LITMIR.BIZ

      A path has been built in the ‘mad’ River Gelt, leading walkers upstream through the woods

      Turn left through a car park to follow a well-wooded path upstream beside the River Gelt. Keep right at a path junction to remain close to the river and study its narrow rocky channel. Part of the path has been built in the river, then there are steps leading uphill.

      Pass old quarry faces, where the path climbs above the river then descends to cross a bridge over Hell Beck. The little stream of Hell Beck is reputed to have flowed red with blood for three days after a battle in 1570. Climb from the river again, then head downhill and pass some small waterfalls. The path suddenly emerges from the woods to join a road, which is followed straight ahead beneath the towering arches of a railway viaduct.

      Middle Gate Viaduct was one of the earliest skew-arched viaducts in the country, completed in 1853. The masonry is reputed to have been modelled with carved chunks of turnip, so that the stonemasons and engineers could understand how the odd-shaped blocks would support the arch.

      Follow the road up through a crossroads and continue to the little village of Talkin. The Blacksmiths Arms offers food, drink and accommodation. Turn left in the village to follow another road to the former Tarn End Hotel, now apartments. Turn right along a short path leading to the shore of Talkin Tarn, then consider two options.

      Legend tells how a village once occupied the site of Talking Tarn. An angel of God visited, but was ill-treated by all the inhabitants, except for one old widow. In retribution, the village was drowned in the tarn, except for the old widow. Some say that the tarn is bottomless, while others say that on stormy nights the church bells of the drowned village can be heard tolling beneath the water.

      Popular Talkin Tarn Country Park is home to the Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club, which was founded in 1859, making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. Regattas have been held here for even longer, since 1849. Facilities for visitors include a ranger service, education cabin, bird observatory, tea room, toilets, campsite, and a path running all the way round the shore.

      To continue, either turn left along the shoreline path, passing the boating club, then turn left again as signposted for Brampton Junction, or turn right to walk round the quieter side of the tarn before turning right for Brampton Junction. The latter choice adds very little distance to the day’s walk. Leaving Talkin Tarn, woods give way to a field path, which in turn leads to the Brampton Fell Road. Turn right and follow the road to Brampton Station.

      Cross the footbridge over the railway, go through a gate and turn left to follow a track parallel to the railway. The track gradually veers right, away from the railway, and was formerly a railway line itself. The Dandy Line, as it was known, was a horse-drawn line leading to Brampton. It passes woods and runs beneath the busy A69, then heads through fields until a missing bridge requires walkers to drop down steps to the right. Turn left along a road and generally keep left to follow roads back into the centre of Brampton.

WALK 2

      Hallbankgate and Cold Fell

      Cold Fell is the last big, broad, boggy moorland hump at the northern end of the North Pennines. Cold by name and cold by nature, it can feature snowy slopes long after the nearby plains have thawed. The easiest access is from the village of Hallbankgate, if arriving by bus, while motorists can use an RSPB car park on the road to Howgill.

      There is a pleasant grassy path at first, but rugged boggy slopes later. In case of mist, handy post-and-wire fences can be followed across the broad and open higher slopes.