REMINDER
It has been drawn to my attention that a number of members when car sharing will ask the driver how much they want for petrol. The amount payable is £8. This is what should be offered. If the driver then says a lesser amount is OK, then this is fine. This is to save any embarrassment. It’s not just about petrol; there is general use of the vehicle and all that goes with the cost of using a vehicle for the benefit of others. I feel sure all will appreciate this.
Pete Rutland
Chairman
Walk Descriptions.
IMPORTANT
Having previously agreed your walk date with Ian, please send the walk description to (iannrow1@gmail.com) as soon as you can.
Afterwards, your walk report and photos should then go to: carlisleramblers@gmail.com
Coach Walks:
Sunday 27th September. Arnside, Lancashire. PLEASE NOTE PRE-PAYMENT ONLY £10 for members £12 for non-members BY 5th SEPTEMBER. USE ARNSIDE26 AS REFERENCE. If there are any spaces left, it will be £12 fare on the day.
COACH WALK ARNSIDE 27th September
Further Update
Arnside Coach
Thank you to everyone who has booked a place on the Arnside coach. Owing to your most valued response we are delighted to say the trip can go ahead. There are a small number of seats still available, now priced at £12. If you wish to come along and haven’t as yet reserved your place, please don’t miss out and book your seat as soon as possible.
You may have seen our September Coach Walk (please note change of date) is planned for Arnside. This will be a little further away than most of our trips and so comes at a higher cost to the club. We want to make the day as affordable as possible and so we are asking for fares to be paid in advance, by 5th September. Depending on the response we get, the committee will then decide whether to run the trip. Of course there will be the usual three wonderful walks to choose from.
The price if paid on or before 5th September is £10 for members, £12 for non-members. After this date & if spaces are still available, the price will be £12. Payments can be made online, reference ARNSIDE, or cash/cheque to any committee member. If sadly we have to cancel the trip, we will make a full refund of any money paid. (Unfortunately we are not able to make a refund if you change your mind and cannot go after all 🤨)
Please support us and get the coach on the road 😊
Best wishes
Christine
Sunday August 24th 2025
A Walk
Pavey Ark via Jack's Rake
6 miles Grade 2 Scr
Leader: Brendon Carss
Parking at New Dungeon Ghyll (National Trust car park), we will head up along Stickle Ghyll and towards Stickle Tarn where we will have a break. We will then walk to the other side of the tarn where Jack's Rake starts. Facing Pavey Ark from the tarn it’s hard to see a route but from the bottom of the rake the way becomes clear. For anyone who hasn’t done this route it is as challenging as the more famous Striding Edge but different in character, feeling less exposed with most of the scrambling in the rake itself apart from one short section along the edge.
If you have a reasonable head for heights and are happy to use hands, feet or even knees, it’s a great route.
Once at the top we will head down in between Harrison stickle and Pavey Ark, then back the same way to the car park.
PAWS FOR THOUGHT. Please read the club rules on bringing dogs on walks.
Sunday
A Walk
Great Gable from Honister
6 Miles Grade 1
Leader: Ian Rowley
Sands 09:00
Parking in the National Trust car park (I’ve got a spare pass) or in the mine car park
Starting from the pass with the advantage of already being at 1200 ft we’ll take the old tramway and then on to Moses Trod, an historic packhorse route linking Honister and Wasdale. We'll climb more steeply onto Windy Gap then head for the summit of Gable. After lunch on the top we retrace our steps into Windy Gap then over Green Gable and Brandreth
The direct way down to Honister is via Grey Knotts but it's a steep and loose descent and slippery in the wet so we may opt to miss out the top and descend from Brandreth to the tramway for an easier descent. Not a long walk but over 2500 ft of ascent and some steep sections but mostly on good paths.
Ian
07949 621168
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Stonybeck to Penrith
Leader: David Elsworth
7.5 miles. Grade 4
Starts from bus station catching 104 bus to Penrith. Car drivers can park on the verge on Bowscar road.
