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Silurian Way, Grizedale Forest.

By Hugh Stewart March 3, 2019 1 Comment

Recently highlighted in the Guardian travel section under sculpture walks, we felt we had to have a look again at Grizedale Forest, having previously largely kept away due to the hordes of Go-Apers, dog walkers and racing Mountain Bikers there. It is mostly in the Forest so suitable for a predicted wet day, which it turned out to be. We were told it could be done either way, but the signposts are definitely designed for doing it clockwise: we did it anti-clockwise and at various points this caused confusion, to say the least. The eastern limb is not terribly interesting if the sculptures start to pall, except for the little Grizedale Tarn: mostly wide forest tracks with poor views. (Edit 2020: if done clockwise and you find the correct route there are more paths, therefore more interest, particularly the one up Brock Crag, with a good view!) The western limb has a decent view point and some rocks to scramble on at Carron Crag, and lovely oak woods west of Satterthwaite and by the river near Force Mills – be careful not to miss the path off the road here. As for the sculptures, some are interesting, like the Lady of the Water, shown below, and some, like the Private Meeting, close by the Lady of the Water, are not, as the picture in the leaflet does not show they are miniature, and seeing them involves  crossing and re-crossing  a stream. Said to be 10 miles and to take 5 hours, which it did, but doing it clockwise would have been quicker without all the there and backs looking for signage. (Correction, 4hr 40 2020, but 10.7 miles and 2200 ft of undulating climbing as per the map below)  And if you’re expecting woad painted Welshmen to jump out on you somewhere you’ll be disappointed: the name refers to the rock strata you walk on, or rather the period when it was generated.

“17 Degrees South” south of Carron Crag.
“The Living Wood” in Hall Wood.
“Lady of the Water”, near Low Bowkerstead.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: silurian 2.gpx

Filed Under: Walks

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  1. David Wilson says

    June 26, 2019 at 10:27 am

    Dog walker and serious walker.
    Agree not a Go Aper and the mountain bikers should stick to their trails and have more respect and consideration for other forest users.

    Reply

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If you are enjoying my content please consider supporting my passion by purchasing one of my books. Many thanks, Hugh.

Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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