lowick high common open access walk...
Starting point: Roadside at SD 242832 on the
Map: OS Explorer OL6
Distance: 7km (4.5 miles)
Ascent: 230m (750ft)
Time: 3 hours
Public transport: Bus X7 Service Barrow - Millom which stops in Kirkby-in-Furness.
A lovely ramble past wind turbines and slate quarries, with all round views. Best on a clear day. A 1:25000 OS map and navigation ability will be required.
Start point: roadside at SD 242832 above Kirkby-in-Furness on a lane reached from Chapels, Beckside or Wall End. Park considerately on the bend as there are limited spaces (the railway station might prove an attractive travel option to some). Here there is a small access notice board and a fingerpost for a bridleway to
Pepper's Wood.
The route climbs steeply at first through trees to a gate on to the open moor. Ignore the first footpath immediately on the left, but after 100 metres take the next bridleway left which climbs away from the wall. Ignore the first two tracks uphill to the left, (the second is your return route) and head eastward to cross Gill House Beck by a small ford, this track can be overgrown with bracken in early summer. Then cross another stream and head upwards, through rather boggy terrain, aiming for the radio mast to meet the rough track of the Kirkby Slate Road, where you turn left for a magnificent balcony walk. Follow the Kirkby Slate Road for about 1km, then turn right on the access road which climbs to a wind turbine. Ignore a footpath to the right. Turn left at the second wind turbine, then left again on a track through the heather to the summit cairn of Gray Crags at 330 metres, approximately 1½ hours from the start of the walk. Take in the stunning views in every direction.
From the summit, pass the last of the wind turbines, and take a track which curves left, looking out for a view to Coniston Water. Follow the track steeply downwards past old slate quarry workings. Turn left at the first reservoir along a footpath with some duck-boarding and way marker posts across a wet boggy area towards the edge of the quarry spoil heaps. The footpath then joins the active quarry road (this will be in use during the
working week) and you should look to rejoin and follow the wind turbine access road to the group or four turbines ahead. After the second turbine continue descending steering left of the third turbine (named Winnows on the OS map) and descend towards Rot Moss on the footpath to rejoin the bridleway and retrace your steps back to the start.
Facilities & map
Starting point: roadside at SD 242832
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5km
Ascent: 230m / 750ft
Broughton Open Access map view PDF
