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Smardale by Kathy Trimmer

Walking in Smardale
Smardale offers a variety of easy circular walks amid beautiful undulating scenery. Walkers can start either from Ravenstonedale or from Newbiggin-on-Lune and return to either village. All options can be completed in about 2 hours but another hour can easily be added for pausing to enjoy this hidden and peaceful part of Cumbria.

Starting from Ravenstonedale (click on picture to enlarge)
Visitors can park their cars on the triangular car park next to the village school. From the car park walk down the road past St Oswald's church on the left, over the stream and turn right at the road junction. About 100 yards on the left is a stile with signpost. Climb the stile and cross the field diagonally right to a second stile that leads onto the A685. Across the road is another stile with signpost that leads into Smardale. The track from here is easily followed.
The path leads across farmland, between copses, to county bridge which is crossed by the coast-to-coast walk. Don't cross the bridge but walk a little up the track, walled on both sides, to a stile in the wall on the left hand side. Once over the stile the valley opens up and Smardale Gill viaduct can be seen in the distance.
The track is easily followed as far as the viaduct which offers a fine stopping point with views back up the valley and into the wooded nature reserve downstream. This is the midpoint on the walk. Cross the viaduct, continuing along the track which was the route of the former Tebay-Darlington railway line.
After a short distance some unusual lime kilns will be seen on the right. These kilns are exceptionally large and once formed the basis of commercial lime production with the railway offering a means of transporting the lime to industrial centres.
Some distance after the kilns are some abandoned houses on the same side of the track. Shortly after these derelict houses is a stone bridge crossing over the track.
There is a choice of routes from this point. You can either continue along the track to Newbiggin-on-Lune or go left up the embankment to return to Ravenstonedale.

Alternative A : Return direct to Ravenstonedale
This alternative is preferable if children are involved as it avoids the eventual need to walk along the busy A685 between Newbiggin-on-Lune and Ravenstonedale. After passing under the stone bridge go left up the embankment to a wooden stile which takes you safely over the fence which borders the old railway line. Turn right and walk down towards county bridge. Cross the bridge and take the gate immediately on the right, returning to Ravenstonedale by retracing the route taken earlier.

Alternative B : Return via Newbiggin-on-Lune
Continuing along the old railway track brings you to Newbiggin-on-Lune. Simply continue along the track as far as you can and you will end up in Newbiggin-on-Lune. Lune Springs Garden Centre is located in the centre of the village across the A596 and offers teahouse refreshments in a lovely setting. Return to Ravenstonedale by first walking through the village before emerging on the A685. Walk along the verge for about half a mile before taking the first road right into the village and past the King's Head hotel to return to the car park. This is the most unattractive part of this route as it is heavily used by fast-moving traffic. Great care is needed.

Starting from Newbiggin-on-Lune
Smardale can be enjoyed by a circular route from Newbiggin-on-Lune. This alternative offers the advantage of not having to walk far on the busy A685. Start from the garden centre, cross the A685 and take the left track which, after a short walk, leads to the dismantled railway line that now forms a track running through Smardale. Continue along the track and cross Smardale Gill viaduct. Immediately after crossing the viaduct take a track down to the right. The path from here is easily followed to county bridge. Cross the bridge and continue uphill along the track through a gate keeping the wall to your left. After a further mile or so Newbiggin-on-Lune can be seen ahead and the track leads to the starting point.