There is an annual long distance walk of 100km (62 miles) which runs from the village called The Three Rings of Shap which is completed as a 24 hour challenge. The route consists of three 33km loops which start and finish at the village hall, competitors can do all three or just one. The routes are very well described below and provide three interesting walks that can be completed from the cottage without the need to use a car.

The full descriptio is below but if you want to print them off you can download the route HERE

Abbreviations

TR Turn Right

TL Turn Left

N, S North, South etc.

XXXm. Approx. distance in metres to next feature

(XXXdeg) Approx. magnetic bearing in degrees to next feature

XX Approx. elapsed distance in kilometres

MOSEDALEKM.

1. Leave Memorial Hall TR & cross road at zebra crossing. TL then TR

into Community Library CP leaving at far side of building. Ahead for 40m.

past Sports Hall to cross stiles then, wall on L, for 150m. stile into copse.

Wall on L for 30m. then leave copse. 350m. in same direction across 4

fields to TL into lane. Thru gate in 200m. (house on R) then along unmade

access road for 500m, crossing stream to minor road. TR for 300m. thru 1

gate to stepping stones over River Lowther.

2. Ahead for 100m. to bear L round house on L then 800m. heading S 2

with wall then river on L to cross minor road just before river bridge. River

on L for 250m. to minor road, TR for 600m. then cross stile on L 20m. 3

after letterbox. Cross field heading W for 200m. to cross stile 10m. to R of

large tree. Same direction for 200m. to rejoin road at junction with farm

access track.

3. Continue 50m. on road to gate (Wet Sleddale reservoir coming into 4

view on L). Continue for 3750m. on road becoming track passing Sleddale

Grange then zigzagging uphill past deserted Sleddale Hall to gate before 5,6

reaching final gate onto open fell (522 107). Aheadfor 1250m.(250deg) on 7

path crossing watershed to pass greencontainer & dropping to bridge in 8

Mosedale in further 750m. (506 100). 9

4. TL after bridge on improving path to Mosedale Cottage in 1200m. 10,11

(seating available). Leave with Cottage on your R to deer fence on

R for 50m. then uphill on faint track. Leave track soon to follow stream

on your R and continue uphill to stream junction. Follow L (southerly)

branch until source in 500m. Same direction (W) for 150m. to reach wall. 12

TR for 700m, wall on L, to wall/fence corner. 13

5. (Visit the adjacent summit of Branstree if desired - at 713m. this is the

high point of the walk). TR for 1900m. keeping fence on R, descend to 14,15

col then re-ascend to reach Selside Pike (491 112). TR & descend for 16

900m.,fence still on R, to cross Hobgrumble Gill. Over next rise for 500m. 17

then bearL away from fence when descent steepens and head downhill

to ruined wall. Follow wall as it bears R (50deg) to reach river. TL to find

faint path near riverbank. Continue CAREFULLY downhill admiring pools

& waterfalls. Path is indistinct at times but scenery is idyllic, aiming for 18

foot bridge atbottom (507 116). Note that bridge is not marked on map.

6. Cross bridge & stile then on path, indistinct at times, for 1500m, 19

wall then river on L, to second small gate then footbridge over stream.

(Ignore any large gates and do NOT cross river.)

Bear L in 150m. at wall corner down towards stepping stones 20

(do not cross).

7. TR on good path before reaching river. Ahead for 1500m. on rising

traverse, general direction (60deg). When path levels keep ahead 21,22

same direction for 500m. on path coming in from R to meet wall after

boggy area. TR for 50m. to wall corner, ahead for 50m. across stream.

TL for 200m. to meet farm road. TL and cross bridge to Tailbert Farm. 23

8. TR on reaching fence and continue for 700m, fence then wall on

L, dropping down to minor road. TR for 40m. to end of railings

then TL for 50m. to stile/gate. Cross field (30deg) down hill for 200m. 24

to difficult gate (aiming for house) thru paddock for 30m.(shed on R)

to next gate then pass to R of house (Rayside) on track. Track becomes

minor road in 100m. passing house on L. Turn L in further 200m. (when

road bends sharply R) to gate. Across small field between ruins

to stile then downhill (290deg) thru next field for 250m. to fence corner.

