Black Combe WalkAs the train makes its way around the Duddon Estuary the impressive profile of Black Combe dominates the skyline. Between sea and mountains, this modest peak has some of the best long distance views in the country.

Grade: Time/Effort 3, Navigation 3, Technicality 2 Start/Finish: Silecroft Railway Station (GR SD 130 819)Distance: 9.5 miles (15.2km)Time: 5 hoursHeight gain: 665mMaps: OS Landranger 96, OS Outdoor Leisure 6, Harveys’ Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland South & Western Lakeland, British Mountain Maps Lake District (1:40 000)

1. Turn left out of the station, through the village, past the Miners’ Arms to a junction. Turn left along the A5093 for 250m to a junction. Turn right; follow the A595 to a lane on the left for Kirkbank.

2. Take the lane at the side of the church to a small group of houses, head around the back of the houses to a junction.

3. Follow the bridleway on the right as it climbs steeply up by the side of Moorgill Beck. The track levels at the top of the gill by Townend Knotts.

4. Climb north to the summit of Black Combe (shelter and trig point). For a shorter walk retrace your steps back to Silecroft.

5. Descend to the northeast; follow the vague path as it skirts the top of Black Combe Screes and swings north. Go north then northwest down the steep grassy slope past the head of Hentoe Beck to pick up a track.

6. Follow this west then north then southwest across fellside for 2.5km to cross a ford. Follow the good track south for 3.2km past Whitbeck to join the A595 at Townend Hall.

7. Go south east for 2.4km to the turn off for Silecroft and back to the station.

8. If the A595 is busy a high level path is available. At Townend Hall turn left and follow the path beside Townend Gill. Above the intake wall the path climbs across the fellside to a level shoulder. Continue south east across the shoulder then follow the path down a steep hairpin bend to the Black Combe bridleway. Turn right and retrace your steps to the station.

Eskdale and RavenglassAdjacent to the main line station at Ravenglass is the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. This narrow gauge steam railway heads east from Ravenglass and winds its way through the beautiful valley of Eskdale to its terminus at Dalegarth at the foot of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. It’s a superb way to access many delightful walks.

Grade: Time/Effort 3, Navigation 1, Technicality 1 Start (walk): Dalegarth Station (GR NY 173 006)Finish (walk): Ravenglass Station (GR SD 085 964)Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6km)Time: 4-5 hoursHeight gain: 220mMaps: OS Landranger 89 & 96, OS Outdoor Leisure 6, Harveys’ Superwalker Western Lakeland (part coverage)

1. From Dalegarth Station turn right and follow the road to the first turning on the left. Follow the lane to a fork; take the right branch over the River Esk. Pass the car park and follow the permissive path to a bridleway after the entrance to Dalegarth Hall.

2. Turn right and follow the bridleway alongside the river to join the valley road at Forge Bridge.

3. Do not cross the bridge; turn left and follow road to Forge House and a track on the right. Follow this west across a bridge to Muncaster Head. Continue past and turn left on to a track/bridleway. Follow it as it heads generally southwest for 2km to a fork after High Eskholme. Follow the left branch alongside a plantation. Once past the trees follow the bridleway to the A595.

4. Turn left for 200m to a path (by Hirst Lodge) on the right (the Cumbria Coastal Way). Follow it southwest alongside the river and past Muncaster Castle, then northwest around the base of Newtown Knott, then north past the Roman Bath House to Ravenglass.

For a great saving buy a through ticket to combine Northern Rail and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway from any staffed station or from the conductor on the train.

Silecroft Standing Stones and the beach Between sea and mountains the narrow coastal strip at the southwest corner of Cumbria makes a superb place to stretch the legs. It’s easy to access the rolling network of lush pasture and wind-sculpted dunes leading down to expansive beaches.

Grade: Time/Effort 2, Navigation 1, Technicality 1 Start/Finish: Silecroft Railway Station (GR SD 130 819)Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)Time: 2 hoursHeight gain: 50mMaps: OS Landranger 96, OS Outdoor Leisure 6, Harveys’ Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland South & Western Lakeland, British Mountain Maps Lake District (1:40 000)

1. Turn right out of the station past the signal box. Turn left just after the de-restriction road signs and follow the lane for 30m. Turn left on to the path between the bungalows and follow to a gate and stile.

