The Land of the Lune - Drakkar Press

The Lune from Capplethwaite Beck ...
Paddlers (in a canoe, that is) feel the adrenaline
rising as they and the Lune approach the next
section, which includes a narrow rapid called the Strid
that drops 2m into a large pool. This is the liveliest
part of the whole Lune, as it tumbles through and over
sloping rocks and into deep pools, and one of the most
challenging canoeing stretches in northwest England.
(An experienced outdoor instructor died here in 2007.)
It may be viewed from a footpath that leads north from
Killington New Bridge. The bridge has a single 18m
arch and is not new. A proposal to build holiday chalets
in the field southwest of the bridge would, if accepted,
enable many more visitors to enjoy, or spoil, the scenic
tranquillity of the region.
At the bridge there used to be a notice: “SAA No
canoeing”. I expect that SAA is the Sedbergh Angling
Association but I was unsure of the legal status of their
notice. The SAA presumably owns the banks and can
Walk 7: Fox’s Pulpit and the Waterside Viaduct
The Lune from Capplethwaite Beck ... 59
Map: OL19 (please read the general note about the walks in the Introduction).
Starting point: Killington New Bridge (623908).
Walk south by the Lune to Bowersike and take the track up to Greenholme, where there’s a good view back to Winder,
Baugh Fell and Middleton Fell. Through Greenholme, follow the wall on the right that swings north. Across a small beck, the
track turns west towards a plantation where there’s a reassuring footpath sign. It’s quiet here, among the bracken and heather, but
from the corner of the plantation you see, a few kilometres away, reminders of the 21st century – Killington Service Station and
the Lambrigg wind turbines.
Beyond the plantation the path drops down to a white gate, where you turn right to another white gate, from which there
is a view of the Howgills from Winder to Fell Head. Note the prominent white building 2km ahead (New Field), which is your
next objective.
Cross the A684. There is no clear path on the CRoW land but make your way across to Ghyll Farm, which is on Capplethwaite
Beck. There seem to be no signposts at Ghyll Farm, so be careful to turn left off the drive, before a barn, heading north. After
500m you reach the white building you noted before.
From New Field, walk 1km along the road to Fox’s Pulpit. By now, you might appreciate that Fox did well to attract a
thousand people up here. Walk east across the CRoW land of Knotts and, when the view ahead is revealed, pause to relate the
panorama to your map – in particular, identify the large farm of Hole House, 1km northeast. Head in the general direction of Hole
House until you reach either a wall or a clear footpath running north-south (between Stocks and Whinny Haw). In the former
case, follow the wall to the right until the footpath is reached.
Walk to Stocks and continue on the road north but before Goodies turn right over the old railway line and cross the Lune
footbridge. Walk up by Smithy Beck to Hole House. You are now on the well sign-posted Dales Way. Follow this for 3km past
the Waterside Viaduct, Lincoln’s Inn Bridge and Luneside. Where the Dales Way turns left to The Oaks, turn right to the Lune,
which you follow back to Killington New Bridge.
Short walk variation: From the bridge, walk west, first on the road and then on a footpath, to Grassrigg. Walk south 200m to gain
the footpath that runs north above Grassrigg. Cross the A684 and take the path to Shacklabank. Walk north for 500m to take the
path that drops through Hawkrigg Wood, across the B6257, to Lincoln’s Inn Bridge. Follow the Dales Way south and where it
turns left to The Oaks, turn right to the Lune and back to Killington New Bridge.
insist upon private fishing. Does it own the Lune too? Can
it prevent others using the Lune? Obviously, they would
prefer canoeists not to tangle their lines and disturb their
fish. Indeed, I would prefer canoeists not to disturb the
dippers, kingfishers, and other wildlife (and anglers not
to disturb salmon, come to that). Nevertheless, canoeists
do tackle the Lune and its tributaries, with or without
permission, and good luck to them. The notice was
replaced in 2008 to read “Private fishing SAA”, which
seems more reasonable.
Canoeists will, I imagine, be also concerned with
the dangerous-looking weir that follows at Broad Raine.
Further south, at Stangerthwaite, the public bridleway
and ford seem impenetrable, at least to horses and
vehicles. It used to link two tracks, one of which leads
up to Four Lane Ends, the other three old lanes now
forming the A683 and B6256.
After this turbulent stretch, the Lune swings west to
meet the largest tributary so far, the River Rawthey.
This is Chapter 3 of The Land of the Lune (2nd edition), http://www.drakkar.co.uk/landofthelune.html, Copyright © 2010 John Self