Shap to Patterdale
1 NY563150 From the car park in front of Shap Memorial Park, walk north along the A6 on the left-hand side of the road. Turn left onto Pow Lane, following the signs for 'Bampton', 'Haweswater' and 'Shap Abbey 1¼ '. Follow the road around to the left before turning right through an obvious gate signposted 'Public Footpath, Coast to Coast, Shap Abbey'. The route
now follows a succession of field paths hugging the road and crossing several stone walls before the impressive 15th century west tower of Shap Abbey comes into view. Continue down the steep access road, turning right and crossing the obvious ladder stile with the stone house immediately on your left. With the picturesque river Lowther to the left follow the grass path, passing through several gates and buildings at Rossgill Hall Wood before emerging at houses and joining the road at Rosgill.
NY537167 Head down the road over Rossgill Bridge and continue straight ahead crossing the ladder stile and signpost marked 'Coast to Coast'. Climb up the grassy slope before bearing right on the faint path and crossing the road into Rawhead. Descending Kidsty Howes towards Haweswater. Continue ahead using the obvious path, passing another gate and shortly after passing a building on the right, cross the stream to your left via the clearly marked stile. Descend until you reach Haweswater Beck, where a delightful path takes you through woodland past Park Bridge and the impressive Thornthwaite Force to Naddle Bridge. Cross over the road and continue through woodland before arriving at the village green of Burnbanks. 3 NY507161 Walk up the road behind the bungalow complex, following the signpost to Upper Mardale. Pass through a gate and turn immediately right, where a steady climb uphill leads to the fell side with a wood of tall trees on the left. Haweswater Reservoir soon comes into view with its high dam. In drier summers it’s still possible to see evidence of the submerged village of Mardale Green. The route now traverses the northern shore of Haweswater Reservoir.
4 NY468119
After crossing many becks that feed the reservoir you reach the far end, entering Riggindale via a bridge and gate crossing Rangdale Beck. Bear right, climbing up the grassy slopes of Kidsty Howes; the last part is steep and concludes with a succession of gullies and rocky steps. A welldefined path now takes you up to the distinctive peak of Kidsty Pike, offering up superb views over Haweswater and across to High Street. Forge ahead on the main track until you reach an obvious crossroads marked by a clear cairn.
5 NY439122 From the cairn turn right, heading away from High Street. Hayeswater should be visible on your left as you start the long descent towards Patterdale. Drop to the left around The Knott before bearing right where the path divides. It is now an enjoyable descent past Prison Crag, Satura Crag and Buck Crag where Angle Tarn comes into view. Follow the path around the east side of the tarn before rounding Angletarn Pikes and descending to Boredale Hause where the village of Patterdale and Ullswater come into view.
6 NY406156 From Boredale Hause take the lower of two paths, which descends steeply towards Patterdale. Upon entering buildings turn right through a gate and then left, passing through Side Farm and tearooms before a well-defined bridleway takes you over Goldrill Beck to a welcome rest in Patterdale.