WALK: a panoramic fell walk that combines with pleasant riverside footpath and delightful section of the Dales Way

It starts from just outside Sedbergh, follows the Dales High Way over Frostrow Fells to the River Dee then on to the edge of Dent village. Visit the village if you wish then return via the Dales Way along the riverside then over Long Rigg.

Start from Millthrop bridge on the Dent road out of Sedbergh. Parking spaces are immediately on the right once over the bridge (map reference SD 661 912, nearest postcode LA10 5SL).

Information:

Distance: 10.5 miles or 8 miles for a shorter walk with 1,500 feet of ascent

Time: 5 hours

Terrain: grassy footpaths, stony tracks and quiet roads

Maps: OS Explorer OL19 and OL2.

Route:

1 From the bridge walk in the direction of Dent and turn left (signed Millthrop) opposite the end of the parking area. Turn left in the village and after half a mile turn right on to Frostrow Lane. After passing Low and High Hollins Farm the road becomes a stony track. Continue ahead and walk on to the fell bridleway signed Long Moor. Keep to the lower stony path following the lower slopes of the fell. The path, which is boggy in parts, ascends and then goes alongside a wall on the right before descending into Dentdale. Turn right over a gated stile through the wall and descend alongside the wall on the right. Go through a gated enclosure then along a walled downhill grassy track. After passing through gates near a barn continue on the farm track signed Barth Bridge. Turn left along the main road to Barth Bridge. For a shorter walk turn right, cross the bridge and turn right again onto the Dales Way.

2 For the longer walk do not cross the bridge but walk along the lane on the left side of the river. Where the road starts to leave the riverside turn right over a waymarked stile and continue along the riverside to the road bridge. Turn right to cross the bridge. From here, a short excursion may be made to visit Dent village. Otherwise, turn right again to join the Dales Way along the other side of the river (apart a few yards by the roadside) and back to Barth Bridge. Cross the road and continue along the riverside Dales Way path.

3 After one mile the riverside path goes beside a field that tapers to a narrow end. Leave the riverside 100 yards before the end of the field and cross to a stile near long grass. Turn right on to the road and continue past Ellers footbridge. After passing a barn with green doors turn right onto a track signed Gate: Deep Ford. Cross the river by a footbridge on the left and another (Brackensgill Bridge) over the River Dee. A hedged track leads to the road. Turn left then right up a stony lane to the left of Gate Cottage. Turn left at the first junction. The track goes below (in front) of a white house and through a gate into a field and woods then along a walled grassy track with gorse. Pass a fingerpost signed Dales Way and after going through a gate walk straight on towards Sedbergh and down a stony track. Turn right on to the road, walk through Millthrop and turn left to return to where the walk began.

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.