Delightful, disused Broughton railway track is quite level and well surfaced, suitable for wheelchair users and buggy pushers. It passes two fine lakes and continues into the attractive countryside about Broughton.

In 1859 the village of Coniston was linked by rail to Foxfield. The railway enabled large quantities of slate, quarried in the fells, to be carried away for processing. In the late 1960s this delightful nine-mile line, which had also carried goods, tourists, schoolchildren and many passengers, was closed.

The lakes had once adorned the estate of Broughton Tower but, over many years and changes of ownership, nature took over and colonised them with trees, bushes and shrubs.

They were reinstated and in 2003 the Lake District National Park Authority resurfaced the track, dealt with leaks from the lakes, and completed other refurbishments, and the new trail was officially opened.

Since then parents with toddlers, wheelchair users, cycling families, villagers and tourists have delighted in using the track.

Park in the village square, Broughton-in-Furness, grid ref 213876.

1. Leave the square in the direction of the signposted public toilets. Follow the track as it bears right to join the trackbed of the railway. Wind left to pass through a deep rock cutting where, in spring, many wild daffodils flower. Just beyond the end of the cutting is the first of the two artificial lakes, hidden by huge Scots pine and a great bank of rhododendrons. Just before the bridge over the line, on the left, is a fishing stance for disabled anglers and a good view of the lake. Pass under the bridge and up the short sloping path, on the left, to a seat overlooking the beautiful second lake. Pause here to enjoy this lovely corner where coot, mallard, little grebe and mergansers are often seen.

2. Continue past another fishing stance and then head on the lovely way. Look out for the steps, on either side of the trackbed; these allowed people using a footpath to cross the line. Go past a fine conifer plantation and then deciduous woodland that has developed naturally after clearfell of a second plantation. Head on along the level way with grassy slopes to the left and pastures dropping away to the right. Cross a wooden bridge, which has replaced an old stone bridge, high over a farm track.

3. Keep on along the track, now high above fields to your right and with forest trees sloping steeply up to the left. Eventually, after more than a mile from the start, you reach a fence supporting a no path' sign. Here, wheelchair users and buggy pushers will need to return as there is no suitable way for them to return.

Information...

Distance: 3 miles.

Time: 2 hours.

Terrain: Level, easy walking along railway track.

Map: OS Explorer OL 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.