Longsleddale (9 miles 14.39 km ) Print

LONGw01 Waypoint 1
Lowfield Lane
Bare left at the bottom of the drive from Maggs Howe and after 100 yds, go through a gate on your left, bridleway sign to Sadgill.


LONGw02 Waypoint 2
Bridleway
Follow this well marked track through another two gates.


LONGw03 Waypoint 3
Bridleway
Bear left at the Y junction do not take the private path straight ahead. [Warning this path becomes a bit rocky]


LONGw04 Waypoint 4
Bridleway
Go through the sheep pens and carry on up the track. [Do stop to enjoy the views before the next gate].


LONGw05 Waypoint 5
Bridleway
Just after the third gate, take the grassy path which veers slightly left and ahead, not the one which goes across in front of you. [Soon you will be able to see Skeggles Waterin front of you.]


LONGw06 Waypoint 6
Bridleway
Ride along passing an old ruined barn on your right. [A good place for a breather but take care, there is a deep drop into the ruin and loose stones on top.]


LONGw07 Waypoint 7
Bridleway
Take the left fork at the finger post, about 100 yds after the ruin.


LONGw08 Waypoint 8
Bridleway
Continue through the gap in the wall to cross Cocklaw Fell. [Proceed with care - the next bit can be boggy. You can usually avoid this by going near the wall on the right. A herd of Fell ponies graze up here and they may come galloping across to investigate who you are. Shout at them if them come too near.]


LONGw09 Waypoint 9
Bridleway
Head for the next gate, cross a stream and follow a waymark passing an old ruin on you left.
Go through the next gate and head for the following one, the path is a little indistinct. [Warning - this is another stretch that can be a bit boggy.]


LONGw10 Waypoint 10
Bridleway
The bridleway soon starts to descend. [But stop to enjoy your first sight of Longsleddale, followed soon after by views of Sadgill and Gatesgarth Pass.]


LONGw11 Waypoint 11
Bridleway
Follow the bridleway posts down the field and cross the stream at the 4th post. Turn sharp right and ride steeply down the left hand side of the stream to Till`s Hole Farm. [There are sheep pens here where you may be able to corral your horses while you have your lunch. But please ask the farmer, Mr Fishwick first (tel. 01539 823237).]


LONGw12 Waypoint 12
Bridleway
Go through the farmyard and turn right before the bridge - do not go over it. Follow the grass track to a gate [Warning - low branches.] and continue along it following the wall [Good for a short canter.]


LONGw13 Waypoint 13
Bridleway
At the next gate the route becomes a cement road. Bear right just before the cattle grid and go through the wooden gate, and then a metal gate.


LONGw14 Waypoint 14
Bridleway
Pass farm buildngs on your right and then a derelict cottage.
Continue along the bridleway, close to the River Sprint, which passes over a wooden bridge.


LONGw15 Waypoint 15
Bridleway
Go through the next gate with no bridleway sign, and along behind Well Foot Farm.


LONGw16 Waypoint 16
Bridleway
Keeping the fence on your left, carry on to Hollin Root Farm, then take the right hand gate and turn sharp right immediately and ride up the field to another gate.


LONGw17 Waypoint 17
Bridleway
Go through this gate and up the rough stony track - this is the hardest part of the ride - through the next gate which is difficult - it swings towards you - take care.


LONGw18 Waypoint 18
Bridleway
Continue to the top of the track, through the gate and follow the wall to the next gate.
The path now swings to the right and onto the open fell. [Look for the 2ft high waymark posts.]


LONGw19 Waypoint 19
Bridleway
Follow this path to the next gate, which maybe open. [Here`s a chance to enjoy the views - The Kentmere Horseshoe and the Coniston Range are just some of the mountains you can see - on a good day!]


LONGw20 Waypoint 20
Bridleway
Proceed downhill and over a little wooden bridge, then take the left hand path, which is the more defined, to the next gate [another difficult one.]


LONGw21 Waypoint 21
Bridleway
In 400 yds you come to a crossing of paths. Your route is to the right, on the least defined path.


LONGw22 Waypoint 22
Bridleway
Turn right on the bridleway. [You are now looking up the Kentmere Valley with Kentmere Hall in the distance.]


LONGw23 Waypoint 23
Bridleway
Follow this lovely grassy path, which descends slowly through numerous gates to Long Houses.


LONGw24 Waypoint 24
Road
Go through your last gate out onto a minor road. Turn right and after a 0.25 mile, bear right and you will soon be back at Maggs Howe.