Broughton Moor is a secluded mixed forest that stretches east from the banks of the lovely River Lickle. Pretty Appletreeworth Beck flows through a narrow valley in the forest, and comes beside the derelict Appletreeworth farmhouse and its outbuildings. Picturesque stepping stones cross the beck, but in the past, if they were underwater or too slippery, walkers crossed by a long-gone wooden footbridge, or waded. In the 1990s the delightful stone bridge was built in memory of Lady Angela Rooker, a keen fell walker.

1 From the Hawk Bridge parking area, grid reference 239920, walk on along the continuing footpath under larch. Go through the gate beside a padlocked farm gate and continue on a good track winding steadily left with the beck gurgling away as it descends its rocky bed, to your right. Where the track swings left uphill, go ahead along a narrow path beside the beck. Pause by the stepping-stones for a delightful view of the delectable bridge.

2 Return along the narrow path and turn right and wind left along a wide forest track. Follow it as it climbs steadily and at a Y-junction take the right branch. This is the track you remain on for the next mile and a quarter. It climbs steadily into the hills, with views down into the valley of the River Lickle. Soon the trees are left behind, including the willow warblers and chiff chaffs. Clear fell, that lies to the right, is now being pleasingly colonised by lowly plants.

3 Continue on the very good track as it moves into the hills, with the rugged east side of Caw to your left. Look for celandines, violets, lesser stitchwort and wood sorrel flowering in the verges of the way. The track climbs steadily to reach a stile. Beyond move carefully, a little right, to cross Natty Bridge. Pause to look down on the splendid gorge through which flows the Yewry Sike.

4 Go on ahead on a rough path, which soon becomes reinforced. Continue a short way to take a narrow reinforced path on the left to cross a tiny stream and turn left. This is the difficult part of the walk because it is boggy in parts and you need to choose your own best way. It drops steadily to a gap in a wall and a better path continues. Rise steadily and pause to enjoy the splendid view down the valley, then descend a twisting way that has been reinforced with stones. At its foot a grassy way goes on to cross another stream. Just beyond, look back left to see a fine walled sheep pen close to the Lickle.

5 The path climbs steadily and the Lickle is lost to view down steep slopes. Walk carefully and keep children and pets under control as the slope steepens even more before reaching a gate. Beyond follow the wall to your left and continue over pasture to Stephenson Ground. Notice the potash pit to your right as you go. The way winds around left to a gate onto the road.

6 Turn left and descend the steep curving road. Just before it crosses picturesque Water Yeat Bridge, look on the left banking for another potash pit. Notice the primroses growing, upstream of the bridge. Continue along the very quiet narrow road listening to the wonderful bird song and noticing the flowers along the verge to arrive at the car park after half a mile.

Information

Distance: 5.5 miles

Time: 3-4 hours

Terrain: Good track all the way to Natty Bridge. Boggy part to cross to join return path. A delightful and exhilarating walk

Map: OS Explorer OL6

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.