Carbra one

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We made our way out of Carlisle centre, passing a large Asda and then meandered through some cobbled streets and across a park.

On our way out of Scotby, we walked over a stile, down an unpaved country lane where we were presented with three gates (the route suggests walking in
between the long row of Hawthorn trees, but upon further inspection, the route has been blocked with metal gates further along).
We would suggest walking alongside the trees in the field to the left and across the golf course, into a section of shaded woods.

From there, we followed the A69 along the pavement into Warwick Bridge to refuel at Sally’s tea shop, which is opposite the Co-op.

The cycle route 72 road out of Warwick Bridge was a bit hairy in places as cars appeared rather suddenly around the corners! Once we moved off that road,
we wandered through Hayton and through quieter unpaved county roads towards Brampton, which has a good selection of pubs and shops.

A decent route from Carlisle to Brampton, making up the first section of our five day walk from Carlisle to Newcastle.

Walking out of Carlisle, keep an eye out for the Asda supermarket that you pass on your right - might be handy for picking up supplies for the day ahead.

We made our way through Melbourne Park and onwards to meet our first hill of the day up to Durranhill. Crossed a bridge over the busy M6 and along past Scotby Grange.

Plan for a pit-stop at Scotby village shop and stores. There are benches opposite with pretty views across to the fells - a good location to enjoy a coffee.

After passing under a railway track, the trail tried to direct us right over a stile and along a footpath between a corridor of Hawthorn trees. This had been blocked so we improvised by climbing a nearby gate to get into the field and following the path along. Lots of sheep here. The kissing gates along this stretch are dinky so if you have a bulky rucksack prepare to squeeze through.

A quick dash across the golf course leads into shaded woods. Keep an eye out for the bilberry bushes if you fancy a forage. Plenty of wildflowers to be spotted too along the length of the route.

Road walking takes you to Warwick Bridge and another refuel stop at Sally’s friendly tea shop, which is just across from Co-op.

More road walking takes you past Toppin Castle. There was traffic and several larger lorries rumbling by. Not the most relaxing for this reason.

Cross the bridge over the river Gelt. Nice rapids! And then careful attention is needed to cross the A69.

Note the red sandstone cross on the outskirts of Brampton that marks the site of a Capon tree that once stood there. Investigate the memorial further for a slice of Jacobite history.

Arrive into Brampton to find a selection of pubs and shops.

This is a gently undulating walk out of Carlisle, mainly on small roads and footpaths, as well as through a little wood and a golf course! It is important to note that there is section on a road with no pavement (Corby Hill to Hayton), which has really fast cars and lorries swooping past. Care should be taken at this point. However the other off-road sections and quieter lanes were very pleasant and calm at the time of walking.

We left Carlisle and towards Melbourne Park, which can be cut through, however the route skirts around it, passing wild flowers and a bike pump track.

We followed paved roads through Durranhill, over the M6 to Scotby. Scotby has a small village shop, where hot drinks can be purchased. Here we sat on a nice bench with a coffee, overlooking the next section of the walk.

From Scotby we turned left and continued on paved roads until taking a stile and passing under a bridge through to a field. Here the footpath to the right had been locked and blocked, so we had to climb over the gate ahead of us and follow the line of trees to the right. It was quite muddy with lots of sheep, but lovely to be off the roads. From there we then crossed through a golf course to a wooded section with lots of wild bilberries growing.

From the woods we then emerged into Warwick, by a pub and then turned right onto the pavement along the A69 to Warwick Bridge. Here we stopped for Lunch at Sally’s cafe, there is also a co-op to get resupplies.

From there we continued up the A69, turning right at the Medical Centre onto what appeared to be a small lane. As I mentioned earlier, this stretch was rather unenjoyable to do on a Monday afternoon. Would recommend keeping yourself visible at this section, as the bends in the road have cars appearing very suddenly!

Eventually we took a welcome left turn to Hayton, where the lanes quietened down.

Continuing over the A69 and onto a very narrow footpath with a low barbed fence and sweeping views to the left. The spire of the church of Brampton peeping over the meadow to the right was a lovely sight and we soon descended into the town.

Brampton has many places to eat, stay and resupply.

A good route that takes us away from the city, through fields and villages to a sizeable market town. Due to a few stiles, narrow footpaths, terrain and unpaved roads, it's not one for wheelchairs or buggies, but should be fine for all other users.

From Carlisle station we take the often busy Botchergate, with its pubs, shops and takeaways. Opposite a large retail park, we turn onto a residential road, and, after a couple of sideroads, we enter Melbourne Park. With good tarmac paths, and the odd footbridge, we move through and then around the park (you can carry on ahead at the junction which brings us to the same point if you wantva short cut).

From here, it's a series of paved roads walks through Botcherby and Scotby Bridge (a few slight inclines). Once over the bridge over the M6, we come into Scotby, a small village with a pub and a small shop. Taking the next junction, the road is paved up until the bridge over the beck, but we're not on it for much longer; a stile at a gate brings us to a track under the railway, and then across a field. The track, running between trees, can be muddy at times as it's also used by cattle, so it may be better to walk alongside it on the other side of the trees to the left or right, which is less churned up and pat-filled!

Through a kissing gate, and we're onto a golf course. It's well-fingerposted, with sections through woods and across fairways, but watch out for the golfballs! Once across, we enter Warwick Moor Wood, a nice green plantation. The way is good, if a little muddy. After a road crossing, the footpath heads through a series of fields, before arriving at The Queens pub and Warwick-on-Eden. Paved, we soon join the A69, and, after crossing the Warwick Bridge, we climb up through Warwick Bridge itself until we reach Corby Hill. Here we take a crossroads and then a lengthy unpaved road walk. There's good verges (although they do vanish at one corner), but at time to survey it was quite quiet, although best to have your wits about you.

Eventually we finally hit the footpaths again, through soggy fields, past a playground and so into Hayton. Past the church, it's paved, but that soon vanishes, and we're onto quiet unpaved country roads once more, and almost constantly uphill. Once over Lower Gelt Bridge (with nice rapids!), we're on another unpaved road, although this one is a dead-end, only serving a couple of houses.

At the end, a gate, and we cross the A69, and pass the Capon Tree memorial, site of the execution of six Jacobites in 1746. Crossing the road, we're onto another footpath. It's quite narrow, and the overgrown foliage almost feels like it's pushing is onto the barbed wire fence at times, but it soon widens. Although it's quite often muddy, wet, and the long grass soaking your trousers, it's worth the struggle! We eventually emerge onto a paved road, and once around the corner, we're in the centre of Brampton.

Transport links at both ends, with shops and pubs along the way, it's a good varied route, although with perhaps more unpaved road walking than I'd prefer.

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