The original route of the Cumbria Way (CW) goes through the farmyard at the very active Old Hall Farm, where large farm vehicles and cattle are often active. This caused problems and safety concerns for both walkers and the farmer, so we had discussions with the farmer, The Ramblers Association (who originated the Cumbria Way) and the local authority, and it was agreed to change the route to avoid the farmyard. The new route re-joins the original Cumbria Way just after the farmyard.

The new CW route is now current and has been waymarked, and the old sign directing up the old route removed. Here are the details of this change, which are also shown on the following map, below which is a description of the new route and the new waymarks: –

• From The Gill, where the CW starts, both old and new routes follow the path up Gill Banks, very soon taking the left hand fork. About 200m further on you reach a junction where the old CW route turns 90° left over a bridge across the gill – do not go that way now, since it climbs steeply up an eroded path before turning right through fields and then through the farmyard at Old Hall Farm, which can be blocked by cattle and big farm vehicles moving in this busy working farm.
• Instead, continue straight on up the Gill Banks path – there are slate signs on the wall on the right directing the way.
• The Gill Banks path climbs more gently and stays quite close to the attractive gill stream. Go straight on where another path joins diagonally from the right, to reach a kissing gate out of the wood into an open field.
• Go straight on again across the field, which can be muddy after rain, to reach a kissing gate onto Old Hall Lane. Turn left here onto Old Hall Lane and walk along the left hand side of the lane for about 380m – it typically has very little traffic.
• You then reach the entrance track to Old Hall Farm on the left – turn down the track towards the farm, but look out for the fingerpost pointing right immediately before the old farm buildings. You are now back on the original CW route.

Cumbria Way New Waymarks

These waymarks were designed in collaboration with The Ramblers, who originated the Cumrbai Way, and the Lake District National Park, Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council. Lookout for them: Yellow for a path, Blue for a bridleway, Red for a byway and White for a road.