This is a glorious walk first over the National Park’s Torver Commons, then along the side of Coniston Water. After crossing the A5084 it continues uphill beside walled Tyson Wood. It remains beside the wall for a mile until it reaches the end of the lane at Stable Harvey. The return is beside the lovely Torver Tarn (disused reservoir on the map) and then over Mill Bridge to walk a walled path to the parking area. It is one of my favourite walks.

Park opposite to the Lakeland Landrover garage, on the A5084, south of Torver, grid ref 287932. There are two entrances to a large area and many cars are often parked here.

1 Leave the north section of the parking area by the track in the top left corner, noting the farmer’s sign asking you to leave the track clear for access. Go through the gate and bear left to come to the side of pretty Kelly Hall tarn. (Best pictures taken from the far side.) Go on along the gently rising path, keeping parallel with the wall to your left. Where it turns sharply left go on with Long Moss Tarn in view ahead. Here follow the grassy path that bears half left gently climbing below a high outcrop. Carry on the clear path over two more knolls with wonderful views all around.

2 From the top of the last knoll descend on the path towards Coniston Water, walking parallel to a beck, in a gully to your left and with a wall beyond the stream. The path is occasionally indistinct. Ignore where a left turn descends to the side of the stream and go on down through pleasing juniper and then fine woodland, still with the stream to the left. Take the right track, where the way divides to go through a gate. A short way along, ignore a right turn and descend the lovely way to the side of Coniston Water.

3 Turn right to follow the track, rough in parts with lots of tree roots that you should look out for and – marvellous views. After nearly a mile the track climbs away from the water and comes beside a wall and divides. Here keep beside the wall to reach a tiny pool. Over the wall stands a very old baptist chapel and the pool was used for baptisms. After a pause in this delectable corner, head on beside the wall to go through a gate then drop down a short track to join the A-road.

4 Bear left with care. Cross the road and go on over the road bridge over Torver Beck. Just beyond, take the signposted stile/gate into pasture. Follow the footpath uphill, soon taking one of several paths that bring you to the side of the walled Tyson Wood, on your left. Follow the wall as it winds up and over the slopes all the way for nearly a mile, to arrive at the end of the lane leading up from the valley to Stable Harvey. Here turn right and in a few steps right again. Remain on the wide track as winds a little left round the Moss and then right. Still on the track follow it left with glimpses of Torver Tarn ahead. Keep on this track until you can take a right turn towards the tarn. Cross two streams and keep on to come to the tarn, now on your left. This has always been a tarn and was dammed to supply water to the mill below.

5 Continue on the path, which soon becomes a wide track and climb steadily up beside the fell, Anne Riggs. Descend with the track to join a narrow walled path that leads down to the old mill. Cross the bridge over Torver Beck and turn sharp left to take a delightful walled track up to the A-road. Wind right, with great care and in a few steps cross the busy road to the car park.

Information:

Distance: 5.5 miles

Time: 3-4 hours (allowing time for enjoying the views).

Terrain: Many pleasing grassy paths and good tracks. Only a few steps on the busy A-road, where care is needed.

Map: OS Explorer OL 6 – look for the pecked paths for the first half of the walk.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.