THIS is an easy walk through spectacular limestone country offering stunning views, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. The walk goes from St John’s Church at Hutton Roof and includes little-used footpaths.

Start from St John’s church, Hutton Roof, map reference SD 569 787, postcode LA6 2PH.

INFORMATION

Distance: 4.5 miles with 500 feet of ascent.

Time: 2 hours

Terrain: grassy footpaths (including some that may be overgrown) and quiet lanes.

Map: OS Explorer OL7

ROUTE

1 From the junction beside St John’s Church walk on the road towards Clawthorpe and Burton for 50 yards then turn left onto the footpath with a misspelt sign, which is signed for Hutton Roof Craggs. Ascend the grassy path into woodland. After a quarter of a mile turn right to walk uphill and follow the main path keeping right, along the northern edge of the hill, enjoying excellent views as far as Whinfell Beacon. Further on, Morecambe Bay can be glimpsed to the south west. Take the right fork descending to beside a wall on the right leading to a roadside kissing gate.

2 Turn right and walk down the road for 100 yards then turn left onto the bridleway leading through Whin Yeats Farm. Just before the farmhouse go through a metal gate to the left of the driveway and walk ahead along a grassy lane going through another gate after 100 yards. The track descends the lower slopes of Farleton Fell, turns 90 degrees right and goes through two gates to meet Newbiggin Lane. Turn right, walk along the lane past Newbiggin Farm and after descending past the lowest point turn left onto Jubilee Lane, signed Lupton.

3 After 35 yards turn right through a wooden gate onto a bridleway tunnelled by hedges on both sides. After passing through a metal field gate the hedged bridleway continues ahead but is currently excessively overgrown, so keep to the right. After 600 yards the bridleway meets a road that you may have driven along to the start. Turn left downhill and just before the bridge over Lupton Beck turn right through a metal kissing gate onto the footpath signed Sealford Lane. Walk across a small footbridge and over the field to a double stile in the far hedge. Continue in a straight line diagonally across the next field to a stile in the top right corner. Walk along the left side of the next field going downhill and bending right to cross a stile to the right of a gateway. Head towards Sealford Farm and cross a stile to the right of a barn. Cross the lane right then left, go through a gate, up over a field and across a stile. Keep ahead to cross a stile at the left end of a wall. Turn right, go over a ladder stile then bear left heading directly towards St John’s Church. Go through a wicket gate, along a track beside Pickle Farm then turn left to cross a small meadow. Bear right and cross a field to a roadside gate by the church where the walk began. In the graveyard there is a memorial to the Rev Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC, vicar of Hutton Roof from 1913 to 1918. He was the most decorated non-combatant in the First World War. Hardy was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and the highest honour, the Victoria Cross. He was wounded in action when trying to tend to the wounded and died a week later in Rouen, France, on October 18, 1918, two days before his 55th birthday.

Next week: from Bowness to Hawkshead

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.