Today we did a 3 mile looped walk up and across Bethecar Moor, to Brock Barrow.  This afforded us some beautiful scenery across Coniston Water and the fells beyond.

We parked on a layby at GR 293903, just north of High Nibthwaite village.  There’s only space for about 4 cars here.  If full, there’s a car park a little further north at GR 296909.

From here, walk southwards back towards the village, and take the track to the left up and through a gate.  Immediately take the path, on the right, signed High Bethecar and follow this path up and along the wall, along Caws Beck.  Be careful not to take the path headed left and up the sheer face!

We walked this route in July, and the bracken was out in full force!  This made the navigation both easy (on the way up following a clear path!) and difficult on the way down (no obvious path!)

At GR 301897 turn westwards and follow the path up to the monument for fantastic views over the lake and beyond.  To give you an idea of the spread of the bracken, we took a picnic blanket up with us, and for a long time wondered if we’d have enough room to put it down anywhere!  Thankfully, once at the top, there was a small clearing, just enough for our blanket!

After our lunch, we took the decision to head north north westerly, as this is land that is open for public access.  All started out well, as we followed a defined path through the bracken towards a second mini summit, north of the one with the monument.  We made it down to the edge of the wall and pretty much had to blag it through various bits of overgrown bracken until we finally reached the bridleway track at GR 297903.  You can see a map in the photos below.

To avoid bracken issues, there are two options.  1. return the way you came or 2. make a much larger loop, heading to Low Light Haw before dropping down onto the Bridleway track.  We didn’t really mind the bracken, and it turned it into a bit more of an adventure for the children!

Once back, we hopped into the car and headed north to Coniston village.  We parked at the Bluebird Cafe on the shore and spent a really fun afternoon paddle boarding and canoeing on the lake (boats/kayaks/paddle boards etc available for hire).  Finished the day off with a coffee and cake in the cafe itself.  Truly scrummy!

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We parked on the road and walked the loop anticlockwise