Shap, Cumbria Sunday 29th May 2011

Today’s Walks

Strenuous Leader: Dennis Cookson     Distance: 11 Miles

From Shap we take the footpath past the Goggleby Stone to Shap Abbey before heading along the River Lowther to the village of Rosgill. We then follow a section of the ‘Coast to Coast Walk’ to Naddle Bridge via Rawhead. In the distance the dam wall of Haweswater Reservoir is clearly visible. Passing through Naddle Farm we pick up the bridleway on to Rosgill Moor affording a view of the northern end of Haweswater. To the east of Bewbarrow Crag the bridleway descends to the road at Swindale. At Truss Gap we cross Swindale Beck and make our way via footpath and quiet road to the village of Keld before returning to Shap.

Moderate Leader: Ruth Melling & Hazel Anderton     Distance: 8 Miles

To Keld, past Shap Abbey and eventually up to Bampton where there is a pub to slake our thirst. We then return to Shap via Rosgill. There are plenty of nice views. Generally the walk is undulating, over fields and along lanes, sometimes near the river, with only one part that could be called steep. Muddy in places near the gates. The downside is that there are numerous stone stiles over walls and we need to be goat-like and slim! We might change the last part of the walk to avoid some stiles.

Leisurely Leader: Peter Denton   Information available from Peter on the coach.
Easy Leader: Adelaide Houghton     Distance: 5.5 miles

A circular walk starting from Shap. We go through fields as far as Rosgill (lunch stop) then following the River Lowther to Shap Abbey (remains) with a chance to look around. Then back to Shap village. There are quite a few stiles to negotiate on this walk.