Bridges over the becks (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Bridges over the becks

10:26am Friday 9th May 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

Scale Beck, Eskdale, results from the union of Cowcove Beck, which quietly cuts its way across moorland above Scale Gill, and Catcove Beck, which runs below Cat Crag, and topples down a delightful tree-lined gully. For all its length the Scale falls in a series of foaming cascades and dramatic falls. The narrow gill is tucked away between the swelling flanks of Brock Crag and Dawsonground Crags. The steep sides are covered with mosses, liverworts and ferns. Oaks, birches, hollies, hazels, ashes and rowans clothe the gill and are the haunt of long-tailed tits, robins, blackbirds and thrushes.

Park in the layby, opposite Wha House Farm, grid ref 211009. This lies nearly two miles beyond Eskdale's Dalegarth Station, the last stop of the L'al Ratty line. To reach Eskdale take a minor road off the A595 between Millom and Whitehaven.

1/ From the parking area walk on along the valley road to take the second signed footpath, on the left, just before Wha House Bridge. Stroll ahead over the large pasture, with the River Esk beside you, on the right. Pass through a gap in the wall and continue on to go through a gate. Beyond, the river turns away right and the footpath climbs quite steeply, left, up the slope to a signed gate in the wall onto a track, where you turn right. Go on past quaint Birdhow and carry on along the way to reach the first wall of Taw House Farm. Here follow the arrow directing you left, and then bearing right, to climb a rough way, which continues on the left side of the fell wall. Go on the sometimes wet way and on reaching a wooded gill, cross the stream on a large slab of slate.

2/ Carry on to climb a ladderstile and go on ahead on a clear path to reach the wall over Scale Beck. Just beyond is a lovely sunny sheltered patch where you can dump your rucksack, take a break and enjoy the beauty of the beck. To see the exquisite bridge, some walkers will wish to walk a few steps, up-stream, on a little grassy path to see its pleasing construction.

3/ Return along the path, remaining beside the wall, now on your left, and take another ladderstile, to the left of the one taken earlier. Then walk on, keeping to the left of a large ash tree and pass through two gate gaps. Beyond, the continuing track can be very wet and muddy but it is passable. Go on through the next gate into the wide walled and fenced track towards Taw House. Once in the yard of the farm, take the kissing gate on the left, to walk the permissive way across the pasture, keeping beside the wall on the left, to reach a stile just before the fine bridge over the River Esk, which you cross.

4/ Turn right and follow the path to continue along the access track from Brotherilkeld Farm to the valley road. Walk left uphill and, beyond the wall on the right, just before the little parking area, descend right to cross the delightful Jubilee Bridge (1977). Climb the slope and go through two gates. Beyond the second, slant gently down to the wall on your right. Carry on along beside the walled woodland and follow the good path as it climbs steadily to a gate in the wall ahead.

5/ Carry on along the level path, high up the slope, with pleasing views down into the valley. Step across a small stream and go through a kissing gate into larch woodland. Go through a second gate and then emerge from the trees by a gate and bear left to cross a footbridge over a beck. Head on left and then wind right to reach a three-armed signpost. Stroll on ahead, cross another beck and pass through a gate to walk a long pasture to reach the gated track through Penny Hill Farm - or you may prefer to take the arrowed path that makes a short diversion to avoid walking through the farmyard. Continue on the pleasing track to reach Doctor Bridge, which you cross. Bear right up the short track to reach the valley road.

6/ Turn right and go past the Woolpack Inn, which brews its own ales. Here you may wish to take another diversion to avoid the narrow road that can be quite busy. To do this turn left, just beyond the inn, into the access track to the Youth Hostel. Go ahead along the left side of the building and then continue on a short track to take a stile, on the left, into woodland. The path soon bears right and climbs to a seat. After a pause here to enjoy the view, go on over a fence by a stile. Follow the winding path eventually to pass through a wall to join an enticing grassy track.

7/ After a few steps, leave the track, right, and descend to take a gate back through the wall. Turn left and with the wall now to your left, walk a grassy path that soon becomes a track, to rejoin the valley road by a stile. Walk left into the parking area, opposite Wha House Farm.

Information Distance: 6 miles Time: 3 hours Terrain: Mainly easy level walking.

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.

• Print
• Email
• Share