We are the Carlisle Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Route Description: This delightful walk commences at Lanercost packhorse bridge and follows familiar paths to the newly remade suspension footbridge at Lanerton. This section is upstream beside the river Irthing, passing Island Cottages; Crookstown; Low Broomhill ( Meg’s ‘gifts’) and using the Stanegate Roman road to reach the Roman fort near Chapelburn. Crossing the Irthing by the suspension bridge we return downstream. Our picnic stop (20mins) viewing the remains of the massive tree trunk which smashed the old bridge, is in Leap Quarry (mossy). Now we enter mystic Comb Crag woods (muddy) crossing an ancient bridge over Meg’s pavement, examining secret carved messages then on to Wallholme and up to Banks, passing indications of the circa 2000 earthquake. The final stage passes Hare Hill, on to Haytongate and down to Lanercost.
Route length, ascent and duration: 9 miles with a total ascent of 900ft. 4.5 hours duration.
Difficulty: The walk is Medium difficulty (Ramblers classification). The first half of the walk has some easy, road sections and well made tracks. Then there are muddy and narrow woodland paths which can be slippery. The climb up to Comb Crag is short but steep and that from the Irthing to Banks is steep again across a pasture.
Dogs/ Stiles: Dogs are welcome but there are 8 two step wooden fence stiles.
Refreshments: We can go to the Lanercost Tea Rooms following the walk.
To register for the walk please request via the Carlisle Ramblers WhatsApp Group.
Starting Point/Finish Point and Parking: Lanercost Bridge Parking Area. OS ref NY554634. Reasonable but slightly limited parking.
