What a delight to stroll from Torver along the new reinforced track rather than trying to walk, safely, along the walled section of the road towards Coniston and then to cross the road bridge over Torver Beck. At Little Arrow the new section joins an earlier track that moves away from the rail route. Just before the caravan park you join the old rail route again. It continues through the loveliest section, in my view, along a tree-lined path between grassy embankments. The return to Torver makes use of paths beside Coniston Lake.

Leave your vehicle in the small parking area north of Torver church, grid reference 285943, where a donation of £2 is welcomed for upkeep.

Route 1 Turn left out of the parking area and continue to the next left turn. A few steps along lies the unobtrusive entrance to the new track, stretching ahead below trees. Stroll the pleasing way, passing a side track, on the left, which passes through the car park of Church House Inn. At the time of writing the inn is closed. Carry on to cross a wooden footbridge, parallel with the old railway bridge, both of which cross Torver Beck. Stride ahead, ignoring footpaths off left and right. The track then continues, gated, below a lovely avenue of trees and under a bridge. At the final gate the track leaves the old rail route ad bears left to carry on beside a wall. Continue on this until you are funnelled onto the road to Coniston.

2 Bear right to stroll the good path with a wide verge to your left. Once opposite the farm, follow the track as it moves to the other side of the wall, which hides the traffic, and leads you into a copse of deciduous trees. Head on as it winds a little right and then left to join the metalled road (once the old line). Keep straight on, when the road winds right, taking the signed footpath into more woodland. Go through a gate at the woodland end and walk on along my favourite section of the old line. Towards the end look for a post up on the steepish slope, right, climb to it and continue to a gate to the road. (The trains used to pass under the road, through the now defunct tunnel).

3 Cross the road, with care, and walk right to take, almost immediately, a left turn then a right, along the continuing old railway track. Look down on Coniston village and the lake. Watch out for an easily-missed gate, right, giving access to a narrow rough path descending to the Ship Inn, which opens at noon - for a coffee maybe? Drop down to the Coniston road, cross and walk left, with care. In a few yards take the continuing path that drops out of sight of the road. Look out for the stile, right, into a large pasture. Strike diagonally to the far right corner to join another good track.

4 Turn right and very soon follow a track going off left towards the lake. Cross a small footbridge to approach the magnificent Coniston Hall, where there is a picnic table. Wind on to the right of the hall. Keep ahead (ignore the track into the caravan park) and follow the track, with woodland to the right. Then take, quite quickly, a track off left that leads you nearer to the lake and head right parallel with it. At a gate across the track (maybe open) ignore it and follow the fence right and as it winds left to go through a gate. Carry on the good track (the cattle here seemed most uninterested in walkers). Stroll on beside the glorious lake until you come to a largish grassy clearing and a very small signpost.

5 Bear right and follow a trod into the forest. Climb steadily for quarter of a mile until you reach a long wall. Bear left, wall to right, to enjoy the splendid footpath, which eventually brings you to a farm track. Turn left and follow it as it runs down, right, to a narrow road. Cross and take the stile, below the signpost. Follow the grassy swathe (boggy in parts after rain) across the pasture to a gate. Descend the little path to the new track and walk left. Either take the right turn to go through the inn’s car park or continue to the end and turn right, twice, to return to the car park.

Information

Distance: 5.5 miles

Time: 3 hours

Terrain: Very good, nearly level track all the way

Map: OS Explorer OL6 – this will not show the first section of the path

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.