Grizebeck walk

It lies north of the tiny village of Grizebeck and of the A5092, along which hurry many vehicles, their occupants unaware of the gentle countryside that lies to the north.

There are specacular views from most of the paths and tracks.

Park beside the Greyhound Inn in the village of Grizebeck, grid ref 239850.

To reach this turn south at the junction of the of the A5092 with the A595, south-east of the garage.

1 Return to the junction of the A-roads and cross, with care.

Walk left along the busy road to a metalled access track, leaving on the right, just before the last dwelling of the village, once the old school.

Continue uphill to pass Tenter Bank farm. Just beyond, ignore a track, left, and go ahead along a pleasing grassy path beside the wall on the right, which soon becomes walled on both sides. Pass a waymark, keep beside the wall on the left and climb gently.

Carry on between the ruined buildings of Well Wood farm. Bear right to walk another delightful grassy way beside the forest wall on your left and walled pasture to your right.

2 Pause when you reach the corner of the forest and a grassy clearing to enjoy the spectacular view of the Coniston range of fells.

Negotiate a gate, beside the wall on your right, to continue through another to begin a steady descent on another pleasing walled track, with the magnificent views still away to your left.

Then, where the path suddenly becomes muddy and you can see a stile ahead, turn right through an unsigned gate and walk ahead beside the wall on your left.

Press on along a continuing track that goes on ahead, dropping to the fell road.

3 Turn left and walk a short way up the lane. At Heathwaite Farm, take the signed right turn to climb up through the farm’s outbuildings.

Pass through the gate and go on up the pasture to a waymark against the hedge.

Turn right and watch out for the easy-to-miss very narrow gate in the hedge to walk in front of a building.

Turn right at the ‘footpath’ sign and go through the next gate.

4 Slant left across the corner to go up a little slope in the hedge to join a grassy trod and walk the pleasing way.

Go through a gate and then, a short way along, take the signposted stile over the fence, on the right.

Turn left and wind around with the hedge and, also, where it soon begins to descend, to reach a stepped stile.

Beyond go on along a narrow path, under Cat Nest hill, that brings you to a gate just before Knott End house.

Turn right soon to join its access track that winds gently downhill to cross a bridge over Press Beck.

Immediately beyond, turn right to climb a short way up rough ground, beside the wall on your right, to join the metalled access track to Knittleton Farm.

5 Walk on to pass through two farm gates. Turn half left in the yard to go through another on to a grassy track, keeping parallel with the wall on your right.

Follow this lovely high-level way, with splendid views over the Coniston range and also out over the estuary.

Follow this to pass through a gate and then continue on, first climbing a little and then descending to join a track.

Turn left and go on down to reach a gate on the right on to a track between the outbuildings of Ashlack Hall.

6 Go ahead to join a metalled lane, with the splendid house away to your left.

Stroll on down the hill, with Grize Beck dancing downhill too.

Follow the lane as it bears right and brings you to the side of the A5902.

Cross with care and wind around left to return to the parking area.

Distance: 6 miles. Time: 3-4 hours. Terrain: Generally good. A little lane walking. Map: OS Explorer 6.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.