Chris Butler – Ravenstonedale recce

Ravenstonedale Walk 2^nd August 2025.
This is a new walk for the Fylde Naturalists.
There are no public toilets in Ravenstonedale, so we will stop for coffee and toilets before Tebay Services at Junction 38 Truckstop. We’ll park in Ravenstonedale and walk through the pleasant village which has some lovely old houses and nice gardens.
We cross the main road  and please take care here as it may be busy. We head onto a track and then across a grassy field to reach Smardale Bridge which is a Grade 2 listed bridge over Scandal Beck. We then follow a narrow track through a series of old quarries and head towards the Smardale Viaduct which was completed in 1861; it was designed by Sir Thomas Bouch for the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway. It is no longer a railway line, but has been restored for walkers.
We pass some disused lime kilns and head back towards Smardale Bridge. Next, we head up a small incline and head towards a farm, then along a small beck and onto a track which takes us under the main road.
From there, it’s a short stroll to the King’s Head pub, which has a beer garden alongside the river. It’s also very nice inside if it’s raining!
The walk is around 5 and a half miles, with open views and 5 stiles.
Enjoy!!