We catch the 104 bus at 9.37am so please be at the station at least 10 mins earlier. Car drivers be at Bowscar road for 10.15. Leaving the bus stop at Stonybeck we head up the road to Bowscar, where we take the T junction towards Forest Hill. Through the farm we head up past Bowscar quarry and then into the wood, from there it's downhill and back onto tarmac heading towards Inglewood. Through the estate we follow a track which leads us to Inglewood Cottages and on towards Maiden Hill. Then it's on to our last farm, Green Hill, before heading on towards the golf course and through it. After passing the cemetery, we are on to Beacon Edge and our route into Penrith. Downhill all the way to the coffee house and our coffee and cake.
Refreshments at Daffodils Café opposite St. Andrews church.
PS. Everyone will get the bus back to Stonybeck, where car drivers can get back to their vehicles.
Thursday 4th June, evening walk.
Raven Crag and Castle crag (Birkett).
2-3 miles. Grade 2.
Meet at Sands 5pm.
Dog friendly
We will park at either The dam triangle car park on steel road (What3words //politics.carefully.interval) £5 for up to 5 hours, chargeable up to 9pm.
Or for free in the layby before it (what3words //squeaking.declares.fully) space for 5 cars.
Depending on the weather and how fit people are feeling, this walk can be made easier in places.
We can make our way up from the layby steeply, on loose scree path, through the trees, there is an alternate less steep path further along the road.
We can take our time on the steep ups with little breaks at view points.
Once we reach a gate we go off to the right and head up Castle Crag, a Birkett that looks harder to get up than it is. Sticks are a good idea on the walk if usually used, the paths are uneven and worn away in places. Castle crag has lovely views, it used to be an iron age hill fort and is perched on a steep rocky outcrop below raven crag.
We come down from here and then advance towards the wooden steps of Raven crag (461m). Steep steps but worth it for the views at the top of Thirlmere reservoir are wonderful. We can stop for a break and admire the views.
We come down the same way and then we will decide whether we have time and energy, to complete the Benn (446m)(Birkett) also known as Slipping crag. If we go for it there will be more up, but worth it for the views. You can see Thirlmere reservoir and surrounding fells of High seat and the Dodds. There's a good path to the base of the Benn, but the last bit is a bit steep, muddy and rough through the woods.
There is a nice circular route down from here with good views of Thirlmere.
Afterwards we can visit Keswick and hopefully park on a free residential street and visit a local chippy. The lakes fish and chips is open until 8pm and the Kingfisher is open until 8:30pm.
Come along, depending on weather we can make this as long or short as we want. I'll bring a couple of torches just in case 🙂
Astrid
;
Sunday 7th June
A Walk
Great Gable from Honister
6 Miles Grade 1
Leader: Ian Rowley
Sands 09:00
Parking in the National Trust car park (I’ve got a spare pass) or in the mine car park
Starting from the pass with the advantage of already being at 1200 ft we’ll take the old tramway and then on to Moses Trod, an historic packhorse route linking Honister and Wasdale. We'll climb more steeply onto Windy Gap then head for the summit of Gable. After lunch on the top we retrace our steps into Windy Gap then over Green Gable and Brandreth
The direct way down to Honister is via Grey Knotts but it's a steep and loose descent and slippery in the wet so we may opt to miss out the top and descend from Brandreth to the tramway for an easier descent. Not a long walk but over 2500 ft of ascent and some steep sections but mostly on good paths.
Ian
07949 621168
Sunday 14th June
A / B Walk
Haystacks/ black sail hut
6 Miles. Grade 2
Leader: Mark Graham
Sands 08:30
Dog Friendly
Parking at Honister slate mine car park £5.
We head west along the dismantled tramway path to dubs hut, innominate tarn. Then on to Haystacks. We take the southerly path down which involves walking down some scree for a short distance before heading to blacksail hut. then we pick up the path that takes us alongside loft beck and back to the car park. We are on good paths for most of the day. This is a walk that will suit A and B walkers.
