Eskdale to Ravenglass
1 NY190009 From The Woolpack Inn walk down the road in a westerly direction, and after a short distance turn left into the lane whose entrance is marked by a Penny Hill Farm sign. Continue on the small road, crossing Doctor Bridge. As the road bends around to the left take the permissive footpath across the field at Lower Birker. Pass through a gate to join the main track, which now follows the River Esk through the wooded Dalegarth Hall, passing by Gill Force and the pretty ford and stepping stones in front of St Catherine's church. Continue forward on what is now the Esk Trail, following signs marked for Forge Bridge. Pass through a gate at Milkingstead before the track brings you to the road side at Forge Bridge.
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Continue straight ahead on the road and as it bends 90 degrees to the left at Forge House turn directly right by a stone wall and public bridleway signpost marked 'Eskdale Trail Muncaster Castle 3½ miles'. Proceed forwards on the bridleway under tree cover crossing the River Esk before bearing around to the left. Keep straight ahead until you arrive to Muncaster Head Farm on your right. Go past the entrance before turning right and entering through the back of the farm where you pass through a gate. Continue ahead on the farm track, now in a northernly direction, until you reach another gate and stile.
3 SD139993 Climb over the stile and turn immediately left, indicated by a wooden post and yellow public footpath indicator. Now head west, bearing to the right. As you begin climbing the fell side continue forward over Muncaster Fell, which undulates with rocky outcrops, hidden hollows and surprisingly good views towards the Cumbrian coast. The trig point atop Hooker Crag soon comes into view, where further views can be enjoyed out to sea and back up Eskdale to the bigger mountains.
4 SD112983 From the trig point at Hooker Crag follow the path down in a south-westerly direction, entering woodland before passing through a gate and descending further via Chapel Hill to Muncaster Tarn. The way is now indicated by a public bridleway signpost reading 'Muncaster, Esk Tr.'. Head forward with the tarn to your right before passing through another gate where the track turns into a small lane bringing you to the busy A595.
5 SD100967 Turn left onto the road and follow the pavement before descending a short distance to the entrance of Muncaster Castle on the right, signposted 'Muncaster Church Footpath Ravenglass'. Enter the grounds and proceed straight ahead, passing the church on your left before reaching a gate and entrance to the castle. Continue through the pleasant castle grounds, following yellow footpath signs for Ravenglass via Newtown. After emerging from woodland continue south-westerly across open grassland before negotiating a small stile and descending into woodland to buildings at Newtown. Turn right and follow the track, which soon turns into a lane, passing the ancient Ravenglass Roman Bath House on the right. Shortly before rejoining the road turn left on a narrow public footpath and cross the small footbridge leading you to the finish at Ravenglass railway station.