Start: Kendal - Mint Bridge. Postcode (LA9 6SB) Grid ref : SD 522 942
(S) The walk starts at the bridge (Mint Bridge) just North of Morrisons car park. Initially, it walks through an industrial estate but fear not, the walk gets a lot better.
Cross the bridge and walk North on the A6 until a road junction on the left with Gilthwaiterigg Lane entering an industrial estate.
(1) Cross the A6 heading West with care as it is a fast road.
(2) Follow Gilthwaitrigg Lane then turn right still along Gilthwaitrigg Lane North. Carry on walking North you shortly meet a road on a bend.
(3) Carry on walking North being careful as this is a narrow road used by locals as a cut-through. Follow the road for about 280m and turn right into Garth Row Lane. Follow this road, which is part of the Dales Way, to the first road on the right.
Turn right just after the houses and walk up the steep road and follow it as it descends to a gate on the left where a track branches off to the left.
(4) Follow this track (North) to a gate into a field and onwards along the left-hand edge of the field to a gate onto a muddy track.
(5) Follow the track as it curves round left to meet the Gurnal Bridge Lane. Turn left on the lane across River Sprint. Follow the lane as it steepens to meet Garnett Bridge Road where you turn right (North).
(6) Follow Garnett Bridge Road as it ascends, passing a road on the left. Look out for a footpath sign on the left.
(7) Enter the field and follow the traversing path North to meet a farm track. Now follow the clear path along River Sprint on your right-hand side to Nether House farm passing the farm on its right. Keep following the track to Tenter Howe and continue across the fields to meet a farm track.
(8) Turn right, cross a stream and shortly meet the Longsleddale road where you turn left. This is a narrow road so take care. Follow the road North to the beautiful St. Mary's church where there are public toilets.
(9) Carry on along the road past the church to a farm track on the left at Little Wad's Howe.
(10) Turn left down the track which shortly bends right heading towards Well Foot. At Well Foot do not enter the farm but follow the track left to pass above and to the left of the farm. Carry on the same way with the river on your right. The track bends left and comes to a T-junction.
(11) Go through the gate on the left and turn right to follow the path along the bottom of the hill behind the farm. After crossing a beck turn left up the hill. Now the climbing starts. Follow the grassy track up the hill climbing rapidly to meet a gravel track. Follow the clear track up the hill with magnificent views of Longsleddale to reach the high point of this climb.
(12) Follow the track downhill (West) passing farm buildings on your right. The track descends to a T-junction with High Lane.
(13) Follow the road left looking out for a wall stile on the right.
(14) This stile gives access into a descending field where you meet a wall gap stile, cross the track and climb another stile. Follow the track to meet the road (Hollin Lane).
(15) Following the road to the right passing two parking spots on the right. Shortly a track starts to ascend to the right. Take this to start the climb up to Garburns Pass.
(16) This is a tough climb ascending 250m up a track that is very rough in places. Watch out for mountain bikers coming down as it is a popular route for them. Shortly after pass through a gate and most of the climb for this section is over. Follow the rough track where it levels out and views into Troutbeck open up.
(17) Walk past the small coppice of Garburn Nook passing through a gate where the stoney path starts to descend (South-West). The views into Troutbeck and looking right towards Kirkstone Pass are excellent. Follow the track downhill and Windermere soon comes into view. The track descends to a junction past Applewaite Slate Quarry on your left..
(18) At the junction, take the lower road (South-West) continuing downhill.
(19) At the next junction, keep following the narrower, downhill track. The track is well made here but may be slippy in wet weather. Follow it down to meet the A592.
(20) Carefully cross the road as it has fast traffic heading up to Kirkstone pass. Turn right to follow the A592 to pass a church on your left. Just after the church a path leaves to the left with leads over a stone footbridge to a gate straight after it.
(21) Go through the gate and follow the enclosed path up to the road at Low Fold.
(22) Follow the road left (South) to Troutbeck Post Office on your right. Just past the Post Office a track, Robins Lane, ascends steeply to the right. Take the step track passing houses on your right where it turns into a stoney track . Keep following the track uphill with views over Windermere opening up to your left.
Shortly after the track bends left but you go through a gate straight ahead to follow a slightly descending track, crossing a beck.
(23) Continue to descend to a junction of walls/fences and a gate. Through the gate, turn right and follow the road up to High Skelghyll.
(24) The tracks turn right just beyond the farm building and continues left (West) shortly entering Skelghyll wood. The path descends steeply in places and can be rough in places. Keep following the main track in the woods as it improves underfoot. The path descends through the woods to meet a tarmac track.
(25) Follow the tarmac track to the back of Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Base.
(26) Cross the road to the side of the garden centre and turn right up (North) the main road (A591) into Ambleside.
(27) when you reach the junction with Kelsick Road, descend to the left towards the church. Pass the mini-golf course and keep left towards the church. Enter the church grounds and head for the right-hand corner where you exit via a gate and turn sharp left to enter Rothay Park and the end of the walk. (E)