Happy days mark
Wednesday July 8th 2026 (change of walk)
Threlkeld Circular
7 Miles. Grade 3
Leader: Ian Rowley
Starting from Threlkeld Cricket club car park (charge) on the A66 opposite the turn into Threlkeld village
We cross the River Glenderaterra then follow the railway track and the old Penrith to Keswick road on to Tewitt Tarn. We can make a diversion to the top of Low Rigg or head directly to St. Johns in the Vale church depending on the weather. We'll then drop back down to the head of St Johns in the Vale and climb steadily up the old coach road for about half a mile. At the highest point of the track we drop down to the site of a bronze age settlement below Threlkeld Knotts and then descend to return to the cars. Some climbing and the likelihood of wet ground but nothing too difficult
Tuesday 14th July 2026
Eskrigg Reserve, Lockerbie
3 miles or 4.5 miles, grade 5
Leader: Sharron Murray
Meet at the train station at 10am to take the 10:16am train to Lockerbie. There are toilets both in Carlisle station, at Lockerbie and in the reserve.
From the station we will cross the main road at the town hall to walk through the park before emerging on to the A709 to walk to the turning for the reserve. A track takes us to the path for the reserve. For the shorter walk we will leave those walkers at the bird hide and re-join them after a further mile and a half strolling through the woods. As we know there are no cafés open in Lockerbie on a Tuesday, so I suggest you bring refreshments that we can have in the reserve before walking back to the station.
Sharron
Tuesday 28th July 2026
Rickerby Park
3 miles, grade 4
Leader: Sharron Murray
Starting from the market at 10:30am, we will walk past the Civic Centre and take the underpass towards The Sands. From there we will take the footpath on to the Swifts and follow the river as far as the footbridge over the Eden. After crossing the river we will follow the other bank back towards town leaving the park at the Chinese Garden before crossing Eden Bridge and taking the underpass back to our starting point.
Sunday 23rd August 2026
B walk
Sallows and Sour Howes
8.5 miles, grade 2
Leader: Pete Rutland
Again I have put this down as an 08.30AM start because of the limited parking at the Troutbeck end of Kirkstone Pass, opposite Limefitt Holiday Park. The Pass is due to reopen on the 17th July after repairs due to a landslide.
We walk through the holiday park to get access to the Garburn Road (track). We follow the track heading NE to Garburn Nook where we go over the stile and take a short pull onto Sallows. We then head down and around (SW) to Sour Howes. We then pick our way back down to the Garburn Road. Prevoiusly from here I have headed back through the holiday park. This makes the walk just shy of 6 miles so I have decided to go south to Dubbs Reservoir and on till we reach the Moorhowe Road. We go down the road and pick up Longmire track on our right which will take us all the way back to the holiday park and the cars. This makes the walk 8.5 miles. Should there be any problems with the weather or such we can revert to the old route.
No scrambling and all on good paths but some up and downs to negotiate. Two small Wainwrights, again on most days in one of the less frequented areas.
Be there or be Square.
Pete.078534358550.
Sunday 20th September
A Walk
Ard Crags and Knott Rigg
7.5 miles, Grade 1
Leader: Brenden Carss
Dog 🐶 friendly
Sands 8:30
We park at Rigg Beck car park in Newlands valley. (What3words /// landlady.advising.dampen)
Turn off at Braithwaite and head up Newlands pass, free parking for about 5 cars.
We make our way along following the beck until Aitken Knott comes into sight. We cross the beck and there is a steep climb with mild scramble nearer the top to summit Aitken Knott (473m).
On a good day there are views all around the fells of Newlands valley and Coledale.
We follow a clear undulating path along the ridge over the 2 wainwrights Ard Crags (581m) and Knott Rigg (556m).
We could stop at a nice spot with a view for lunch. Banana breaks can be taken as needed along the way.
