January
8:00 start with 16:30 return
11.8 miles / 19 km with 2600 ft / 800 m Total Ascent
Many times on the train on the way to The Lakes I have looked up at Reston Scar (255m), which dominates Staveley, and thought that I should explore these lumpy, bumpy hills some time, so to start our walk (or possibly end it depending on the weather) we are going up here to join the energetic runners and dog walkers of Staveley. Next, we head to what may or may not be Hugill Fell (273m), then down to Scroggs Bridge.
We continue via Low Elfhowe, Ghyll Bank and Brunt Knott Farm to the steep climb up Brunt Knott (427m). On a clear day the views from here are extensive towards The Lake District, Morecambe Bay and The Pennines.
From Brunt Knott we continue eastwards to Bridge End in Long Sleddale, a less visited but still lovely, Lakeland valley. The path is quite boggy in places, but is often grassy and a pleasure to walk along. We follow the bridleway along the valley to Garnett Bridge before our last climb of the day up to Gurnal Dubbs then on to Potter Tarn. Looking up at the hills around here, there is plenty more exploring I could do.
From Potter Tarn there are several options for returning to Staveley. I went via Side House, Spring Hag and Staveley Park. Another option, which may be better if it is very wet, is past Birk Field, Littlewood Farm and Barley Bridge.
11 miles / 17.7 km with 1500 ft / 460 m Total Ascent
The charming River Kent leads us out of Staveley beside the road signposted to Kentmere. We branch off on the track towards Browfoot, climbing steadily in the direction of Sour Howes and Sallows mountains, which rise between the valleys of Kentmere and Troutbeck. Before reaching Sour Howes, we turn towards the hamlet of High Borrans and then head up to the Dubbs Road. The route takes us to the top of the Garburn Pass and then up Sallows. From this Wainwright summit, we drop down to the Kentmere Valley head, where we find the ancient manor house and historic St Cuthbert’s Church. The return to Staveley loops through the scenic Green Quarter.
7.7 miles / 12.4 km with 950 ft / 288 m Total Ascent
We leave Staveley village centre before crossing Barley Bridge passing the weir. Continuing up a grassy hillside towards Littlewood Farm and after passing through the next farm we head up to Potter Tarn (with views of the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells from there we continue uphill to Gurnal Dubs another tarn before returning to the stone stile and then downhill to Ghyll Pool. The path then descends steeply to a farm at Hundhowe and finally crossing a wooden bridge at Hagg Foot we follow the Dales Way back to Staveley for refreshments.
6.5 miles / 10.5 km with 400 ft / 120 m Total Ascent
From Staveley we head south east along the Dales Way, but leave it after half a mile to take a footpath across the fields to Winter Lane. This eventually takes us to the village of Bowston, where we cross over the River Kent to join a lane to Braban House.
From here we take a lovely bridle path and a further one to Hagg Foot, where we pick up the Dales Way again. This path follows the River Kent back to Staveley. Happy Days.