TRAVEL: By rail: Brampton station (information 08457-484950; www.thetrainline.co.uk).

By road from south and west – M6 to Jct 43; A69 to Brampton bypass; right to next junction; right on B6413. First left to Brampton station, or continue to Castle Carrock and The Weary Inn. From Newcastle – A69 to Brampton bypass and B6413; then as from west.

WALK DIRECTIONS:

Start from The Weary Inn in Castle Carrock, or from Brampton station (see below).

From The Weary (543554) take Brampton road. Beyond post office, left (543557 – ‘Cowan’ fingerpost) along path for 200 yd, then right along lane to ford and bridge over Castle Carrock Beck (540562). Right to B6413; left across High Gelt Bridge. In 300 yards, right over stile (541564 – ‘Talkin’ fingerpost); diagonally left across field, aiming just to right of peaked roof on skyline. Left through gate (yellow arrow), up lane to Hill House farm (543566). Through farmyard (be bold with the collies!), following yellow arrows down lane into field. Aim for top left corner; through gate (545569), on with fence on left, through next gate (yellow arrow); across 2 fields; through gate onto drive (549573). Yellow arrow on post points forward to stone stile into Blacksmith’s Arms yard in Talkin.

Left to road junction; ahead (‘Talkin Tarn, Brampton’ sign). In ¾mile, just past Tarn End Hotel, right through kissing gate (543584 – ‘Talkin Tarn’ fingerpost). Bear left around Talkin Tarn for ½ mile. 100 yards past tea room, left (546591 – ‘Brampton Junction’ fingerpost) through trees and on to road (545596). Right to Brampton Station; left through kissing gate; cross footbridge, bear left along cinder path beside Carlisle-Newcastle platform. NB: Railway travellers start walk here – if coming from Newcastle, cross footbridge; if from Carlisle, go under footbridge and hairpin back left onto cinder path

In 2/3 (two-thirds) mile, path goes under A69 (542605); continue to road (538611). Left into Brampton via A6071. Left to Market Place and Moot Hall (531611); right to St Martin’s Church (528610).

Leaving church, left along Carlisle Road; first left (signed ‘Warwick Bridge’). In 200 yards, left through kissing gate (526608 – ‘Capon Tree Road’ fingerpost). Follow footpath (yellow arrows) for just over ½ mile across fields to road (527599). Cross and go down lane opposite (‘Low Gelt Bridge’ fingerpost). In 150 yd pass Capon Tree Memorial on left; ahead through gate to cross A69 (please take great care!). Continue along road to Low Gelt Bridge (520591). Left (‘Middle Gelt, Brampton’ fingerpost) on track through woods (at fork follow ‘Middle Gelt’ sign) for 1 ¾miles to Middle Gelt (532573). Cross bridge; take Greenwell road under viaduct. In 60 yd, left (Greenwell’ fingerpost) on path beside river for ½ mile to Greenwell (537566). Ahead along road. Follow blue bridleway arrows past houses, through gates, up grassy lane, then gravel track. At ford/bridge over Castle Carrock Beck (540562), right to retrace route to Castle Carrock.

LENGTH: 10 ½ miles

CONDITIONS: Field paths and lanes; riverside and woodland paths.

REFRESHMENTS: The Weary, Castle Carrock; Blacksmiths Arms, Talkin; Talkin Tarn tearoom; many places in Brampton.

INFORMATION: Local walks leaflets etc from Tourist Information Centre, Moot Hall, Brampton CA8 1RW (01697-73433; www.brampton.co.uk).