This fascinating walk takes you into remote limestone country. The area is best known for its spectacular extensive underground cave system but this walk, all above ground, has much to be viewed, such as magnificent water formations and mysterious entrances to potholes, the latter being viewed with care from a safe distance.

Park on the verge at the end of the unclassified road above Bullpot Farm, grid ref 663815, 3.5 miles north of Casterton.

1 From where you have parked, walk down the track to Bullpot farmhouse nestling among tall ash, the hub of the Red Rose cave and pothole club. Go through the signposted gate, on the right, beyond the house. Cross a channelled stream and carry on the wide grassy path with superb views ahead. To the left brooding Casterton Fell sweeps steadily upward. Continue past several potholes, hidden by rough grass, to reach a stile and a gate. Beyond, stroll a more weathered path. Ignore a grassy path leading up left, the route taken by potholers on their way to two more potholes. At a Y-junction of paths, remain parallel with the wall to your right, from where you can see two crumbling limekilns, once used by the farmer at Hellot Scales Barn farm. Climb gently to the brow, high above a deep depression in which lies the dry bed of Ease Gill. Below you, to the right, is the ruin of Hellot Scales Barn.

2 Follow the narrowing path as it winds left and descends steeply to Ease Gill below. Carry on, left, on the path, to the side of fenced Ease Gill Kirk, a dramatic section of the dry gill. If you wish to explore, go through the gate and follow the path under trees. Eventually your way up the contorted limestone, water-smoothed gill is blocked by a six-foot dry waterfall. Some climb it but it is best to return to the gate and bear right continuing above the bed of the dry river, with the fence to your right. Carry on up on the narrow path to reach a ‘cow catcher’ across the dry bed, which is in use when water does flow.

3 Beyond, go through the gate in the fence to start your walk up the bed, using narrow paths on one side or the other, taking which ever is easier. After just under a mile from Ease Gill Kirk the gill appears blocked by a huge wall of limestone, but as you approach you can see that a great cleft splits the high rock. From this huge incision comes the sound of tumbling water. Walk ahead carefully into the shadow of the fissure. Awesome wet blocks of stone almost touch overhead. Immediately in front of you water cascades into a basin and higher still more falls descend, plunging into a kidney-shaped rock basin, its sloping sides, covered with tuffa and very slippery. Close to your feet the clear water lies several inches deep. Under the plunge pool of the fall the water is dark and seemingly very deep. Now it becomes clear why the beck is dry, the water is lost underground and only after heavy rain will it overflow and carry on down Ease Gill. You will want to have your camera handy here.

4 Cross the dry bed to its right side at an easy place and then climb a steep ‘stepped’ path to the top of the waterfalls. Take care as you look upstream over the superb dry bed with its fantastic rock formations. Bear right to an easily spotted sturdy ladderstile. Beyond, descend over the rough fell to a low wide bridge, without sides. Pause here to look down, left, for another good view of the rock formations. Cross the bridge and locate an indistinct steep dirt path that winds back and forth as it climbs the slope ahead. Eventually you reach the brow and here you can see the remnants of an old wall now replaced by a fence. Continue over the high moorland of Casterton Fell, keeping parallel with the fence and wall, on your left, to a concealed waymarked reinforced gap in the fence and wall.

5 Once through the gap, look for the tall waymarked posts that guide you over the high fell. The path has been reinforced in places but some stones have sunk. Look for a better way around the tricky spots and continue until you can see the outrake steadily descending towards Bullpot Farm. Join the walled way – a bit rough underfoot - and continue to pass the house and go on to join your vehicle.

Information

Distance: 4.5 miles

Time: 3 hours

Terrain: Some good grassy paths; quite hard walking at times on either side of river bed, moorland path wet in parts.

Map: OS Explorer OL 2

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.