Downhill further 20m. to cross Parish Crag bridge. TR for

600m. fence then wall on R to TR at gate/stile onto road at bend. Cross

bridge in 30m.(534 165) and uphill into Rosgill. 25

9. TR in 400m. at FP sign, thru garden & 3 small fields (wall on R 26

2 fields) to gate. Wall still on R for 1400m. thru 4 large fields to stile 27

by house. Cross concrete road then field for 100m. same direction to

gate/stile, Shap Abbey close on R. Ahead, fence on R, thru large 28

field to next gate/stile. Wall now on L to climb indistinct stile (after trees)

on L in 200m. Wall now on R to wall corner, ahead for 50m. to next corner

then pick up thin path with wall on L for 150m. to stile into garden. Ahead

50m. across cattle grid to TL on road near Keld. TR in 30m. over hidden 29

stile into field. TL up thru 3 fields, wall on L, for 600m. crossing lane then

same direction (Goggleby stone on R) across next field. Exit into enclosed

path then next field, wall on R, for 200m. thru gate then between houses

for 50m. to road. TR into West Close (Wasdale on R – honestly). Same direction past The Lynchetts and Peggy Nut Croft. TL before gate, up side

of Community Library into car park. TL and cross A6 at zebra crossing to Memorial Hall opposite (563 151). 30

LYVENNET, LEITH & LOWTHER

1. Leave Hall & TL into car park to exit by gate at rear into playing

field. Wall on L to end of field then TL thru green gate. Wall on R to end

of next field, over step stile in wall & TL into lane. Over further stile to

reach road at gate then TR & TR again in 20m. In 100m. road becomes

track and crosses railway – immediately turn TL then TR in 10m. to gate

accessing enclosed path. Continue up sometimes slippery sunken

path between walls to squeeze stile in 300m. Enter narrow field keeping

wall on L to next stile in 200m. as field broadens. Bear half L for 50m to 31

next stile sign posted Hardendale. Pass to R of pylon to line of old wall

in 150m. then uphill further 100m. to boulder. At brow of hill half R to

cross motorway footbridge in 300m.(110deg).

2. TR on track then TL in 20m. thru kissing gate before metal gate.

Up field with wall on R for 200m. to stile in corner, continue uphill 300m.

to next stile after field narrows becoming track. Same direction 250m. to 32

stile in corner to R of farm buildings. Same direction 50m, aim for house,

to cross stile by power pole to Hardendale (583 147).

3. TR then TL in 10m. thru gate to track passing houses to stile/gate

in 30m. into field. Ahead 50m. to cross indistinct stile to R of two gaps

then cross further two fields with wall on L. After second stile 30m. 33

to wall end then same direction (80deg) across open land to signpost

on minor road. TR then TL in 20m. over stile into wood following

footpath on same bearing uphill to exit wood in 250m. Cross stile & wall

(care) then ahead same direction to gate in 200m. (large quarry on right).

Ahead uphill on pasture (80deg) to reach wall in 400m. Cross indistinct 34

stile which is 50m. L of corner. Cross lane & stile opposite then down

field to find further stile in wall on R 20m. before wood. Cross & TL for

400m. on track with wall & wood on L to gate onto minor road (604 150).

4. Ahead down road (ignore stile into wood) 400m. to TL for 50m.along 35

edge of wood to gate & SP . Ahead (N) to next gate at end of wood.

Ahead (wall on R) as track appears in 50m. dropping down L & R to

gate. TR onto track to Wickerslack Farm . TL in 40m. between farm buildings

thru gate(s) onto track. 100m. to next farm then on track 200m. to pass thru

gate directly ahead at FP sign (leaving track as it swings away L). 36

5. Continue N on fields with wall on R to gate in 300m. (If clear note

Cross Fell and Maulds Meaburn village to right). Downhill for 250m, fence

then wood on R, to go thru gate on R just before corner. TL in 5m. over stile

crossing open field with stream in gully to stile at corner of wood onto

track. TL for 300m. to pass Reagill Grange (note unusual chimneys). 37

TL 30m. after house over stile into wood at 3-finger sign post for Reagill.

Ascend thru wood on path to exit in 400m. by 3 stiles & foot bridge.

TR by converted barn & follow track 100m. up to Reagill (604 174).

6. TR on road for 100m. then TR at Appleby sign & 100m. downhill

(note statues over wall on left) to T-junction. Ahead thru gate at FP sign

into field, wall on R for 300m. to stile then wall on L for 400m. thru 3 fields

to gate near FP sign. Down next field in same direction, row of trees on 38

R for 200m. to enter wood at stile & footbridge (30m.L of corner). Follow

yellow markers on posts for 400m. thru wood in general direction (50deg)

to exit onto minor road (615 184). 39

7. TL on road for 300m. then TR at T-junction (Lowfield Farm), downhill

200m. TL at road bend thru rusty gate then (ignoring first stile) cross

footbridge & stile in 50m. on R. Ahead on 50deg in shallow valley for

100m. to reach usually dry stream bed in 100m. Fence on R, trees on L 40

for 150m. then cross to N side of beck at bend. Same direction for 50m.

to join farm track at large tree. TL for 300m. to cross footbridge. TR 10m.

then TL 10m. between buildings to cobbles & 2 gates into pasture.

