TAKE a short hilly walk near Haverthwaite up to Bigland Tarn and return on part of the Cumbria Coastal Way, writes JOHN EDMONDSON.

This varied route near to the River Leven goes through pleasant woodland and open grassland, offers good views and visits a pretty tarn. The walk starts from the quiet hamlet of Low Wood, which is off the B5278 near Haverthwaite, next to the bridge over the River Leven.

Park on the large stony area near the start of the bridleway on the east side of Low Wood (grid reference SD 347 836, postcode LA12 8LY).

INFORMATION

Distance: 3.5 miles and 750 feet of ascent

Time: 2 hours

Terrain: good paths, wet in parts

Map: OS Explorer OL7

ROUTE

1 The most prominent feature of Low Wood is the impressive Clock Tower. Built in 1849, this was part of a gunpowder factory that ceased production in 1935. The production buildings were destroyed for safety reasons, leaving only walls standing. The remaining buildings now form a complex of business units. The walk begins where the road bends right at the start of a bridleway on the left. Walk onto the woodland bridleway to the right of the stony area and past a disused generator house with a chimney on the left. From this pleasant uphill woodland path enjoy views over Backbarrow. Pass Trundle Brow and at Low Brow Edge turn right onto Brow Edge Road. At the next junction (after 140 yards) turn right. At Bigland Brown Cottage (a further 300 yards), turn left onto a road signed Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles. At the top of the slope turn right past School House Farm and immediately left after the barn onto the signed footpath. Go through a metal gate onto a walled grassy path, through a wooden gate and up through trees. Follow the steep stony path to above trees then go over a wall stile and uphill to the left of gorse bushes, over grassland and beside a small tarn on the left. Views of Whitestone and Newton Fell appear to the east.

2 Cross a wall stile and turn right onto a stony path (signed High Gate). Go through a wooden gate past a gas installation, through two gates and across the road onto Bigland Hall driveway. At the end of the drive turn left (signed Low Wood Grassgarth) past a wooden building and along a track to the left of Bigland Hall entrance gate. The hall is a large country residence with its own chapel and large gardens, built for the Bigland family in the late 16th/17th Century and remodelled in 1809. It is now a centre for horse riding. The name Bigland means ‘land where barley grows.’ Bigland Tarn is a natural glacial tarn fed solely by springs and stocked with mirror carp, some over 30 years old. The building with a turfed-over roof near a small jetty is apparently an old icehouse.

3 Go through a metal kissing gate and turn right. The route now joins part of the Cumbria Coastal Way. Descend quite steeply through woods, keeping right on the waymarked path, along a boardwalk, and continuing on the path down to the B5278. Turn right (signed Cumbria Coastal Way), along the road for 70 yards, past the entrance to Outwood, then right into Low Wood. Follow the road back to where the walk began.

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.