Route description

Part 4 – Kendal – Bowness – 14 miles
(Ordnance Survey map OL7)

Starting at the Quaker Meeting House in Kendal, head west along Stramongate and then continue along Finkle Street to the Tourist Information Centre.

Cross the road onto Allhallows Lane and then left up Beast Banks. At the crossroads go straight across. – this leads to Brigsteer Road. Follow this uphill and over the A591.

As the road bends left look for the cattle grid on your right and notice the footpath sign.(SD501919). Here you enter the Lake District National Park.

This path leads you onto the limestone slopes. Take this directly up Bradleyfield until the viewing dome comes into view. Head for this dome (SD487919) and enjoy the magnificent view. (The inside of the dome has a very detailed toposcope).

Keep going north until the end of the outcrop is reached and descend right on to the road at SD488925.

After 100 metres turn left past the masts on to the permissive footpath along Cunswick Scar. Follow the wall north and then west. Turn left (north) at SD493927 and keep to the edge of the ridge following the east side of the wood until you reach the Crook Rd (B5284) at SD 490948. Cross carefully  to get the footpath ahead and then after 100m turn left (NW) at SD491949.

Within 250m a track appears. Turn north towards Bank End. Take this path keeping left of the house and appearing to go through their garden. A quick left and then a right takes you to Moss Side. And 250m later you arrive at Ratherheath Lane, at SD484958.

Walk the road for 250m west and then take the path right (north) through Rather Heath.

On reaching the metalled road at heading NW, turn left towards the caravan site on Ashes Lane. As the road ends you continue straight on, following the wide track.

At heading SD472969 turn right (North) and walk to the A591 (taking care). Go under the railway bridge and turn left into Staveley.

Follow the road to the railway station and continue over the A591. Take the path after 200 metres (468976) and now you join the Dales Way to Bowness-on-Windermere.

Pass through the left side of the farm, called Field Close and head towards the woodland corner. Keep the wood to your left and then drop to the metalled road at SD464973.Follow this road south-west to the T-junction at SD454963.

Turn north-west and exit the road SD449965  Head west towards the wood. Keep the wood to the right and turn away from it on the path going west at SD441965. As you come to Crag House, turn north at SD437965. After 500m you come to a metalled road, Walk north for about 50 metres and turn west at Hag End. Follow the track for a further 500 metres. As you descend at a sharp angle to the upcoming track below you, go left. (The Dales Way splits here – one arm goes north into Windermere and the other south to Bowness-on-Windermere, our route goes south). This junction is at SD423971. After  500 metres you come to the B5284. Turn west and after just 100m at SD421962 head NW. At SD417967 cross the minor road and keep heading west. Descend to the edge of Bowness-on-Windermere and at SD406968 the minor road, Brantfell Road, descends to our destination of St. Martin’s Church at SD403969 and the grave of the slave Rasselas Belfield.

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