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You will eventually reach a beck with stepping stones across - see photo above on right (this is the first of the so-called 3 rivers). Cross the beck and turn right before the gate.* Follow the path round until you reach the second beck – cross and continue up the slope before descending towards a tiny stone bothy.  See photo on right.  Cross the third and final beck -  and begin your descent. You'll pass out of open fields, through a gate and into a path with stone walls on either side. Pass between two houses (Croft Head & Ulthwaite) here the stone track turns into a tarmacked driveway – follow this until you reach a path on your right just before a pack-horse bridge. Take the path, which runs parallel to the river, and before long you’ll find yourself back where you started. 

 

*This walk can be extended if you continue straight on through the gate and  follow the path to Kentmere Hall .  You can return along the valley bottom via Kentmere Tarn.  Turn right through a field just beyond Kentmere Hall - there is a wooden sign.  (You'll see it has an amazing old bell tower). You follow this path along the valley bottom through fields, woodland and past Kentmere Tarn.  You will walk through a small factory and straight on through the gardens of a very pretty pottery.  Across a narrow bridge and up a short track to a T junction where you turn left.  You will re-join the Three  Rivers Rivers route just above Croft Head

 

 

Kentmere Resevoir (4 hours) This beautiful walk can be done from the farm by continuing on from Kentmere Hall and returning on the other side of the valley to the church, from where you take the footpath back along the river via Kentmere tarn. 

 

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The Kentmere Horseshoe   (12.3 miles/5-6 hours)

Kentmere Horseshoe or Kentmere Round, is one of the longest and most remote walks in the Lake District.  It starts at the at Kentmere village hall and traverses all the fells bounding the upper Kentmere valley and its reservoir.  You can add a few miles and trek from the farm. You will need a map.  

 

Climbing steadily to the top of the Garburn Pass and turning right to head north the first Wainwright fell of Yoke is quickly in view.  There follows a fine undulating ridge walk from Yoke, over Ill Bell and then Froswick before it terminates at Thornthwaite Crag where the is a tall beacon. 

 

(If your very keen, you can head to High Street from here or drop over to Mardale - the flooded valley. There are a couple of small tarns nearby with water for dogs. Just bear in mind it is a long walk back and you need to plan your time.)

 

A drop of 130m to the Nan Bield pass and then a long 142m ascent to Harter Fell.  It’s quite steep so walking poles help! There is a fine view of Small Water and Haweswater from up here.  When you reach Harter Fell you have ‘turned the corner’ and head south towards Kentmere Pike. 

 

There is a slight drop and a little ascent whilst following the fence to Kentmere Pike.  Continuing to Shipman Knotts needs a little more care.  A fork in the path diverts from the ridge and misses  both tops so check your map here.  Shipman Knotts itself is a strewn with bumps and outcrops of rock.  Floow the wall down past Wray Crag.  The path gets a bit rocky and steep but you soon get on to the track which takes you westwards and back to Kentmere.  From here take the footpath along the river back to the farm.    Pass through the factory and follow the sign to the pottery. The footpath winds through a garden and then brings you out above Croft Head as described in the Three Rivers Walk. 

 

To download a map go to: https://where2walk.co.uk/walks/lake_district/kentmerehorseshoe/

 

 

Hugil Fell and Reston Scar (3.5 miles)

At the bottom of Browfoot Lane take the road towards the village.  Almost immediately on your right a concrete track climbs the fellside to a cottage called ‘Hillside’ high above the road.  A small pedestrian gate at its bottom has a ‘Access’ Land’ sign on the post.  Climb the track and, as it bears right to the cottage, continue ahead through a field gate and onto the fell.

 

Continue ahead for a short time, then bear right onto the ATV track zig zaging up the steep grass.  A beck trickles down to your left. 

 

The zig zags don’t take long and the path bears further right towards a wall corner.  Don’t cross the wall, but continue past and the small summit cairn of Hugil Fell perched on the rocky hillock soon comes into view a little further on.  Much of the Kentmere round of fells can be seen to the north.  From the cairn on Hugil Fell, the small knoll of Reston Scar is roughly SSW.  To get there you have to take a slightly roundabout route.

 

Continue ahead on the clear grass path and keep left, heading for the obvious gateway in the wall.  Cross the boggy patch hidden in the dip, probably poached by cattle.  Go through the kissing gate just to the left of the field gateway.  Turn left and climb over the grassy knoll and down the other side.  Bear right to go through a gateway and into a young tree plantation.  Follow the winding path initially left and then right, to a gate in the wall above.

 

The summit cairn of Reston Scar is barely 110m ahead on top of a limestone outcrop. 

 

To return to Staveley bear left from the summit and follow the grass path.  Kemp Tarn should come into view as the descent steepens.  The path keeps well to the right of the tarn and drops through the field to a gate.  Go through and immediately turn right to go through another gate onto a track.  Follow this track round to the left, passing below the water treatment works, then right before another left to another gate.  Go through and continue down to the cottages.  Continue ahead to Brow Lane and turn left.  This quiet road passes the school and comes out at the war memorial.  Turn left to return to the farm.

 

 

Staying Safe on the Fells

There is nothing more exhilarating than being out in the hills, but please be aware when walking or biking in the fells, conditions can change very fast.  Even if the day looks sunny, the weather can be very different on the tops.  When walking, always carry a waterproof, extra layers, a hat, wear suitable footwear (walking boots preferably) and carry water and snacks. In the summer, sunscreen and a sun hat are advisable. For longer walks you will need a map and be aware that if the weather is getting worse and visibility is poor it is advisable to get to lower ground.  Take your phone, you may get a signal but you can't rely on it. If you are walking alone, it is advisable to make sure someone knows where you are going, and when you expect to return.

 

The Mountain Rescue Service will help in an emergency but please be aware that they are a group of volunteers who raise all their own funds to assist people who genuinely get into difficulties on the hills.  During Covid they are more stretched than ever so please make sure you go out properly prepared.

Tel: 01539 727134