2. Climb the stile and head across the field in the direction of distant buildings. At the top corner of the field climb over the stile and follow the beck past a field bridge to a cross a footbridge, which is gated. Continue alongside the beck and follow the field boundary to the left past the farm, then left again to the standing stones; Giants Grave.

3. Retrace the route along the edge of the field to a stile in the corner to the left of the farm. Cross the stile, turn left, then at the end of the track turn right and continue to the beach (about 1 mile).

4. For a shorter walk turn right towards the houses. Go beyond the second house, past wooden steps, to reach a gap in the dunes, the entrance to Silecroft Heath. Enter the gap and pass through the gate. After about 20m turn left and cross the stile behind a bungalow. Head to the road, turn right back to Silecroft station.

5. For the longer walk turn left and follow the beach first to Haverigg and then beside Hodbarrow Lake to Millom.

Drigg WalkThe beaches at Drigg are a real hidden gem just waiting to be explored; they extend from the mouth of the River Irt in the south to the picturesque seaside village of Seascale in the north and are backed by a wild and rarely trodden range of dunes.

Grade: Time/Effort 1, Navigation 1, Technicality 1 Start/Finish: Drigg Railway Station (GR SD 063 988)Distance: 4 miles (6.4km)Time: 2 hoursHeight gain: 50mMaps: OS Landranger 96, OS Outdoor Leisure 6, Harveys’ Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland South & Western Lakeland, British Mountain Maps Lake District (1:40 000)

1. From Drigg station turn right and follow Shore Road south then west around the perimeter of the wooded plantation to a gate by the road head car park. Watch out for the barn owl, this woodland is part of its territory! Deer and red squirrels can sometimes be seen too.

2. Go through the gate; follow the path down to the beach and turn right. If the tide is high it’s a bit of a scramble over pebbles and eroded bits of sand dune but if the tide is out it’s a wide stretch of smooth sand, with occasional rock pools. Just over a kilometre up the beach a large partially buried boulder will come into view. This is Carl Crag, and it marks the point to either loop back to Drigg or continue on towards Seascale.

3. A hundred yards or so beyond Carl Cragg is a track at Low Moor (bridleway). To return to Drigg follow the bridleway northeast to cross the railway line and join the B5344. Turn right back to Drigg. Alternatively, continue along the beach to Seascale to catch the train for the return back to Drigg.

This leaflet is designed to help piece together the network of footpaths and to offer some truly spectacular route ideas. So long as the routes stick to the rights of way, walk away!

Before setting off on any of these walks please make sure you have plotted the route using the appropriate map.

Western Lake District walks from the railway

western lake districtwalks from the railway

Useful informationgetting there by trainThe scenic Cumbria Coastal Line runs between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle with stops at several stations along the coast including Silecroft, Drigg and Ravenglass, the starting points of these walks. Timetables are available from www.northernrail.org

Remember, there are no trains on Sundays!

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway runs between the delightful coastal village of Ravenglass and Dalegarth Station at the foot of some of Cumbria’s most stunning mountains. The narrow gauge railway first opened in 1875 to ferry iron ore from Boot to Ravenglass but is now a popular tourist attraction running steam trains along the 7 mile line. www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

The Cumbrian Coast Day Ranger ticket provides the freedom to explore the Cumbrian coast by train. The ticket is valid for one day’s travel, hopping on and off as required, so enjoy a totally car-free day! The Cumbria Round Robin ticket is valid for a circular journey in any direction between Barrow-in-Furness, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Penrith and Lancaster on any one day. The Lakes Day Ranger ticket allows flexible exploration of the Lakes by train, boat and bus. The ticket is valid for one day’s travel on selected trains and Stagecoach buses within the Lake District. The Ranger ticket also entitles the holder to discounted cruises on the Keswick Launch, Coniston Launch or Ullswater Steamers, and savings on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - the ideal way to save money and enjoy a car-free day. www.northernrail.org/offers/dayrangers

