THE ancient North Yorkshire village of Bainbridge, with its wide-open green containing ancient punishment stocks, shady trees, a pub and a tearoom makes an excellent base for walking, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. Stroll along the River Bain, one of England’s shortest rivers, to the legendary lake of Semerwater and march down a ruler-straight Roman highway.

Start from the village green (grid reference SD 935 899, postcode DL8 3EF).

Information:

Distance: 9 miles with 1,600 feet of ascent

Time: 4 hours

Terrain: grassy footpaths and stony track

Map: OS Explorer OL30

Route:

1 From the green, walk down the A684 to cross the River Bain, and look at the water turbine on the right. The site of the Roman fort of Virosidum ('the settlement by the Ure') is on the left. Turn right on to the unclassified road then join the footpath on the right signed Semerwater 2.25 miles via a squeeze stile. Follow the grassy path uphill to fingerposts on the hilltop. The footpath follows the course of the River Bain, which at only two miles in length is one of England’s smallest named rivers. A view of Semerwater soon appears ahead. Descend to a gated stile on the right of a wall to pass a stone barn and continue along the riverside path to the road bridge beside Semerwater. Semerwater (from old English sae or sea plus mere meaning marshy lake) is the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire after Malham Tarn.

According to legend a thriving town once stood here. A poor old man was passing through and asked for food and rest but nobody would help him except a shepherd called Malcolm. Next morning the old man uttered the words, “Semerwater Rise! Semerwater Sink! And bury the town all save the house where they gave me meat and drink.” The town was drowned, and it’s said that on a calm evening you can hear soft music from bells hidden beneath the waters.

2 Turn right on to the minor road to cross the bridge then join the footpath on the left signed Marsett Lane. The path goes uphill to meet a minor road at a stile. Go left along the road and after 550 yards turn right through a metal gate signed Countersett Craggy Side Road. Cross a wall stile and bear right to go across the face of a steep hill to a gated wall stile near a tree. The path goes diagonally across a field to a gated wall stile then across the corner of another field to a squeeze stile, then to another step stile and uphill to a gated roadside stile. Turn left at the road then immediately left onto the bridleway signed Weather Fell 2. Walk up to a wooden field gate then turn left through a metal gate to go up the side of a hill. Go through a wooden gate and ascend to the fell top. At the crossed fingerpost continue straight ahead on the bridleway and go through a gate to a fingerpost signed Public Bridleway Roman Road.

3 Turn right on to the track. This Roman road, known as Cam High Road, runs from Ingleton to the Roman Fort at Bainbridge. In the late 18th century the road was resurfaced and formed part of the Richmond to Lancaster turnpike. Follow the ruler-straight lane directly down to Bainbridge, enjoying views over the Rive Ure to the left, continuing along a minor road 700 yards before reaching the village.

Next week: Dalton Crags and Park

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.