This joins Walk 20 of the “Hillwalks from the settle to Carlisle Railway Stations” at the ruined castle, where you can park opposite it. Remember it was renovated by Lady Anne Clifford, whose way you descend later. A lovely summer walk, but equally good in snow, as you can see from the recent photos. Go east up the bridleway starting a few yards south, and press on up to the steep section with cliffs on the right. There are new tree plantings and fencing since the book was written. A track leaves leftwards easily up the slope, then zig-zags right as the track becomes an old hush. You can ascend Whitebank Hill direct or the easier but peatier slopes to the east, then an easy quad track takes you over High Seat, on to Archy Styrigg and then down along the impressive Mallerstang Edge, with views of Wildboar fell opposite, and the Yorkshire peaks southwards. At Hell Gill bridge pick up Lady Anne’s highway northwards, on easy limestone turf, to the Sculpture “Water Cut”, one of ten Eden valley benchmarks, where hopefully there will not be a ti chi class or hippies having a party (it can be a popular spot), then descend gently to the valley road. It is possible, though rougher, to shorten the walk by 1.5 miles by heading for the sculpture from just beyond White Brow.
Go up the road for a few yards and take the path left, across the Eden, and follow its west bank north. The path is mostly signed, poorly towards the end, so keep a close look out and use your map. The castle is hidden until you turn right on the minor road to finish. 9 miles and only 1800 feet of ascent.
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