,
which shortly merges with a forestry track. Continue
with Shoulthwaite Moss left, passing by two further
kissing-gates to meet a minor road. Turn right and first
left after 60m, via the hand-gate on the left with a
footpath sign. Follow the open track to a gate left of a
Castle Rock of Triermain from Smaithwaite

STAGE 8 NORTHBOUND
A little under two hours of easy country walking
Dale Bottom > Keswick
An opportunity to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle by a
less-frequented field path, continuing down into Keswick with
the ancient main road and concluding at the former railway,
closed in 1964 and now a popular cycleway.
Walkers crossing the valley bound for Legburthwaite
barn, passing between the footings of a building and an
old white-washed barn, to a gate. Follow the green-way
via a gate, descending with a fence close right to cross
a triple-gated footbridge over St John’s Beck, the outflow
of Thirlmere. The central section is the remnant of a
broader stone structure – note the stepping stones to the
left – not a right of way so do not cross over here. The
footpath rises via a hand-gate onto the farm track
leading by barns onto the road opposite the caravan
park. Turn left following the road past Bridge End Farm
to meet the main road (with request bus stops).
Carefully cross the main road and follow the broad
verge path right. Advance to find a footpath signed left,
descend the embankment and cross over a wall-stile.
Traverse the valley pasture with a wall close right and go
through a hand-gate onto the St John’s-in-the-Vale road.
Turn right and, at the small car park before cottages and
Thirlmere Community Hall, leave the road left. Follow
the lane rising towards Stanah Farm. Crossing the
ladder-stile at the top ascend the pasture to a
hand-gate/stile beside the Thirlmere Leat. Note the huge
rock bluff right. The reservoir engineers had to bore
through to create the water channel and one suspects this
was not an easy process! Continue up and cross a stone
bridge over Stanah Gill beside the wall – the ravine above
has one massive double waterfall, but to see it you have to
stay within the gorge. Be warned – it is slow, rough going.
The StagePath rises to the wooden signpost for
‘Swirls Car Park’ and forks up right, off the ancient Stick
Pass route – the highest range-crossing bridle-path in
Lakeland, reaching 750m/2460ft. Our path comes above
the intake wall then dips, but the path contours to a
footbridge crossing of Fisherplace Gill. This is another
ravine famed for its waterfalls. When walking you need to
climb up from the path, but they can be clearly seen
from the bus. The path reconnects with the intake wall,
coming to a three-way sign where the wall breaks down.
Take the bridleway ‘Thirlspot Farm’ descending on a
pitched path via three gates recrossing the leat to enter
the farmyard beside the trio of static caravans. Exit
through the hand-gate right, beside the white-washed
hote. The bus stop is at the far end.
Directly opposite
Causewayfoot
Farm cross the
stile beside the
gate leading into a
lane and follow the
Keswick
lane past a barn to a further
stile/gate close by the static caravans.
Turn left along the track, lightly fenced to
the right. This leads to field-gate. Keep to
the open track, via a level stream crossing,
to a wooden field-gate. Go through the gate,
and climb up the pasture by the wall, then fence,
Castlerigg
stone circle
Dale
Bottom
then wall to the right, rising to a stepped wall-stile.
Continue to a hand-gate. On reaching the main road turn
right along the verge.
You can advance dry-shod and swiftly to Castlerigg
Stone Circle by crossing and following the roadside
footpath uphill, branching right along the narrow Castle
Lane. The far more pleasing option, with the emphasis on
quiet country perspectives, turns right, into the lane
leading to Low Nest. Immediately after crossing the
cattle-grid go left via the hand-gate and follow the
Castlerigg stone circle

