Correction! Before Bobbin Mill Tunnel was reopened the path did not cross the A66. It went under the road bridge, initially as a raised walkway, then from 2000 along a boardwalk beside the river which washed away during storm Desmond in December 2022.🙂
They are thinking of opening the Keswick to Penrith line again, that would be fantastic as long as the also incorporate the cycle path from Keswick to Penrith allowing cycling all the way along the route. God knows where they will find over a quarter of a billion to replace it though.
Highly unlikely this idea of replacing the Keswick to Penrith rail link , even as a tourist line - the costs would be astronomical and the Railway Footpath / Cycle Path would be destroyed ! The refurbished path is well enough done except for the awful tarmac surface and widened from the original . Out of interest to walkers who are new to the path you may not have noticed , just before the last bridge , there is a path off to the right - this climbs up and round before down back to the river. going under the A66 flyover , If you follow the path it stops at a gate opposite a small bungalow . Turn left on the road and cross the bridge . The interest here is that one river ( the Greta) flows out of the bridge but if you cross to the righthand side 2 flow in under it _ These are the Glenderamackin and St John's Beck ! !f you walk up the road towards the A66 you will see a small gate on the right - go through this gate and drop down to the original rail bed of the Keswick to Penrith railway !! It still has the original ballast in places ! Continue , crossing an old iron bridge. and follow the embankment through the trees and then cross Station Road and directly up the small zigzag path - as the path levels out you will see parts of the platform of Threlkeld Station ! If you fancy an Ice Cream or homemade sweets or biscuits cross the carpark , turn left on the road and walk along before crossing over the railway cutting and into the Caravan Site where you will see a tiny hut containing the aforementioned "goodies" and an honesty box ! If you wish you can walk down the tarmac road and follow it round past the Farmhouse and back to the embankment , noting the entrance and stone steps which led up to the platforms (now , sadly bricked up !) on the left just beyond the cottages ! Should you wish to visit the village I strongly suggest retracing your steps back to the last bridge before the zigzag path - the A66 is not a road to attempt to cross on foot !!!!!
Thanks Paul, another great guide (keep them coming!). We walked this path in June and its definitely in my top 3 walks in the Lake district, the views are stunning as you cross the river over and over. A gentle, easy walk - we walked both ways and enjoyed a lovely coffee and a cake at the cafe behind the village hall in Threlkeld - a popular spot also! A highly recommended walk for everyone, the little and frequent information boards are a great addition. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks David. 😀 It is a great walk, I did consider walking back but I wouldn’t have made the car park in time so opted for the bus. I popped into the cafe you mentioned for a coffee but couldn’t get a table - it was absolutely packed - so I made do with a bottle of pop and wandered around the village while I waited for the bus. 👍🏻😀
Was in Keswick this week and walked the path. Unfortunately there is currently a closure about 3km from the start at 12:18 on the video. To get to Threlkeld you have to divert on a farm road (not flat). They hope to have it reopened in by the end of the month.
Thank you😀! Yes all good thanks. Change of job at the start of the year has left me short of time so unable to get out and about. Still plan to do some more vids but may be springtime before I get the chance. 👍🏻
