THIS splendid walk starts at Castlerigg Stone Circle, just two-miles from Keswick, and continues through the delightful Naddle Valley to the church of St John’s-in-the-Vale. The return is beside the lonely, lovely Tewet Tarn. The views are magnificent in all directions.

Park in the layby opposite to the circle, grid ref 292237. To reach this, if coming from Kendal on the A591, turn right at Chestnut Hiill and a few yards along take the signposted right turn for the circle.

1 From the layby go through the entrance gate opposite to read the information panel and then wander around the ancient stones and enjoy the magnificent site. Then leave by the entrance, turn right and walk for 50 yds to take the signposted, gated footpath on the right. Stride ahead over the pasture, keeping roughly parallel with the wall on your right, and with woodland on your left. Carry on to pass through a gate into a smaller pasture, which you leave by another gate. From here, keep ahead beside woodland on your left and, when the trees cease, wind round right with a fence (on your left) to reach a hidden wide track, in the top corner, leading to a large gate. Once through, pass between High Nest and its converted outbuildings along the now reinforced track.

2 Just before the cattle grid, go through a gate on the left and descend below wintry oaks and follow the track as it winds round left, to an almost obscured stile onto the access track to Low Nest. Turn right to walk a few steps to the side of the A591. Bear left along a narrow path beside the busy road for 30 yards to climb a signed step stile on the left. Beyond, strike right across the pasture to climb another step stile. Turn towards the wall on your left and follow it down to go through the gate in the bottom left corner to join a wide track.

3 Continue to cross a tractor bridge and to reach a three-armed signpost (very battered and away by the hedge on the right). Walk left along a wide grassy swathe in the direction of St John’s-in-the-Vale church. The waymarked path leads you to a high-level, very narrow gated footbridge. Carry on to pass Sykes farmhouse on your left and then go through the signed stile in the wall. Climb the faint path up the slope passing between outcrops and then veer right to a stile onto a wide track used by vehicles. Climb left up its steep hair-pin bend or use the grassy ‘by-passes’ and carry on the lovely way to reach the Carlisle Diocesan Centre, once a school, and then to the tiny welcoming church. It lies snugly under High Rigg and serves both the Naddle valley folk and those of St John’s-in-the-Vale.

4 Just opposite the old school, take the signposted step stile through the wall on the left. Head on the grassy swathe that leads you below the left side of Low Rigg and then up to a step stile over the wall ahead. Carry on along the continuing grassy way, with Tewet Tarn appearing right and below. Wind slightly right to go through a stile beside a gate and then pause to enjoy the lovely, lonely pool in its glorious setting. When the sun is shining the reflection of Lonscale Fell is most attractive.

Walk the path beside the tarn and, just beyond, climb a stepped stile. Ascend gently until you can see a signpost, on the otherside of a gully, directing you right along a wall. Wind round with it to pass through a wall gap. Descend the pasture to a gate in the bottom right corner, to join a road. Turn left and stroll to the T-junction, where you go left again. Then take the next left and walk on to cross Naddle Bridge. Just beyond, climb the stile on the left and cut across the corner of the pasture to take another. Head left to the wall and then keep up beside it (on your left) as directed, to join a narrow road. Press on left, pass Goosewell Farm and continue to the layby at the stone circle.

Information Distance : 4 miles. Time: 2-3 hours. Terrain: easy walking for most of the way. Tracks can be muddy after rain and icy in parts after the cold weather. Some road walking.

Map: OS Explorer OL4 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.