Stanshope, Castern

1 hr 23 mins

3.61 miles (5.81Km)

Limited layby parking on edge of Stanshope, left hand side heading towards Ilam.

SK127541

Head on road in direction of Ilam for approx 400 mtrs from layby on edge of village of Stanshope.
Take footpath on right signposted “Castern”.
Cross field diagonally leftwards to gate, just left of far left hand corner of field.
Up next 2 fields over stiles following signs to Castern.
Continue uphill to begin with keeping wall on your right passing through 3 gates.
Continue in same direction, still keeping wall on your right but towards bottom of field, take stile on right signposted “Concession path avoiding farmhouse”.
Diagonally left across field to another gate.
Continue in same direction to another gate 50 mtrs right of farm buildings.
Cross farm track, through gate and turn right (signposted “Wetton”) onto concrete track to begin with.
Over stile left of metal gate and follow wide path which contours hillside for short distance before dropping down to gate and stile.
Follow wide path bearing right slightly and heading gently uphill.
At top of field, don’t take stile by gate ahead of you but follow the wall along leftwards towards the cluster of trees and summer house.
Just before the trees take the stile on your right by a metal gate.
Follow the path beyond, keeping the steep slope on your left and enjoying the fantastic views over the Manifold valley.
Follow this all the way passing a number of gates and stiles until the path drops downhill gently to a stile (a barn is visible ahead of you on the horizon).
Follow path to narrow lane heading approximately in the direction of the barn.
Turn right onto lane and follow uphill, passing crossroads at brow of hill.
Straight on at crossroads heading downhill and after another 500 mtrs, take footpath on right over stile.
Diagonally left across large field to gate and stile at far left corner.
Straight on keeping wall on left and take stile on left just after water trough.
Head diagonally rightwards downhill, avoid the paths left and right in the dip and head straight on uphill to a gate by the telegraph pole.
Continue along top edge of 3 fields passing through gates and stiles.
At 4th field (barns ahead of you at far end of field), head diagonally leftwards downhill to gate at bottom corner of field.
Turn right onto road and head through the village of Stanshope back to car