Once over the ridge, we descend towards Newlands pass but head West towards Mill Beck. Another small water crossing, hopefully still low. We ascend again but not as high this time and follow the narrow path above Sail Beck, along the valley back to Rigg Beck and the cars.
A couple of fells the group haven’t done in a while and from an alternate direction.
Brenden 07889 289934 😊
Sunday 20th September
B Walk
Loweswater Circular
6.5 miles, Grade 3
Leader: Malcolm Iredale
Dog 🐶 friendly
Sands 09:00
Many of you will have done this gentle B walk before - basically a circular ramble around Loweswater. It is often undertaken in a clockwise direction, starting at the lay-by near the water.
However, this walk is slightly different, starting from the roadside parking on the Mockerkin to Lamplugh Road above Fang’s Brow - although not even in the Halloween season yet ! The good news is that we start from a relatively high point. The bad news is that we need to get back there at the end of the walk !
We start along the track heading towards Loweswater along the hillside, providing fine views towards Grasmoor and surrounding fells. There are also lovely views over Loweswater. As we have plenty of time, we will take an early banana break at the site of the old - and unfortunately now defunct - seat.
We stay on the higher track, dropping eventually to Whiteoak Beck where we will - weather permitting - take a wee diversion for a short wander up the valley towards two waterfalls before returning via the tarn - potential good photo opportunities here.
After this we follow the track down through High Nook Farm towards Maggies Bridge, finding a suitable lunch spot on the way. We then join the track towards Loweswater where we can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the trees along the shoreline. We continue to follow the path as it wends (gently) uphill - passing Iredale Place on the way - back towards our original track.
I think that this route maximises the fell views and provides a different perspective, but it is ( gently) uphill at the end of the walk - always handy to have something to moan about !
We will have ample time for post walk refreshments, either in Cockermouth or at the Craggs, so why not join us on our Loweswater stroll - in an anti clockwise direction ?
Please could you let me know if driving direct.
Malcolm
07774 409666
Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Carlton to St. Ninian's Road
2.5 miles, grade 4
Leader: Sharron Murray
Meet at the bus station at 9.45am to take the 104 bus at 10:08 to Sewell Lane.
Leaving the bus we walk up London Road for a short was before turning off past several building to take the footpath north. The walk follows the river Petteril for the most part. There is a short steepish hill to go up and down at the start and several stiles. Help will be given to those who need it. We finish walking along the river at St. Ninian's Road, where we turn left to mount the hill up to Lamb Street where Madge has kindly offered to provide us with refreshments.
Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Borrowdale Ramble
6 miles, Grade 2/3
Leader: Ian Rowley
Parking in the Seatoller car park (National Trust)
We take the original Honister Pass road for a short distance before turning off to climb on to High Doat; a modest hill but with fine views.
We then drop down to join the main path, crossing Tongue Gill and on to Castle Crag (but not climbing to the top). We then drop down to meet the river Derwent and turn a corner to make our way to Milican Dalton's caves for a lunch stop.
Then we follow the route of the Cumbrian way on good paths sticking close to the river as far as the Youth Hostel at Rosthwaite.
A short steepish climb into Johnny Woods avoids an awkward section of riverside path and conveniently drops us back into the car park.
Not a long walk but one with a few ups and downs and a variety of paths and tracks some of which might be rough and wet underfoot. Walking poles would be helpful. Ian
Sunday 27th September 2026
Coach Walk
Arnside
Please note early start times; Rosehill 08:30, The Sands 08:40
A Walk
Milnthorpe to Arnside
Grade 3, 8.5/9 miles
Leader: Ian Rowley
Starting from Milnthorpe the walk heads through the deer park to Beetham then climbs through woodland to reach the renowned “fairy steps” a narrow cleft in a limestone edge. We then drop down to cross the railway line and enter more woodland passing by the remains of Arnside Tower before making the ascent of Arnside Knott with superb views over the Kent estuary and the distant Lakeland fells.
