Cumbria
The Three Rings of Shap consists of three circular routes all from Shap done as an Anytime Challenge, for which badges and certificates are available on the completion of 1, 2 or all 3 Rings.
The routes provide varied options in more remote and less frequented parts of the Lake District's eastern limits, that are traversed by the Coast to Coast walk.
The routes visit remote moorlands and navigational skills are required. A location map for all three Rings is below while similar maps for each of the Rings are on the separate pages for each Ring on the Variants links below. To see the Wainwright Coast to Coast overlaid, that passes through Shap, tick 'Linked Paths' - other linked paths will also then be shown.
Ring 1 MOSEDALE (18 miles): Travelling west from Shap this ring passes above the aptly named Wet Sleddale reservoir to reach remote Mosedale Cottage via quiet and secluded moorland. It then ascends two of Haweswater's 'Wainwrights', Branstree and Selside Pike, offering superb views of High Street and Eastern Lakeland. Descending to the hidden valley of Swindale with its magnificent waterfalls and the Truss Gap checkpoint the route returns to Shap through the hamlets of Rosgill and Keld passing historic Shap Abbey on the way.
Ring 2 LYVENNET, LEITH & LOWTHER (24 miles): A fine low-level journey through farm and parkland visiting the quiet Westmorland villages of Reagill, Morland, Hackthorpe & Bampton Grange and providing an intimate view of the three eponymous and little known rivers. Even on its own this walk is no pushover.
Ring 3 GREAT ASBY (20 miles): In complete contrast this ring follows Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast route out of Shap for several miles before leaving it to explore the National Nature Reserve of Great Asby Scar in classic limestone country east of the Lake District National Park. It returns on the Westmorland Way, passing through Crosby Ravensworth and Oddendale on the way back to Shap.
Details:
| Path Type: |
Anytime Challenges |
| Attributes: |
Anytime Challenges
Challenging
Moorland
Mountain
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| Start and Finish: |
NY563151 -
Shap, Cumbria
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| Web Sites: |
LDWA Cumbria - Three Rings of Shap
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