TAKE a trip to the historic market town of Brampton near Carlisle then walk by a mad river and Talkin Tarn, writes JOHN EDMONDSON.

The walk goes through attractive countryside, visits a Roman quarry, an impressive 19th century railway viaduct, a pretty hamlet and a quiet Pennine village.

It’s well worth the journey to the north of Cumbria.

Start from Main Street, Brampton (grid reference NY 529 610).

INFORMATION

Distance: 10 miles and 800 feet of ascent

Time: 4-5 hours

Terrain: good footpaths, quiet roads, and town pavements

Map: OS Explorer 315

ROUTE

1 Walk westwards along Carlisle Road (A6071), then turn left onto Elmfield, signed Warwick Bridge and Carlisle. After crossing St Martins Drive turn left onto a path signed Capon Tree Road. Turn right on Capon Tree Road (signed Low Gelt Bridge) to pass the Capon Tree monument. Cross the A69 with care and walk along the old road to Low Gelt Bridge. Turn left before the bridge onto the path signed Middle Gelt and Brampton. Follow the riverside track through woods. The name Gelt probably comes from Irish 'geilt' meaning 'lunatic' so it is known as Mad River, which can describe the way it flows down the narrow gorge. The Old English word 'geld' also describes its gold colour. The path passes a quarry made by Roman engineers about 1,900 years ago for building Hadrian’s Wall. On meeting a road turn right to go over the river then left under the railway viaduct on the road signed Greenwell. The inscription with Roman numerals shows that the viaduct was completed by Francis Giles in 1835.

2 Keep left onto the riverside footpath signed Greenwell. Go straight on the lane through the pretty hamlet of Greenwell, over a gravel driveway and on to a track that continues past a ford to a road. Turn left, cross High Gelt Bridge, then after 300 yards, right over a stile onto a field path signed Talkin. Cross a field to a metal gate at the bottom of the slope on the right then go along a lane to a road. Go through a cobbled farmyard and onto a lane leading to fields. Keep to the left of the field to a gate then along a fence to another gate and cross a field towards houses to a kissing gate in the centre of the hedge. After the next field enter church grounds and cross a driveway to a step stile behind the Blacksmiths Arms at Talkin. The name Talkin is derived from the Celtic 'Talcan' meaning brow of a hill.

3 Turn left along the road signed Talkin Tarn. After three quarters of a mile - after passing derelict buildings - turn right onto the path signed Talkin Tarn. This glacial tarn has been used for recreation since the middle of the 19th century, when a bathing hut on stilts, complete with a jetty and diving platform, was located on the tarn edge. Turn left after the café, past the toilets and education cabin and turn right then left onto a path signed Brampton Fell Road. Turn right and walk along the road to Brampton railway station. Cross over the railway footbridge. Turn left and follow the main path through Roebank Wood then under the A69 bypass. Turn left on Station Road and walk past the green to the town centre.

Next week: Low Wood and Bigland Tarn

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.