Stream then fence on R for 250m. to stile in corner to join River Lyvennet .

TL downstream over small bridge then 50m. to stile, then next stile at

fallen tree in 100m. 150m. over 2 stiles onto farm track. 41

8. TR and cross river on stepping stones, proceed up minor road 150m,

passing farm, to FP sign on L in further 50m. at right bend. TL (330deg)

across pasture to footbridge in 150m. Same general direction 100m.

to gate. Ahead on thin path bearing R, wood on R, to stile in 250m.

Along river bank 100m. to next stile then, ignoring footbridge on L, 42

continue with river on L up & down on thin path to reach track by bridge.

9. Cross track & follow river bank for 500m. to join road below Kings

Meaburn (619 211). Cross road & continue for 900m. on riverside footpath

(SP Morland) (soon note Jackdaws’ Scar – do not climb). TL to cross 43

Chapel Bridge and leave R. Lyvennet. Uphill for 50m. to pass houses,

TR on track then TL 10m. Continue on track for 1200m. R, L & R to road. 44

TL for 150m. down to Morland, bear L after 30mph sign into Lowergate 45

to cross white bridge over Morland beck in 150m. (600 224).

10. TR along Water St. for 150m to T-junction (Crown Inn on R). TL for

50m. then TR opp. Mother Croft up steps into lane, L & R to enter church

yard. Ahead with church on L to leave yard by white gate, TR down steps

to lane then path to rejoin beck. Cross bridge & TL into field (SP Glenton).

Continue for 700m. with beck on L to cross next footbridge. Beck now on 46

R for 250m. before bearing L uphill away from beck (ignore FP on R).

Hedge on R for further 300m. to cross stile and TL into lane. Follow lane

R & L to main road in 500m. TR with care on narrow road for 200m.

bearing R on track at FP sign when road swings sharply L. 47

11. Thru gate in 150m, further gate in 50m. into field. Downhill fence on

R for 250m. to next gate. Bear half L across field (290deg), aim for

church & drop down to bridge over River Leith in 200m. at Cliburn 48

(589 244). TR over bridge, uphill for 150m. TL into Rectory Farm at

FP sign. Follow yellow arrows thru farmyard – R, L & R to exit farm on

track downhill 100m. into field.

12. Contour R edge of field for 150m. to stile (do not go uphill).

TR into next field with trees on R, track bears R & is left when it

straightens by sandstone outcrop. Ahead (300deg.) for 200m, keeping

to L of line of hawthorns, to stile in fence/hedge corner after solitary

gatepost. Fence on R for 100m. to next stile then aim slightly L for next

stile in 50m. on river bank. River on L (note sandstone cliff ahead on 49

right) for 200m. to join road at Commonholme Bridge (576 248). TR on

road for 500m. to T junction, TL onto busier road (beware traffic) for 50

1200m. to FP sign on L. TL for 300m,crossing footbridge. TL for 50m. 51

to black gate. TR onto track for 350m. then ahead past metal 7 bar gate

onto path between wall and hedge for 250m.(Do not continue on track

thru garden centre). TR onto 2^nd.track (barn on your R) becoming road

into Melkinthorpe. TL in 100m. passing ford, car park then bridge

(all on the L) near Fern Cottage in further 100m. 52

13. Climb stile on R at end of garden & TL up field with fence on L

(ignoring broken stile). Ahead thru gates into lane for 100m. then TR

over stile. TL along field edge to pass thru gate at end of field in 200m. 53

Bear R into lane again to further gate/stile in 100m. Lane soon broadens, continue with hedge/fence on R to open field in 100m. Keep to R edge of

field (motorway looming ahead) to join minor road at gate/stile in 300m.

(549 243).

14. TL on road then TR thru gate in 100m. TL to corner then TR up field,

fence on L, to pass thru gate ahead in 150m. TL (ignore gate) & climb 54

stile in 100m. TR with wall on R to gate in 100m. onto track over railway. Continue on track 400m. TL then TR under motorway then uphill further 55

300m. to reach A6 at Hackthorpe (542 232).

