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Smardale and Waitby reserve reduced walk.

By Hugh Stewart June 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

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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Download file: smardale.gpx

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

View Book

Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

View Book

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