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Ravenstonedale Walks

Ravenstonedale and Smardale

Ravenstonedale and Smardale Walk is a 6.5km (4.1m) loop trail starting and returning to Ravenstonedale, Cumbria.
4.1 miles
Moderate
30m
2hrs

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Walk Information

This circular walk takes in the village of Ravenstonedale, Smardale Viaduct and lime kilns. Ravenstonedale parish contains a wealth of wildlife and is steeped in human history. Its church was built in 1744 but originated from Medieval times with many Norman features. The village also has a strong population of Red squirrels. The route skirts Scandal beck, a tributary of the Eden, running beneath the impressive structure of Smardale viaduct which the route crosses for far reaching views of Smardale valley and onto the impressive and recently restored Smardale lime kilns.

Accessibility

Please be aware of livestock whilst walking in the countryside, most cows and sheep on public right of ways are safe but stay alert to the potential risk to you and your walking party, especially with cows and calves (see the link for more info. to stay safe).

Keep your dog on a lead around all livestock, even if your dog is especially well-behaved, the poor sheep don’t know this! Especially in lambing time, try to leave the field as calm as you found it. To learn more about walking in the countryside around farm animals please visit: Countryside Walking Tips: Safety Around Livestock at: www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/other-animal-welfare-concerns/advice-for-walking-in-the-countryside/

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Short walk

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Plan Your Visit
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Nearest Bus Stop: Ravenstonedale lecturing.paraded.inches visit https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/buses/service/572
Nearest Train Station: Kirkby Stephen
Parking: Visitors can park their cars on the triangular car park next to the village school in Ravenstonedale.
Click the button to get directions to this walk route
Weather
River Levels
Low
0.18 metres
Data provided from Kirkby Stephen river station monitoring River Eden

Directions

  • 1
    Start at the school information board. With the board behind you, turn left and follow the road to the junction.
  • 2
    At the junction, turn right. After approximately 100 metres, bear left and cross a wall stile into the field, following the sign for Smardale
  • 3
    Cross the field, heading towards the wall stile directly opposite
  • 4
    Carefully cross the road, then climb over the wall stile opposite
  • 5
    Follow the track, passing through a field gate and walking past a small stone barn
  • 6
    Continue along the track until it curves right into a field. Do not follow the curve—go straight ahead towards the gate at the far corner of the conifer plantation
  • 7
    Continue ahead across this large field, slightly bearing right but keeping below where the ground rises on your right. Go over the wall stile to the left of the gate.
  • 8
    Bear left diagonally across the slope and aim for the bottom of an old quarry ahead, through a gate and across a small sleeper bridge with Scandal Beck down to your left meandering toward Smardale Bridge.
  • 9
    Go pass the quarry and through the gates which brings you on to a track just over and to the right of Smardale Bridge. Turn right, up the wide track sign posted Coast to Coast – Kirkby Stephen 33/4 miles.
  • 10
    Look out for a step-stile over to your left and cross to the other side of the wall.
  • 11
    Turn right and follow a narrow track through a series of old quarries.
  • 12
    Cross another wooden stile in the fence corner and continue toward the viaduct. A step stile brings you out onto the old railway line, where you turn left.
  • 13
    Cross the viaduct and follow the old railway past disused lime kilns until you go under a stone bridge and turn immediately left up some wooden steps.
  • 14
    Cross over the step stile, turn right and follow the fence line until this boundary becomes a stone wall. Now bear left downhill to Smardale Bridge
  • 15
    At Smardale Bridge, turn right along the track and then left up the bank and through the wall stile.
  • 16
    Continue up the slope, heading toward the left-hand end of the conifer plantation. Go through a gap in an earth bank and keep the bank alongside on your right.
  • 17
    When you reach the conifer plantation, go through the gate and continue along the path, with the plantation on your right and a fenced area of naturally regenerated woodland on your left.
  • 18
    Go over a step-stile by a field gate and keep straight on across a big field, bearing slightly right to descend a steep track bearing left down to a pedestrian gate in the stone wall.
  • 19
    Pass through the gate, over the narrow sleeper bridge and up the slope to the farm track.
  • 20
    Follow the farm track for a short distance and bear left down to a pedestrian gate in a wall through which you emerge on another farm track.
  • 21
    Turn right, then left past the little building with a chimney. Go through the field gate, then left through another pedestrian gate.
  • 22
    Follow the path with the beck alongside on your left. Ignore the metal bridge and turn right through the pedestrian gate before the field gate, and turn left through the underpass below the main road.
  • 23
    Continue on a wide track between cottages and out onto the road opposite the ‘King’s Head’ pub.
  • 24
    Cross the road and go down the side of the pub. Climb the stone stairs, through the gate into the playing field
  • 25
    Follow the church path past the church and turn right at the road to the school and car park on your right.

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