Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The easy crossing, above the Crosby Garrett Fell intake, is delightful
strolling, with time aplenty to take in the view. Away to the right the
Howgills, which have kept company with the walk since Orton Scar was
crossed, are starting now to recede, replaced by the great swell of Wild
Boar Fell, the Vale of Eden, Mallerstang Edge, Hugh Seat and Nine Stand-
ards Rigg. From the vicinity of Bents Farm a keen eye can just pick out the
cairns on Nine Standards Rigg. That's where you're going.
Continue following the intake wall, passing the turning to Bents Farm.
Stay with the wall, and, near a cluster of sheepfolds at a wall corner, press
on through a gate and keep along the ensuing wall.
There is now a dilemma. Ahead lies Severals Settlement (see below),
which in my view, at least, is an extremely sensitive area of prehistoric
significance. When I wrote the first edition of this guidebook, I abandoned
the right-of-way across the site, the line originally taken by Wainwright
(which, to be fair, even later editions of his route now avoid). Instead,
I advised an alternative route which continued along the wall until, at a
prominent waymark, you could (and still can) cross it by a stile. Then the
route used simply hugs the wall and avoids the sensitive area.
While revising the guide for this edition, however, I noticed that the re-
commended route now doesn't cross the stile (it's a through-stile, near
a tall post), but remains alongside the wall, keeping it on the right until,
much further on, and descending into Smardale, another through-stile lets
you cross to the other side of the wall.
The clearer footpath is on the south of the wall, but that's because every-
one has been using that route for years. On the north of the wall, there is a
less distinct but perfectly serviceable path. The choice is yours. The route
to the south of the wall is today a permissive path, thanks to the landown-
er. The route to the north is within Access Land, and so freely available.
Indeed, both sides of the wall are Access Land, which rather puzzles me,
but that's another matter.
So, have a quiet chat with your conscience, and choose your route.
There isn't anything to choose between them - apart from heritage.
(a) If you cross the wall, go immediately left alongside it, keeping above
the settlement, and ultimately descending through geologically fascinat-
ing limestone outcrops and steps, to reach a dilapidated building that once
served the disused railway line, part of the former Tebay-Darlington line.
(b) If you decide to stay out of Severals, then simply keep the wall on
your right, and stay with it until just above that dilapidated building, where
you will find a through-stile and can cross the wall.
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