THIS short walk is one of the many splendid walks available on Kendal's doorstep. Tranquil scenery, combining woodland and open views, makes Ratherheath a rather special place for a relaxing stroll or an energetic jog. And on the way round, you could stop at Staveley for refreshments.

Driving from Kendal towards Windermere, bear left just before the end of the dual carriageway after Plumgarths roundabout into the old A591, then keep right where Ashes Lane (signed Camping and Caravan Club) goes off to the left. Park near woods on the left, grid reference SD 486 963.

INFORMATION

Distance: 5.2 miles

Time: 2.5 hours

Terrain: mainly grassy footpaths, often wet in parts.

Map: OS Explorer OL7

ROUTE

1 Follow the footpath signed Ratherheath Lane through woods and over a footbridge. Cross Ashes Lane and walk by the fence on the left to a gate in a wall. Turn right to pass the end of Ratherheath Tarn. Bear left up to a yellow waymarker then turn right to cross a wall stile. Turn left alongside the wall then follow waymarkers diagonally across pasture to a roadside stile. Turn right onto Ratherheath Lane then right on the B5284 Crook road for 250 yards. Turn right by the second gate onto the footpath signed Ashes Lane.

2 Follow the muddy track beside a wall on the right. After crossing the second wall stile turn left to go around a boggy area then right, past an old ash tree and gorse bushes. This is Knott Hill, the highest point of the walk. Descend to pass through a gate ahead then, staying close to the fence and wall on the right; go between gorse bushes and continue towards Ashes Coppice. Bear left just before the coppice to go around its boundary wall to a ladder stile and into the woods. Exit via a wall stile and keep straight on to cross a track to a kissing gate in the right corner and a crossed fingerpost (signed Staveley) 50 yards later. Keep straight on to the right outside corner of a wall ahead. Cross a stile and descend the field to the right of a large tree and alongside a wall on the right. Cross the A591 with great care to a stile onto a footpath going alongside a wall on the left then under a railway bridge to meet Kendal Road in Staveley.

3 Optionally visit Staveley on the left; otherwise turn right and before reaching the level crossing, left onto the path signed Dales Way. After 150 yards keep straight on, leaving the Dales Way, and walk along the narrow lane to a wall stile. Bear left and cross the field up to its opposite corner beside a wood. Go through a gate on the right of Cragg Farm, across their lane and lawn to a wall stile. Follow an unclear path ahead around boulders and reeds down to a gated stile. Descend to the white apartment buildings of Cowan Head. Turn right on the access road going beside the River Kent and bending right to meet Winter Lane. Cross the road and Ratherheath Beck to a stile. Ascend the field bearing right to a wall stile next to a two bar fence. Walk ahead to a gate at the end of the farmyard wall, turn right onto a farm track crossing a railway bridge and up past houses to the A591. Cross the road, again with great care, to a signed footpath through the hedge and descend to the road where the walk began.

Next week: Rusland Pool and River Leven

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.