Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km, Time: 3 hours, Maps: OS Explorer OL19 and OL2.
Route:
From the Cross Keys Inn take the footpath that leads down to the river and cross the bridge. Once across turn left and walk for approximately 50 metres to join the main footpath. Here turn right and follow this to the ford, which crosses Backside Beck. Note that this crossing could be impassable after heavy rain. After crossing the ford continue on the track which takes you through Narthwaite Farm.
Approximately 500 metres after the farm you will encounter another ford. Here the footpath crosses a sloping field and then enters the woodland ahead of you via a stile. Walk through the woods along the path which runs parallel to the river. On leaving the woods cross fields to reach a footbridge over the river. Cross and take the path up to the main A683.
Turn right and walk along the road for a few metres and then turn left up the lane signposted “Uldale & Fell End”. After 200m you will find a gate and signpost marking the start of the Wray Green footpath on the right.
Take the footpath diagonally across the field in the direction indicated by the fingerpost to a gateway with a footpath sign. Go through gate and up the edge of field with the wall on your right. At Wray Green the footpath turns right and passes on the south side of several buildings.
Continue through a gate and across a field to Tarn Farm, (the footpath signs are on telegraph poles). Take the narrow alleyway through Tarn Farm and continue across the parking area and over the grass to a gate in the right-hand corner of the field. Go through the gate and continue following the path in the same direction across fields and through further small wooden gates to reach the semi-derelict buildings at Eller Hill.
From here a stony track leads to a steel gate near New House. The path leads around the south west side of New House and crosses the field beyond, keeping woodland to your left go through the gates to emerge in fields, from here the path takes you down to the main track and Needle House.
Pass between the barn on your right and the main house on your left. The path goes to the left of the small cottage beyond. Cross the small field behind the cottage to a footbridge over the stream. The path initially climbs to the right leading onto a wider track and gate. Go through the gate and descend on track to bottom of valley and over bridge crossing the river. Pause here to look over the bridge at the deep pools and rapids below.
On the far side of the bridge turn right and follow the clearly defined path (be aware it can be boggy in places) and cross the open moor for approximately 2km where it meets up with a larger track. From here turn left and follow the track which is the course of the old Roman road know as “The Street”. After approximately 1km you will find a marker post which indicates a path down to the right. From here follow the boggy path down across rough ground, pass a barn on your right and continue to descend down through fields to the main A683 road. Turn right and return to Cross Keys Inn and your starting point.
