In the event of anyone actually doing the Settle to Carlisle walk, here’s an alternative from Orton to Crosby Ravensworth which is less exposed in the event of a bad day, has more interest in the form of ancient settlement sites, but does have far more stiles and gates. We encorporated this recently into a circular walk from Crosby R. to Orton, returning via the printed route over Gaythorne Plain on a damp and windy day. 10.2 miles, 4 hours.
From Orton, at the minor road to Raisbeck at 633065, go straight over on path which joins the Orton road just before the village. Eschewing the delights of the chocolate factory and café, or the Orton Scar Café, or not, take the marked path just east of the church (with the odd whitewashed tower), which leads up fields and then down a small defile past “Robin Hood’s Grave”, a large cairn, after which branch right to cross the wall via a gate and on to Crosby Lodge. A track from here leads down to the Lyvennet beck, but cross the feeder Raven’s Gill before it and take the path east of the river, crossing it at the Holme (road) Bridge, immediately turning right on the path just after it. At Crosby Ravensworth, note that the Butcher’s Arms, having become a community owned concern in 2011, is now a welcoming pub with decent beer at a bit under £3 a pint.
For a map of this, see the post of 3rd Feb 2020, which continues as the circular walk mentioned above.
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