Allerdale Walks
WHY spend money on gym sessions when we in Allerdale are blessed with walks and cycle ways that would be the envy of city dwellers.
Not only is the area now criss-crossed by a much improved cycle way network, but long distance footpaths provide a great way to get fit and enjoy the countryside and the occasional well earned foaming pint of ale.
For example, recent work on a new cycle way across Winscales Moor means that there is a much safer cycle route now linking Whitehaven to Cockermouth that can be enjoyed away from the dangerous traffic flows on the A595.
If you start from Cockermouth, take the old A66 road to Brigham and stay with this much quieter old main road through to Bridgefoot. Here you take the new cycle way that dips and dives alongside the main A595 all the way to Lillyhall. Walk your cycle across the busier intersections and then regain the original cycle way that follows the former disused rail line gently downhill to Lowca and Parton. From Parton stay close to the sea and the waggonway gives level and traffic free way safely into Whitehaven. This route is part of the growing C2C cycle network.
 | Passing through the central Lake District this Coast to Coast (signposted as the C2C) mountain biking route provides around 130 miles of riding in total. Your start point can be either the lighthouse in Workington or the harbor in Whitehaven (Here there is a tradition of dipping your wheel in the Irish Sea and doing likewise in the North Sea at the end of your journey). |
On the 'Geordie' side of the C2C ride your finish can be either in Tynemouth (4 miles longer) or Sunderland. Details of the C2C are well explained on the useful website: http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/.
| If you take the Workington start for your ride, don't forget to call in and say hello to Black Tom. His is a 16th century tomb hidden in the church between the village of Camerton and the River Derwent. According to local legend, Black Tom's ghost haunts the churchyard. Black Tom is also the name of the village pub. Tom succeeded to the estate comprising all the land to the north and west of the river Derwent over to the sea which included the villages of Flimby, Seaton and Camerton. He gained a reputation of being a fearless warrior when the two Curwen families joined with other landowners on their many raids across the Scottish borders. |  |
For those seeking walking routes, the 50-mile Allerdale Ramble from Seathwaite at the top of Borrowdale takes walkers across Allerdale to Grune Point, north of Silloth. The Ramble is clearly signposted and marked with red diamonds on up to date Ordnance Survey maps. These maps have also recently upped their details and show long distance cycle ways as green dots along the roads and bridleways on the routes.
A neat guidebook to the Allerdale Ramble is Cumbria Way and the Allerdale Ramble by Jim Watson, in paperback - ISBN 1-85284-242-3. Published by Cicerone Press.
Another walk with a spiritual theme is St Bega's Way. This walk will take you from the ancient Priory at St Bees to the pre-Norman church of St Bega's at Bassenthwaite.
St Bega's Way follows in some of Wainwright's footsteps taking the easier route from St Bees to Ennerdale, then up the Ennerdale valley crossing into Borrowdale and on to St Bega's at Bassenthwaite via Derwentwater. This is a three-day walk, a mere 36 miles, from rural West Cumbria through to one of the most delightful parts of the Lake District. On the way you can find out about the legend of St Bega, both churches are dedicated to the saint. This mini pilgrimage would be an excellent way to spend a long weekend giving you a chance to forget some problems and lose a pound or two. A booklet on the St Bega Walk is published by the Credo Appeal Committee, Bassenthwaite PCC and costs £4.50 including postage. Available from Ros Downing, Langside, Bassenthwaite CA12 4QH.
The website for the walk is at http://www.stbegasway.co.uk/
