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13 14CHESHIREMOW COP

CUMBRIAESKDALE TRAIL DAY 1

uDistance: 6½ miles/10.4km uTime: 3½ hours uGrade: Moderate uDistance: 9¼ miles/14.8km uTime: 4½ hours uGrade: ModerateNOR

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CHOSEN BY… RICHARD JONESMow Cop Castle is a folly built in 1754

by Randle Wilbraham of nearby Rode Hall as a family summerhouse designed to give the appearance of a ruined castle. Together with the adjoining Old Man of Mow rock formation, it is now a National Trust property which offers magnificent views over the Cheshire plain, the Welsh hills and the Peak District. The route includes the atmospheric Hanging Wood, an attractive stretch of the Macclesfield Canal and fine countryside straddling the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire. Before commencing the walk, it’s worth visiting the castle to

explore the structure and rocks, and enjoy the views from the highest point in the area.

1 Start Facing car park entrance,

go L to the road junction and turn R. At the footpathcrossroads go L onto the vehicle track. At bend with communications mast on R go straight on to join South Cheshire Way, going down to Hanging Woods. Follow path through woods, then bear R across fields and pass through small copse to end of wooded area. Continue along track and lane to Ackers Crossing, going under railway. Join Yew Tree Lane, go R at junction onto New Road, then down steps at bridge and L along canal path.

CHOSEN BY… NICK HALLISSEYKicking off an epic three-day linear walk

following the River Esk from its mouth at Ravenglass to its source high up in the Scafell mountains. Day 1 starts with a journey on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. The route then goes round the Esk estuary, then inland over Muncaster Fell and down to the Bower House Inn for the night. NB: Before setting out on this walk, please read the next two routecards carefully. Day 3 is very strenuous, so be sure this is a journey you feel able to complete.

1StartWalk 1 mile west along road

to Dalegarth Station and catch Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway to Ravenglass (40 minutes). Exiting train at Ravenglass, pass turntable and continue on footpath leading to footbridge over main line, signed for ‘shore’. Cross bridge. Cross road and continue ahead on smaller road, passing hotel R. Turn L on main street and continue to end of road, emerging on shoreline.

22km/1⅓ milesTurn L following edge of

shoreline. Ignore small tunnel, L, and continue on beach south for one mile (use parallel path slightly inland if tide is high). Path eventually veers sharp L (east), within sight of Eskmeals Viaduct. Go through gate and

Views south from Mow Cop Castle.

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2 1¾ miles/2.9kmFollow for 3.2km/2m,

passing Ramsdell Hall and canal boat marina, to lock at Hall Green.

pass through bridge beneath railway line. Continue on path with River Esk R, until path swings L to go through gate.

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ROUTEStart/parking On High Street by wall just outside NT Car Park, which only allows limited parking time, grid ref SJ 857573Is it for me? Field paths, woods, gravel tracks, canal side, lanes, roadsStiles 14

PLANNINGNearest town BiddulphRefreshments Mow Cop Inn at junction of Mow Cop Road and Castle Road (Tel: 01782 514117) Rising Sun pub en route off canal path just past marina at Scholar Green (Tel: 01782 776235)Public toilets NonePublic transport NoneMaps OS Explorer 268, Landranger 118

PLAN YOUR WALK

ROUTEStart/parking Leave car (with permission) at Woolpack Inn, grid ref NY190009. Is it for me? Riverside path early on, later an easy climb onto Muncaster Fell.Navigation mostly easyStiles 1

PLANNINGNearest town WhitehavenRefreshments Pubs/cafés in Ravenglass, café at Muncaster Castle, route ends at Bower House InnPublic toilets Dalegarth and Ravenglass stationsPublic transport Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, www.ravenglass-railway.co.ukMaps OS Explorer OL6, Landranger 89 and 96

PLAN YOUR WALK

The eastern end of Muncaster Fell.

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33 miles/4.8kmArriving at the crossing

track (Cumbria Coastal Way), turn L, following path through woods. After 100 yards turn R on branching path (signed ‘alternative route’), climbing to kissing-gate. Pass through and continue through hollow and up bank ahead, making for gate in wall. Go through gate and continue uphill, trending L to join track curving around Newtown Knott. Continue on track, descending and through two gates to enter farmyard.

43½ miles/5.7kmR through gate on path

signed Muncaster Castle. Climb through woods. At top, cross stile and continue ahead, climbing slightly with hillside R, towards fingerpost on wall-line at edge of woodland. Through kissing-gate to enter Muncaster

Castle woodland. Descend, keeping to main path, passing duckpond L. Cross lawn and enter castle complex.

54½ miles/7.2kmJoin access road and

continue ahead, passing between stableyard shopping area and hawk/owl centre. Access road veers L past church to emerge on public road. Cross road and turn L. Climb sharply to brow of hill. Where road swings L, turn R on Fell Lane, signed for Muncaster Fell. At top of lane, descend slightly, passing Muncaster Tarn L. Where path forks, take R track. At next fork, continue ahead following signs for the fell. Climb steadily, passing through gate and entering open hillside. Follow path to trig point at Muncaster Fell summit (above Hooker Crag).

66 miles/9.6kmContinue on across felltop.

Path descends to R of Silvery Knott. Joining a crossing track at wall-line, L downhill to gate. At crossing track, L and down to Irton Road. Ignore path R and through gate marked Foresthow. Pass cottages, joining track which crosses railway. At road, L and follow to Bower House Inn, L.

3 3¾ miles/6.1kmCross bridge and follow

path, turning parallel with railway to road. Turn L over bridge towards Moss House, then at junction go straight over then across crop fields. Go straight across next lane along path under trees, then alongside fences to arrive at main road.

4 5 miles/8kmGo L for 40m then

immediately before road junction go L onto path. Pass paddocks on L and cross fields, going uphill and keeping R with houses alongside. Cross stile in top R corner then bear slightly L over next wide field to waymark sign on top of hill with Mow Cop on horizon. Continue downhill then up other side with drystone wall on R. Cross stile in corner then follow path around edge of crop field. Pass through metal kissing gate and go R up driveway. Go R on road then immediately L on path into wooded area. Follow path

uphill through heather with high rocks on R, then at fork with tall stone bear L. Pass house and at corner of stone wall go L to arrive at road. Turn R, crossing over to pavement, passing church and school.

5 6 miles/9.6kmAt bend in road go straight

ahead onto Halls Road, leading to gravel track, with views of Jodrell Bank on L. At footpath sign go R following line of telegraph poles, going up steps and passing behind houses to

road. At church go straight across and then L at The Old Post Office onto High Street and follow back to start.

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14 13CUMBRIAESKDALE TRAIL DAY 1

CHESHIREMOW COP

uOS Explorer map OL6 uBuy maps at: ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapshop uOS Explorer map 268 uBuy maps at: ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapshop

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The Ramsdell Hall railings, on the canal

path, installed to allow the canal to take the most direct route while protecting the view from the hall.

DON’T MISS...

© Country Walking August 2016

uDownload OS maps for PC, iPhone, iPad and Android from £12.50

TRAILZILLA ID: TZID30603& TZID30604

Use the TZID to download the walk from www.lfto.com/routes or search for it in the Country Walking Best Walks in Britain App

© Country Walking August 2016

uDownload OS maps for PC, iPhone, iPad and Android from £12.50

TRAILZILLA ID: TZID30602

Use the TZID to download the walk from www.lfto.com/routes or search for it in the Country Walking Best Walks in Britain App

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