This nine and a half mile walk shortens Walk 22 in the book, with a more direct approach to the Waitby/Greenriggs reserve. Start at some waste ground on the east of the main road just south of the disused railway line. Go out up the main road a short while to a path R to Intake Bottom, and R just before this across a field, the railway line by bridge, and the field beyond. Here it is not necessary to keep to the path on the map, as a short cut to the L to an obvious gate is well used by walkers. Left on the lane here, till just before Greenriggs, where take the signed path R, and better to take the R branch up and round the barn, as the L branch gets a bit tricky to find. From the top you see the path by the sports field ahead, go downhill to stiles to get to it. At a lane, turn L and follow the path to a minor road at a steep hill, and go left to the reserve just after the second bridge. This year the fly orchids are there as always, but the twayblades were not fully out and the other orchids disappointing. Carry on the disused railway to Smardale, where a new carpark has appeared in the last year, to annoy the snotty local or locals who did their best to stop parking by the Hall track. The walk is now as in the book, except past Smardale Bridge follow the C to C route with its signs to Greenriggs and retrace your steps, or deviate R just past the Settle to Carlisle line and come out at the main road at spot height 203. Smardale wood did not disappoint, with many butterfly orchids, and the track was resplendent with the usual display.
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