Ian Rowley.
B Walk.
Arnside Knott circular
Grade 3. 8 miles
Leader: Malcolm Iredale
A compact walk that picks up a number of Arnside favourites, passes through a variety of topography, and provides an excellent overview of the area.
Our walk starts on the seafront - where there are public toilets - 80p - credit card only. We immediately head uphill through some quiet streets, and woodlands before continuing gently upwards through Red Hills on a wide grassy track with fine views to arrive at the Knott’s famous Peace Heart.
At 500ft, Arnside Knott is England’s lowest Marilyn - but remember, our walk starts at sea level, so the first part of the walk is uphill. We will take this at a gentle pace and stop for a banana break at the top. We will visit the Peace Heart, the rather discrete trig point and a couple of formal viewpoints - hopefully providing good views of Grange, Morecambe Bay and the South Lakes Fells.
We follow a track down through woodlands from the summit, passing fenced in piglets and hens to arrive at Arnside Tower, a 15th century Pele Tower which has suffered during the subsequent centuries with a major fire and a wall collapse - but still an imposing structure.
After this we abandon the main routes to follow lesser used tracks through mixed woodland up Middlebrow Hill and into the ancient Eaves Wood - with some limestone pavement along the way. This brings us to a famous local landmark called the Pepper Pot - or to give it the full Sunday title - Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Monument, built in 1887 - but it does look like a pepper pot !
We will lunch at the Pepper Pot or nearby to enjoy the fine views out over the Bay - or to shelter under the many large trees in the area if necessary ! The path drops down through woodland and a caravan site before crossing a couple of fields and a road to arrive at Far Arnside.
After passing through another caravan site, we join the coast path which runs through pine woods a few metres above the shore, providing fine views out over the bay. We then walk through our final caravan site of the day to join the shore line path back into Arnside - with its variety of cafes, shops, ice creams, etc.
Although the walk starts uphill, we will take this at a gentle pace and have a breather at the top. There are good paths and tracks throughout - making this an ideal B Walk to explore the beautiful Arnside area.
It provides much interest and variety - well I think it does ! So why not come along and make your own mind up ?
Malcolm Iredale
C Walk.
Circuit of Arnside Knott.
Grade 4, 5.5 miles
Leader: Christine Loftus
From the centre of Arnside we follow the railway for a short distance before entering woodland and passing close by the remains of Arnside Tower. We continue towards Far Arnside with a lunch stop on the beach, looking across the expanse of Morecambe Bay towards Grange over Sands.
The walk follows the shoreline for a while before cutting inland past the lifeboat station and emerging at Arnside.
Plenty of time to stop and admire the views .
Sunday 4th October 2026
Deer Rut walk Martindale and Brock Crags
6.5 miles, Grade 2
Leader: Pete Rutland
08:30 start
The annual trip to Martindale to see the deer might be a bit too repetitive for some but I feel sure some won’t have done it. With the early start we will try and park at the head of the valley at Dale Head. It's free parking on the substantial grass verge but maybe only for half a dozen cars, so hope for the best. This will save a longish road walk if we park further back down valley.
We start to head up hill immediately but it is a very progressive easy climb up to Beda Fell Knott. Not the best part of the walk to see the big beasts but with luck they can be spotted anywhere in this area. We carry on until we take a path in a southerly direction which will take us toward Angle Tarn. If you haven’t been to Angle Tarn the walk is worth it for the visit. To keep the baggers happy and to say we have been to a summit we will go around the tarn to take in the Wainwright of Brock Crags. It could well be lunch time by then.
We retrace our steps a bit, then head down on a track east of Heck Crag. From this path we will have great views into the valley where I feel sure we will see plenty of deer included big stags that will be bellowing out to show each other they are about. All being well we should have plenty of time to see them and a pair of binoculars could be useful.
