Reeth, Surrender Bridge

Park your car on the wide grassy knoll above Barney Beck at the junction of the road to Healaugh. From this point cross the cattle grid and bridge and climb a short distance to a wide stone track on your left, leave the road and continue along this bridleway used by Keepers and farmers to access the remote moors of Melbecks, Friarfold and Gunnerside. We have the tenacity of the former lead miners and their masters to thank for the many paths in this area and probably the best example of a preserved former smelting mill, now a scheduled ancient monument. So follow the track with the Beck to your left and in approximately one mile spend a little time exploring the ruins of The Old Gang Smelt Mill. Built around 1790 it smelted ore mined from this large area. If you look up the hillside behind the mill buildings you will see the ruins of a chimney and the peat houses which were capable of storing a years supply of fuel. These strange bunker like structures had a thatched roof to protect their contents from the ravages of upland weather. Nature has had more than one hundred years to reclaim this landscape for the Mill closed in 1898. In approximately one mile a track swings off to your right, don't be tempted to take this route to the high moor, it is used by keepers to access the grouse butts and is not a right of way. In a further half mile you will see a distinctive track swing off to the left over Level House Bridge, disregard this and pass through the field gate keeping Hard Level Gill Beck to your left. The whole length of this stream is a favourite haunt of dippers and because the water is so clear they can often be seen dipping under the surface and emerging some distance away. Very often, they will forage upstream and I am always amazed by the strength of this small bird as it battles against the fast flowing water. Your route begins to swing to an Easterly direction as it passes through the moon like landscape of Forefield Rake. At this point you may wish to take a short detour to the summit of Great Pinseat although there is no official footpath. Returning to the path you are now on the homeward stretch and the landscape changes to moor land grasses and sedges, this is the area where frogs choose their crèche in spring. Even the smallest puddle will be full of spawn making them the worst of parents but popular with feasting waders. This often wet stretch of path leaves you puddle hopping back toward Barras End where the path slowly descends to the road and right for a few hundred yards back to the start of your walk.