Bridging the gaps (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Bridging the gaps

10:17am Friday 23rd May 2008

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The village of Threlkeld straggles across the lower slopes of Gategill Fell and, behind its cottages, soar the dramatic ridges of Blencathra. Across the valley lies Clough Head towering over Threlkeld Knotts. Through the low pastures between the two giants flows the delightful, Celtic-named River Glenderamackin, which shares the valley with the disused Penrith to Workington railway track, today a glorious walkway along the side of the River Greta, formed when the Glenderamackin joins with St John's Beck.

This circular walk starts at Threlkeld, continues beside the Glenderamackin and then heads on along the railway track. Near Brundholme it leaves the line and heads up to Wescoe and then returns on a fine path to the village.

Park in Threlkeld, grid ref 323255. To reach this, turn off the A66 (between Keswick and Penrith) at the sign for the village and drive through the main street. Go past the church, on your left, and keep ahead past the Old Smithy and turn left immediately beyond. It is well signposted. There is an honesty box and toilets.

1/ From the car park, walk right towards the church, which you might wish to visit. It dates from 1772, but there has been a priest of Threlkeld since AD1220. Leave by the gate beyond the building and notice, on the left, a rather weatherworn memorial, which lists all the Masters of the Blencathra Hounds. Continue down the main street past the two inns and wind on to reach the A66. Cross the very busy road by the traffic island, on the left, and take the signposted bridleway, leading left, and passing in front of Threlkeld's sports pavilion. Very soon the noise is left behind as you move out into the pleasing countryside, with Blencathra towering above you on your left. Go through the kissing gate ahead and walk ahead towards Threlkeld Hall. At the three-armed signpost, before the dwelling, turn right and descend the reinforced lane, passing through sheep pastures, to reach the bridge over the Glenderamackin.

2/ Do not cross but go through the gate on the right, to walk beside the hurrying beck lined with deciduous trees. Look for dippers along this lovely stretch of water. Pause to look across the fields to see the great sweeping curve of Blencathra. Take the stepped stile to the right of the locked gate and walk on along the path through delightful woodland. At the end of the trees, turn left to cross Mill Bridge and then right following the signpost for Station Road. Walk on over a meadow, beside the curving fence on the left, leaving the Glenderamackin for a while. Cross a ditch on slate slabs and go on ahead to a gap stile onto a new footbridge over the ditch, to the right of a broken section in the wall. Bear right to follow a track that comes close to the river again and then head on to a narrow ford (raised slate path to the right) to go through a gate to pass in front of Setmabanning Farm, with caravans to the left, now walking a metalled road. Go past the railway cottages and descend to cross the B5322, the road through the Vale of St John.

3/ Climb up the signposted steepish stepped path and go through gates to join a tree-lined section of the old railway track and walk on. As you cross a long sturdy bridge over the river, pause, to look ahead, to see the picturesque stone Threlkeld Bridge and then carry on the delectable way. Then, where the railway track has been built over, climb a stepped way to a gate on to a minor road. Turn left and walk on to pause on the stone bridge to see the Glenderamackin passing under one arch and St John's Beck passing under the second. To the right almost atop the trees is a viaduct carrying the A66.

4/ Just beyond the bridge, take the signed footpath, on the right, to walk a narrow path through glorious woodland. Pass under the viaduct. Beyond, walk on to descend a slope to rejoin the railway track, with a fine overslung bowstring bridge to your right, over the River Greta. Stroll left on the lovely way, with the river flowing sweetly below you to the right. Carry on through a cutting where the steep sides are covered with a myriad of vegetation and trees. Go on to reach a small restored hut, with a seat inside and out, and with several interesting plaques.

5/ Cross the bridge where the River Glenderaterra unites with the Greta and just beyond is another restored hut. Here take the gate, opposite, to cross a short pasture to join a narrow lane and walk right over a pretty stone bridge. Then the potholed way climbs steadily until it reaches Wescoe. Pass in front of Wescoe Farm and take the signposted gate, ahead, on to a grassy path. From now on this path, level, clear and straight ahead, takes you over nine mainly small, walled pastures. It is well trodden and a delight to walk. The walls are crossed by stone steps leading to a gap and are easy to surmount.

6/ This path brings you to a kissing gate beside a farm gate onto a track. Follow this to the road and descend right. At the T-junction walk right to return to the car park.

Information

Distance: 6 miles Time: 3 hours Terrain: Good path and tracks.

Maps: OS Explorer 4 & 5 Refreshments: Two good inns in Threlkeld. The Keswick Golf Club serves refreshments and lunches. To reach this, at the first bridge over the Glenderamackin, cross and walk up the access track.

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.

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