Strenuous Leader : Malcolm Distance : 10 miles
Height Gain, approx. 1500 ft.
We head north out of Grange up through Eggerslack Wood to Hampsfield Farm, before turning south to ascend the Hospice summit on Hampsfell. If the weather is kind, we can enjoy the glorious views over Morecambe Bay.
Our onward journey takes us west to Cartmel, passing the beautifully impressive old Priory. We will then trend back to Grange via the golf course and Eden Mount.
Some of the route may be muddy under foot and some of the paths are slippery – so please bring your poles.
Moderate Leader: Pamela Distance : 8.5 miles (ish)
Height Gain, approx. 1200 ft.
We head north out of Grange skirting Eggerslack Wood to the Hospice summit on Hampsfell where we will stop for a little water break before carrying on and skirt Hampsfell and Longlands Allotment. We will secure a lunch spot up here or if time is on our side we will lunch in Cartmel.
We will head back to the coach park in Grange via the golf course, farmland and the Promenade. Please bring poles and smiles.
Easy Leader: Jackie Distance: 4.5-5 miles
After visiting the toilets in the park, we have a short walk along Windermere Road, turning off for a climb through Eggerslack Wood on a steepish stony path. Then forest trails to emerge out of the woodland near High Farm. We should be able to find some stony ground to sit on to have our lunch in this area. Predominantly downhill from here, all on lanes and promenade to arrive back in Grange through the park.
Please note this walk is likely to be at a slower pace than you are accustomed to. Please bear with me on this.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Once a small coastal village, Grange over Sands was transformed into a fashionable resort by the coming of the Furness Railway linking it with Lancaster. Villas and hotels were built to take advantage of the exceptionally mild climate which is due to the sheltered south facing aspect of the coast here.
Though the sands are not safe for bathing, this is more than compensated for by the extensive promenade gardens along the sea front. Because of the mild climate the gardens boast rock-plants, alpines and even subtropical species. Away from the hotels, shops and cafes there are some lovely walks, none nicer than the path behind the town which climbs through the magnificent limestone woodlands, rich in wildflowers. The path leads to Hampsfell Summit and the Hospice, a little stone tower from which there is an unforgettable view of Morecambe Bay and the craggy peaks of the Lake District. The tower, known as the Hospice, was provided by a pastor of Cartmel in the last century for the shelter and entertainment of wanderers. An external flight of stairs leads to a flat roof and the viewing-point. See if you can work out the riddle scrawled on one of the walls.
Grange is also the starting point of the Cistercian Way, an exceptionally interesting thirty-seven-mile footpath route through Furness to Barrow, linking many sites of Cistercian interest.
Cartmel is one of the prettiest villages in Furness, consisting of a delightful cluster of houses and cottages set around a square, from which lead winding streets and arches into charming back yards. The village is dominated by the famous Cartmel Priory, founded in 1188 by Augustine Canons.
The sands of Morecambe Bay are notorious because of the dangerous incoming tide which sweeps in by a bore, faster than a galloping horse, surrounding sandbanks and softening them into quick sands before covering them. At low tide there is a safe passage along certain routes. Before the days of rail and car there were recognized highways across the sands, saving the long journey around the bay. However, the channels and quick sands frequently changed position, so the monks of Cartmel Priory provided a guide service for travellers.
The service is provided by the official sand pilot, Cedric Robinson undertook this service for many years, taking groups of intrepid walkers across the sands from far afield often raising money for charity. His work continues today by Michael Wilson.