A tour of the peaceful countryside around Underbarrow and Crosthwaite. Blazes of yellow gorse, acres of damson trees and myriads of wild flowers make this a colourful walk especially in the spring. It combines views southwards along Lyth Valley and eastwards over Cunswick Scar with placid pastural and woodland scenery. Start from All Saints Church, Underbarrow (GR SD 463 925).

Information

Distance: 7.75; ascent: 1,000 feet

Time: 3.5 hours

Terrain: Grassy footpaths, tracks and quiet lanes.

Map: OS Explorer OL7

Route

1 From Underbarrow Church join the road and go straight ahead and where the main road bends to the left keep straight on along Mill Lane for 400 yards. Turn right onto the footpath opposite a white bungalow. The footpath, signed Blake Bank three quarters of a mile, crosses Chapel Beck and goes round the former stable block, past some open barns, then out through a wide metal gate across a pasture to another metal gate at the top of the field. It then crosses the next field to a stone stile and joins a farm track going uphill with views to the left along the length of Lyth Valley. At the top of the hill the path goes straight ahead through a wooden gate across the lawn and in front of a white painted house (Middle Blakebank) to merge with Broom Lane. After 100 yards take the footpath to the right aross the field to a gate in the opposite right corner to join a track which goes the road by The Smithy.

2 Turn right then after 70 yards go left down a path hedged on both sides. Note that this can be overgrown. Turn left onto the lane at the bottom then left onto the footpath at Moss Side sign-posted A5074 one mile. The path goes to the left of the farmhouse onto a farm track and then through a wooden gate and stile onto a grassy sunken footpath. The hedgerow on the left is a good habitat for wild flowers. After passing through a series of wooden gates with stiles the path emerges into a field and crosses an attractive stone bridge that goes underneath the wall on your right. A hedged path then continues after a set of three metal gates.

3 At the crossing of two footpaths turn right across a stone bridge (Cockmoss Bridge) and through a wooden gate. After crossing another stream this path leads up to the A5074 by the side of the Lyth Valley Hotel. Turn right then cross the road with care to go up the bridleway opposite the hotel parking area. Where the path branches, take the right fork and continue uphill to join a gravel track beside the wood on your right. At a cottage just before the track reaches a tarmacked lane turn right into Durham Bridge Woods.

4 Follow the waymarked footpath through the woods to emerge above Fell Side farm. Crosthwaite church can be seen across the valley. Pass through the farmyard. Where the farm track bends right go straight on and down through a wooden gate and across a field to the main road where you turn left. Cross the road with care and at the bottom of the slope turn right onto a gravel bridleway. After passing a farm and crossing the bridge at Esk Ford, you meet a tarmac lane and turn left past the bungalow called Aspen.

5 Where the lane bends left there is a public bridleway to the right signed Crosthwaite church. Make an excursion to the church (or the Punchbowl Inn next to it) if you wish; otherwise continue along the lane and take the next right onto a stony track. One hundred yards after the right bend go left through a stone slab gap and wooden gate onto a public footpath. The path goes through a series of small walled fields to emerge opposite the tiny Crosthwaite village green.

6 Cross the road and go down the lane opposite, passing North Cottage on your left. At the road junction go straight on along the road signposted Starnthwaite and Crook, then at the top of the slope go right along the footpath signposted Low Fold. After 260 yards the footpath leaves the stony track to the left through a metal gate onto a rocky field and along the left side of a fenced hedge on the right. Follow the waymarked footpath up through the gorse covered hillside to Lord’s Lot, keeping to the right of the central clearing. This would have been common land until 1797 when it was ‘allotted’ to the lord of the manor under the Act of Enclosure. Today, the area is lorded by horned highland cattle (don’t worry, apparently they are shy animals).

7 At the top of the hill the path goes across a boggy area and alongside a fence at the bottom of a steep slope. You then cross a ladder stile into a shallow grassy valley, at the end of which you are rewarded with fine views across to Cunswick Scar. Cross the ladder stile and join a tarmac farm track. At the crossing of footpaths turn right onto the path signed Underbarrow 1.5 miles. The path drops down to a boggy valley which you pass on the left then go uphill towards Mountjoy Wood. At the top of the hill the path goes to the wall by the side of the wood and descends steeply to join a track where you turn right. After 70 yards turn left over a stone stile by the side of meadows and across an attractive gurgling beck down to Broom Lane. Cross the lane to Broom Farm where you turn left after the ornate lamp-post, through a wooden gate and past a recently modernised cottage. After crossing over a ladder stile the path descends across a field towards woods in front of Underbarrow. After two stone stiles the path goes along the side of a hedge and left through a kissing gate beside Chapel Beck to meet the road by Chapel Bridge below the church.

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.