Just below Heck Crag the path does get a bit tricky but over the years everyone has negotiated it without any incidents. There is no danger you just need to take care. The path takes us to the foot of the valley where the rest of the walk is on easy terrain.
I can pretty much guarantee some good sightings of deer on the walk and sometimes they pop up in unexpected places. Hopefully the cafe at Howtown Hotel will still be open for after walk tea. Good paths all the way other than the short stretch I have indicated. No scrambling and plenty of deer.
Be there or be Square.
Pete. 078534358550.
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Stonybeck to Penrith
Leader: David Elsworth
7.5 miles. Grade 4
Starts from bus station catching 104 bus to Penrith. Car drivers can park on the verge on Bowscar road.
We catch the 104 bus at 9.37am so please be at the station at least 10 mins earlier. Car drivers be at Bowscar road for 10.15. Leaving the bus stop at Stonybeck we head up the road to Bowscar, where we take the T junction towards Forest Hill. Through the farm we head up past Bowscar quarry and then into the wood, from there it's downhill and back onto tarmac heading towards Inglewood. Through the estate we follow a track which leads us to Inglewood Cottages and on towards Maiden Hill. Then it's on to our last farm, Green Hill, before heading on towards the golf course and through it. After passing the cemetery, we are on to Beacon Edge and our route into Penrith. Downhill all the way to the coffee house and our coffee and cake.
Refreshments at Daffodils Café opposite St. Andrews church.
PS. Everyone will get the bus back to Stonybeck, where car drivers can get back to their vehicles.
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Jockey Shield
6 miles, Grade 3
Leader: Mike Coates
Leaving the sands 9.15am.
We head to Castle Carrock parking the cars at jockey shield having turned left at Castle Carrock.
We then head up the old mine track to gairs pitt and a welcome break. We then head along Tarmoneth fell which could be a bit boggy. Turning left we go down the hill side to old water and the bridge for lunch. After lunch we go along the path to Geltsdale and finally along the road to jockey shield. The venue for refreshments is the duke of Cumberland.
Mike tel no. 07484178504
01228 401509
Tuesday 13th October 2026
Ribblehead
4 miles, grade 4
Leader: Geoff Entwistle
An easy walk in the hills. Catch the 1058 Carlisle-Settle train to Ribblehead, arriving 1220 (c£13.50 with railcard, one loo at station). We go underneath the viaduct and then do a clockwise circuit to the west, with good views of Ingleborough, Whernside and the viaduct, through Gummerfleet, Broadrake and Winterscales. We finish with refreshments in the Station Inn.
Easy going on tracks, minor roads and paths. 4miles, 200'ascent, but can be shortened or lengthened near the end.
Return train is at 1636, arriving into Carlisle at 1802
Sunday 1st November
A Walk
Haystacks/ Black sail hut
6.5 miles. Grade 2.
Dog friendly.
Meet at Sands 8:30 Am.
Parking at Honister slate mine car park £5.
Leaving the car park we head west along the dismantled tramway path to reach dubs hut and Innominate tarn. Then on to Haystacks. We can take a Banana break along the way. we then take the southernly path down from Haystacks which involves a short walk down some scree. From there we head on to Black sail hut. Then we head East to pick the path along side of loft beck. Then head north to pick up the dismantled tramway path again and back to the car park.
Refreshment can be taken at Mary Mount Hotel.
Happy days Mark and Jean
Wednesday 9th December 2026
The Wednesday Christmas Lunch will be held at The Greenhill Hotel, Red Dial, near Wigton on Wednesday, 9th December 2026.
The lunch will be preceded by a short morning walk in the area.
The cost of the meal is £30 for two courses and £37 for three courses. Payment in full is required by Monday, 9th November, 2026 and can be made by bank transfer quoting reference Greenhill Xmas or by cheque made payable to Carlisle and District Rambling Club and sent to me at-
66, Moorhouse Road,
Carlisle CA2 7LU.
Would you also please let me know your menu choice?
Graham