16. TL & cross road with care passing Lowther Castle pub in 100m.

TR at FP sign High Knipe into lane alongside pub CP to field, hedge

on L to opening in 250m. Cross next field (200deg) for 300m. to gate in

corner. TR between walls for 100m. to next gate (good view of Lowther 56

Park), half L downhill for 300m, deer fence on R to estate road at FP

signs. Cross & uphill same direction to fence in 150m. Bear L with fence,

field & wood on R for 1000m. thru 1 gate to gate at wood corner (539 212). (East Lakeland coming into view). TR uphill between fence & wood then 57

same direction for 800m. to next wood corner at 3^rd. gate. Onto track

leaving in 10m. as it bears left, ahead for 100m. between large trees to 58

road. Ahead 20m. to gate, cross field (220deg) for 150m. to gate into

wood. TL for 40m.downhill to deer fence, uphill for 100m, fence on R, to

leave wood at gate.

16. Cross next field (250deg) thru dip to gate at fence corner in 250m.

(Village on hillside half right is Helton). Downhill fence on R for 150m. to 59

fence corner, TL for 100m. along line of large trees(on R) to gate. Same

direction for 70m. to double gates, 50m. to next gate, ahead wall on R to

join track by barn. Ahead then soon downhill on track for 400m.(phone

mast on right) to High Knipe. Keep wall & fence on R thru farmyard 60

then TR downhill on road for 500m. to junction.

16. Ahead downhill (260deg) for 300m. to suspension bridge over 61

River Lowther. Cross bridge, TL over stile to riverbank. River on L for

1200m. to join road after gate at end of path. (Note minor diversion of

path L over ladder stile just before road). TL for 200m.on road then TL 62

again over bridge into Bampton Grange (521 180) to church. TR into churchyard at FP sign opp. Crown & Mitre then gate into field. Ahead

100m. to next stile. River on R for 1500m. thru field, lane then 3 fields 63

to gate onto track. Track joins road in 100m (farm on L), TL in 200m. 64

at stile/black gate when road bends right. Up field (120deg) for 100m.

past power pole, same direction for 150m. to stile in wall (corner 30m. to R)

then 75m. to gate into road at Rosgill (537 168).

TL on road then TR in 5m. thru garden & 3 small fields (wall on R

2 fields) to gate.

19. The next 2500m. passes thru several fields (110-120deg) & is

followed more easily together with the 1:25000 map but is described in

detail as follows).

• TL (110deg) uphill for 200m. to gate by lone tree 30m. to R of

dead tree. 65

• Ahead for 100m. across corner of next field to stile in wall.

• Ahead (120deg) for 200m. to stile next to gate.

• Same direction for 150m. to stile in wall.

• Further 150m. bearing slightly R at top of field to stile 5m. to L

of wall corner.

• Keep close to wall on L in narrow field for 200m. to step stile

(after group of trees over wall on L).

• Downhill for 300m, wall on R, to wooden stile at fence/wall corner. 66

• Ahead for 200m.(110deg) to stile in corner onto road at FP sign

(552 160).

• TR for 100m. then TL over stile into field at FP sign.

• Thru 3 fields (115deg) – 200m. to gate, 200m. to gate in corner,

corner, 350m. to gate in corner to road at FP sign. 67

19. TL for 100m. then TR into lane as road bends right before 30 mph sign.

Along lane parallel to main street for 500m. becoming back road to

West Close and Wasdale. Same direction past The Lynchetts and

Peggy Nut Croft. TL before gate, up side of Community Library into car

park, cross A6 at zebra crossing to Memorial Hall opposite. 68

GREAT ASBY

1. Leave Hall & TL onto Main Street for 300m. TL into Moss Grove opp.

Kings Arms (SP Coast-to-Coast & Hardendale). TR in 100m. Ahead 50m.

onto track as road ends. TL to cross railway, keep on track for 500m. to

FP sign (C2C) then gate/stile in 50m. Ahead wall initially on R (135deg) 69

thru 3 fields to cross motorway foot bridge. TR for 300m,fence/motorway

on R, to wall on L for 30m. Uphill away from M’way under power lines 70

(pole 10m. on L) to gate in 250m. Same direction for 100m. to cross road

(Nab House on L) SP Oddendale. Same direction (110deg) initially for

300m. to wall, swinging L up path 20m. before wall to gate/stile in 100m.