Blencathra from the path between Castlerigg and High Nest
hardcore track up the pasture to a green-way, bearing
right to a gate with three-way footpath sign. Once
through the gate follow the road-way passing High Nest
old farmhouse and converted barn, to a gate entering a
short lane. This opens into pasture with Blencathra
straight ahead. Contour to a hand-gate beside the
conifer copse. Continue by two further wall hand-gates,
followed by a long traverse across a wet rush pasture to
reach a gate onto the road by a stone sheepfold. Turn up
left and take the opportunity to visit Castlerigg Stone
Circle in the pasture enclosure on the left. This National
Trust property contains the most famous, and certainly
the most visited, ancient monument in Cumbria. Notice
the shallow rigg and furrow grassy corrugations,
reputedly the result of ‘Dig For Britain’ ploughing during
the Second World War. The stone circle is a massive
attraction for many visitors, especially at sunset and
dawn when the spiritual magic is at its most tangible.
Follow the minor road beyond the junction along
Castle Lane, coming down by a ‘Welcome to Keswick on
Derwentwater’ sign. The road descends to converge with
the modern main road. Cross this and follow the A591
footpath to the junction with the A592, keeping on
downhill. Before crossing the road-bridge, short of Travis
Perkins, cross the road and go through the hand-gate
down onto the Keswick Railway Footpath. Keep ahead,
cross a bridge over the River Greta with a lovely view right
towards Latrigg with the Keswick Bridge Timeshare near
left, and Calvert Bridge. The railway trail reaches the old
railway station and Keswick Leisure Pool beyond. Go left
onto Station Road and follow the roadside footpath
bisecting Fitz Park to cross the Greta again. Join the main
road, cross via the pedestrian crossing into Station
Street, and bear right at the end. Pass through the
pedestrianised Market Place, with the Moot Hall (Tourist
Information Centre) and keep forward to the road
roundabout. Turn left to reach Booths supermarket car
park and the all-important bus terminus.
STAGE 8
SOUTHBOUND
Keswick > Dale Bottom
The StagePath takes leave of Keswick along the Railway Trail,
climbing the ancient ridge-way to Castlerigg Stone Circle on the
brow, then ventures via field-paths to revel in an amazing
surround of mighty mountains from Blencathra to Helvellyn
– stirring stuff indeed.
From the bus stop beside Booths walk towards the
town by advancing along Tithebarn Street to the
mini-roundabout. Turn right with the main street to enter
the Market Place centred upon the eye-catching
Moot Hall (Tourist Information Centre). Leave the
pedestrianised area taking the left-hand exit to St John’s
Street and turning first left with Station Street. Use the
pedestrian lights to cross the main road to enter Station
Road ahead. This crosses the broad River Greta slicing
through Fitz Park and rising to the entrance of Keswick
Leisure Pool. Bear right to step onto the old railway
passing through the car park beside the old Railway
Station platform. The original canopy from the age of
steam remains. Steam on along the cycleway, once again
crossing the River Greta, and catch a glimpse left of the
Keswick Bridge Timeshare apartments and Calvert Bridge
backed by the tree-clad slopes of Latrigg. Just before the
trail goes under a bridge, turn right on the rising path
leading to a hand-gate onto the main A591 road.
Cross and follow the roadside footpath bearing left at
the road junction with the Penrith Road, and fork up
right with the side road with blue signs directing to
Castlerigg Stone Circle. This is an ancient ridge-way
River Greta from the Keswick Railway Trail

ascent climbing easily up from the latter-day housing to
gain spacious views over the Greta gorge. Reaching the
crest the lane levels, and passing the end of Castle Lane
comes beside the enclosure containing the stone circle.
Do make time to pause on your walk and stroll around
the circle to sense for yourself the very special spirit of
place resonating from the stones, accentuated by their
majestic setting. Continue with the road. As it begins to
descend find the gate on the right beside a walled
sheepfold with footpath sign ‘High Nest A591’. There is
a clear path on the ground, initially with a fence right
then straight on across the pasture, with much evidence
of rush growth indicative of damp ground. A sequence of
three hand-gates through pasture brings the path beside
a conifer coppice. Follow on to enter a short lane
reaching a gate beside a converted barn. Walk through
the yard at High Nest and along the approach drive. Go
through the gate immediately left of a cattle-grid with a
three-way footpath sign ‘A591 St John’s in Vale’. Follow
the green-way bearing down with the rough hardcore
track to a hand-gate and the Low Nest access drive. Cross
the cattle-grid and venture onto the road bearing left
along the accommodating verge to a hand-gate signed
‘public footpath’. A clear path descends to cross a
wall-stile continuing down to a gate. Follow the open
track leading to a gate then along a lane. Approaching
the caravan park turn right via the stile/galvanised gate.
Go along the fenced lane by a barn to the stile/gate onto
the main road, opposite the entrance to Causeway Foot
Farm and reach the Dale Bottom bus stop (lay-by and
telephone kiosk).
When walking the 555 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.
Keswick Moot Hall
555 StagePath researched Jan/Feb 09
StagePaths © Mark Richards 2009

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Concept, words and pictures © 2009 Mark Richards
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