accommodation and tourist informationVisit www.golakes.co.uk/stay to search for local accommodation. For tourist information enquiries contact Broughton Information Centre (Tel: 01229 716115) or Whitehaven Information Centre (Tel: 01946 598914). Futher information about the area can also be found by visiting www.western-lakedistrict.co.uk

weather The weather in Cumbria can change quickly, particularly on the fells where clear morning skies can rapidly give way to rain, sleet or even snow on the summits, so be prepared! Changes in weather can dramatically alter the difficulty of a route so please consider this before you set off. Call 0844 846 2444 or visit www.lake-district.gov.uk/weatherline to check the forecast.

practical informationAppropriate clothing can make all the difference. It is important that you are warm, comfortable and dry when out exploring so make sure you have the appropriate kit and plenty of layers.

Your rucksack should hold everything you need and be carried comfortably. Have extra layers, a hat and gloves, enough food and drink, and a first aid kit. A compass, map and the knowledge to use them can prove invaluable.

Mobile phone reception isn’t always good in the Lake District. Leave details of your route and expected finish time with a buddy. If you are delayed please contact your buddy to let them know. This will prevent mountain rescue, a team of volunteers, being called out unnecessarily. If there is an emergency call 999. Ask for Cumbria Police and give your location; an accurate grid reference is ideal.

Walks from the railway in the Western Lake District Welcome to the Adventure Capital of the UK, the Lake District, Cumbria. Famous for its stunning landscapes of lakes, fells and coast the country’s biggest adventure playground is breathtaking.

This leaflet contains four walking routes starting from railway stations in the Western Lake District which vary in length and difficulty so everyone from the novice rambler to the seasoned explorer can get out and enjoy the best of the Adventure Capital.

www.golakes.co.uk/adventure

pedal or paddle, hike or climb, conquer your competitive spirit or just get out there and enjoy

for more information, visit www.golakes.co.uk/adventure

supported by

on foot

Ravenglass - Photo ©Sam DixonLa’l Ratty - Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

on foot

onwheels

on ropeson course

onwater

where to get on in the adventure capital

Millom Heritage Museum & Visitors Centre Journey into Millom’s past with fascinating displays on the town’s rich industrial heritage of iron ore mining and processing. Located at Millom Railway station.Tel: 01229 772555 www.millomfolkmuseum.co.uk

Port Haverigg Water Sports (Summer only) Water Sports centre offering skiing, wakeboarding and wakeskating lessons on a section of Hodbarrow Lagoon. There is also a slalom course and a jetty where visitors can launch their own boats, dinghies and windsurfers. Tel: 01229 772880 www.phwatersports.moonfruit.com

RSPB Hodbarrow, Haverigg This reserve is the flooded site of a former iron ore mine and is now enclosed by a sea wall built 100 years ago. The lagoon is now home to many species of waterfowl and thousands of waders in autumn and winter.www.rspb.org.uk

Murthwaite Green Trekking Centre, Silecroft Experience the thrill of riding along the beach combined with a picnic or enjoy spectacular views on a scenic fell side ride. Tel: 01229 770876 www.murthwaitegreen.co.uk

Attractions Cumbrian Heavy Horses, Whicham Experience the pleasure of riding a magnificent Clydesdale or Shire ‘heavy horse’ at all paces in a variety of stunning locations. Tel: 01229 777764 www.cumbrianheavyhorses.com

Millstones, BootleThe converted farm buildings at Millstones demonstrate thebest of local Cumbrian produce. A selection of mouth-watering cheeses, local honey, preserves and meat can be found in the rural food hall. The Byre café serves delicious meals using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The Toy Barn sells a wide range of quality wooden toys.Tel: 01229 718775 www.millstonesbootle.co.uk

Muncaster CastleA one mile walk from Ravenglass station, Muncaster offers the whole family a fun-filled day out from exploring the haunted castle to its meadow vole maze and owl centre. Exciting events happen all year round. Tel: 01229 717 614 www.muncaster.co.uk