Ahead on path downhill, wall then fence still on R, for 150m. to stile in

fence corner. 10m. to steps down & up crossing quarry access road. 71

TL onto unmade road for 500m. to minor road. TR for 100m. then TR on track(170deg) at C2C sign. The hamlet on your L is Oddendale (593 134).

2. This section may be confusing in poor visibility.

Ahead for 1000m. on track, wall & wood on L initially, to large walled 72

enclosureon R (Potrigg). Same direction for 450m.(160deg) then bear 73

half L at second post (C2C). Continue for 200m.(130deg) to wood corner.

Follow series of marker posts uphill for 400m.(100deg) then, swinging

gradually to S, descend to cross R.Lyvennet in further 600m. 74

(after large boulder). Uphill with posts (160deg) for 500m. to wall corner.

TL ,wall on L, for 1300m. (Robin Hood’s Grave is nearby to the R in 75

second dip!). When wall turns L (620 111) keep ahead (60deg) on path, 76

bearing R before wall, descend to stile & bear R to join road (700m.) 77

Cross road R to wall then TL at wall corner for 10m.before bearing R

for 200m.(120deg) into shallow valley. Head R up valley (S) to road in

700m. TR for 400m. with road (thin path alongside) to junction (629 099). 78

3. TL uphill, leaving modern C2C route, with wall on R for 700m. to 79

Beacon Hill (visit Jubilee Monument of 1887 if you wish). Continue

further 400m. to stile/gate on R in wall (50m. before corner). Ahead

(140deg) to path leading down to gate in 300m.(DO NOT GO THRU).

TL before gate on path (65deg) for 400m. to gate into Great Asby 80

Scar (National Nature Reserve).

(NB. If dark keep wall on your R and follow round to gate into NNR)

Head down path (bear R in 400m. at bridleway sign) to leave Reserve in

1100m. Same direction (NE) for 500m. to enclosed lane after 2^nd.gate 81

then 800m. to join road (SP Coppermines Lane) (664 115). Same 82

direction for 1800m.on road, passing farm buildings. 83,84

3. TL over stile (SP to Gaythorne Hall) at Great Asby sign. Downhill

for 300m. thru gate to road. TL for 300m. on road over bridge,

now on Westmorland Way. ForkR after cattle grid up concrete road. 85

Leave road after 1000m. at entrance to Halligill Farm. Ahead to stile 86

then cross next stile in wall on R in 100m. just after first gate. Bear L

for 200m.(290deg) to waymarked wooden stile in far corner into wood.

Stay close towall on L for 100m. to cross stile in wall. Head away from

wall (310deg) for 900m. with copse on R then cross two stiles & stream 87

to meet fence coming in from R. Exit field on track thru gate to Gaythorne

Hall (649 133). TR on bridleway keeping Hall on L to TL thru gate into

small paddock in front of Hall. Ahead thru gates to farm drive. Continue 88

up surfaced drive for 1100m. to reach minor road. 89

5. TR for 400m. to TR again on busy B6260 road (CARE).

TL in 600m. at high point (FP sign) then gradually downhill (300deg) on 90

green path for 1200m. Halfway down path swings R (340deg) with wall 91

on L to join farm access road for further 1000m. Bear L just before 92

30mph sign down to footbridge. TR into lane then TL into back road

leading into Crosby Ravensworth (622 148).

6. TL into main street near church then TR in 200m.over bridge by

phone box. TL after bridge leaving village by back road swinging R in 93

50m. Keep on tarmac for 1500m. until end then same direction for

1300m. thru fields to Oddendale. Follow track up between buildings to 94

cattle grid at top. (593 134). 95

6. TR over cattle grid onto road for 100m. TL on unmade road for 500m. 96

(pass blasting sign – beware flying boulders). TR at green Private

sign, down & up steps across quarry access road. TR 10m. to stile.

TL for 150m. uphill, fence/wall on L to stile/gate. Ahead downhill with

wall on L for 100m. At bottom TR away from wall on rising track (320deg) 97

250m. to road. TR for 400m. on road leaving it to follow wall as road

swings R uphill. Wall on L for 50m. to TL over stile just after first gate.

Ahead (W) 150m. to stile in wall. Same direction for 300m. across rough 98

pasture to cross Motorway footbridge. TR for 600m. thru 3 fields (320deg)

to gate/stile in corner. Between walls for 50m. to FP sign Shap & down 99

track 500m. to cross railway. In 30m. swing R to join road, TL in

50m, then R in 50m. onto A6 at Kings Arms. Along Main street for 300m.

to reach Memorial Hall on R (563 151).

100

WELL DONE

22.4.07