Devil's Bridge, Radical Steps - Kirkby Lonsdale

Start: Devil's Bridge car park, Kirkby Lonsdale. Grid ref. SD 616 782

(S/E) From the car park, walk across the bridge and enjoy the view as you cross. At the end of it, just before the second car park, turn directly right to cross the gate following the "Public Footpath to Church via Radical steps wooden post" and directly right again to reach River Lune riverside. From here, you can enjoy a nice view from the bottom of the two bridges. Then turn left to walk away from the bridges.

If you have limited mobility just ignore the detour down the river and carry straight on the flat ground as there are quite a lot of roots as you walk downhill.

(1) Just before the end of the "rocky beach" find a single track again on your left into the trees. Walk up the hill left to reach the main path where you turn right. Walk along the riverside with the river on your right until you reach houses with warming tables and benches for a lunch break. Along the way, you will walk past a broken gate and a welcoming bench as the path curves left.

(2) At the Y-junction, with the information board and wooden waypost, keep straight towards "Radical Steps, Ruskins View".

The steps are quite steep so if you wish to avoid them turn left here along Mill Brow and catch up the route again at waypoint

(3) The path goes away from the river, up the "Radical Steps" Constructed in 1820 by Dr Francis Pearson of this Parish. Originally comprising 46 Steps with 11 landings. At the top, reach a tower and a cemetery. Unfortunately, Riskin's view footpath is closed for now, so turn left to walk into the churchyard. At the Y-junction take the path on the left through St. Mary's churchyard.

(4) Walk behind the church and keep left to take a small alleyway and reach "Swine Market" Square. Walk to the road. Turn right along "Mill Brow" Street to reach the main street where you turn left along the pavement. Enjoy the main street where you can find shops and cafes.

(5) Opposite "Number Forty Four patisserie & brasserie", turn left in the tiny "Salt Pie Lane". Be careful as it is easy to miss!At the end of the lane reach a T-junction where you turn right past "Stoop House".

(6) As the street curves right, keep going downhill under the bridge. Keep walking downhill on this paved footpath all the way down to the car park with toilets you previously encountered at the start. Turn left past the toilets to cross Devil's Bridge again and back to the car park(S/E).

Start: Devil's Bridge car park, Kirkby Lonsdale. Grid ref. SD 616 782

Parking : Free car park at Devil's Bridge

Facilities : Toilets at the second car park across Devil's bridge. (£0.50)