Hikers destination the Devil’s Bridge
WALKERS from across Halton travelled to a picturesque market town in Cumbria.
The Halton Ramblers took 68 walkers to Kirkby Lonsdale, which sits between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales above the River Lune in the Lune Valley.
It has splendid historic buildings, many of them dating back hundreds of years.
Visitors can meander through the cobbled streets, courtyards and narrow alleyways passing down lanes such as Salt Pie Lane and Jingling Lane all with their own history.
The walkers’ first stop was at the Burton In Kendal services where the B group left the coaches for a planned walk of nearly 12 miles.
Pat Neal guided his group to the Lancaster Canal which they followed to a crossing over the M6, here joining the Limestone Link Path to Holmepark Fell and a gradual climb to Farleton Knott.
The route continued to Newbiggin Crags and Hutton Roof Crags.
The area is limestone paving country and Hutton Crags has some of the best examples of the limestone paving in Britain.
The habitat of Hutton Roof also supports a wealth of unusual plants and animals.
The group descended to the village of Hutton Roof and a change in terrain through meadowland to the outskirts of Kirkby Lonsdale, before taking country roads to the town to visit the popular Ruskin’s View and joining the riverside path back to Devil’s Bridge.
A six mile leisurely D walk had been planned by Chris Leadbetter.
After gathering her group together she took them into the town where they could explore the quaint streets and alleyways making their way to Ruskin’s View where they admired the views over the Lune Valley and the River Lune. ●
Taking steps down to the riverside path on the River Lune to walk through the woodland alongside the river, the group passed carpets of bluebells and wild garlic before continuing to Underlay Hill and Mill Arye.
They then arrived back at Devil’s Bridge which developed as a crossing point over the River Lune as several drovers and packhorse routes converged.
It is a medieval bridge on three graceful arches and is superbly crafted with ribbed and fluted masonry.
A moderate C walk was led by Chris Leap who firstly visited Ruskin’s View before retracing steps to Devil’s Bridge and headed to High Casterton.
Heading for Casterton – the settlement by a Roman Fort – the group passed by Bindless Farm and through Tuplot Wood.
Casterton is surrounded by a rolling landscape of lush green fields bordered by high hedges and dry stone walls in the broad Lune Valley.
Their return journey was through fields and woods back to Devil’s Bridge.
The longest and most strenuous walk was the A route which spanned 15 miles and ascended 3,300ft.
Led by John Kummer, they headed towards Brownthaite Fell and to the trig point of 437m, then taking the hardest route up to Castle Knott from Bardondale to the summit of Calf Top.
The return journey was via Mill House to Bardon and Casterton, taking fields and country paths to Devil’s Bridge.
A Halton Ramblers spokeswoman said: “The groups were able to enjoy the magnificent views of the area having a clear and warm day, enjoying the delights of spring and the oldy world atmosphere of Kirby Lonsdale.”
The Halton Ramblers travel to Llanberis, Gwynedd, for their next trip on Sunday, May 28.
To join, contact the booking secretary on 07842 160 944 any day except Sunday between 6pm to 9pm or visit nmcramblers.org.uk