The route of the John Peel Trail (except for the Youth Hostel alternatives) has recently been resurveyed and the route description brought up to date. The updated route description and track files are now available on the Long Distance Paths database.

This is a new trail devised by Peter Grayson, a LDWA member local to the Millom area.
Some may have read the article in the winter edition of Strider of his epic inaugural walk of this route last year. My wife and I thought it sounded an interesting route so booked some time off at the beginning of the month.
Details behind the inspiration and history of the route can be read in Strider but it basically connects the two graves of John Peel in Whicham and John Peel in Caldbeck. The distance is just a tad under 70 miles. This can be comfortably covered over 4 days(don’t let the shorter miles put you off…the first 2 days cover some seriously ‘lumpy’ ground).
Covering the route over 4 days also makes accommodation logistics easier to book.
Here is an outline of our superb trip.
Car parked at Silecroft and took the obligatory photo at the grave…Then onwards (and upwards).

Day1: Black Combe, Whit Fell, Waberthwaite Fells, Devoke water and into Esk Dale. 16 miles.
1st night was spent at the King George IV…Superb value for money…functional, good comfort food, cheap ale(9 pumps), quirky landlord.

Day2: Irton fell, Greendale, Seatallan, Haycock,Crag Fell and down to Ennerdale Bridge. 16miles.
2nd night was in the Thorntrees B+B. New place that’s clean, modern, welcoming and again good value for the lakes. Fox and Hounds sells good comfort food..and again, decent, well priced ale.

Day3: Floutern Tarn, Mosedale, Loweswater, Coledale fells, Greystones, Dubwath. 19 miles(including a sting in the tail).
3rd night was at Link House. Lovely hotel with a very genial host. we ate here and the food was exceptional. A beer can be had at the rather eccentric ‘Pheasant’ over the road.

The final day to Caldbeck is relatively short with only a short climb onto Binsey(The most northerly Wainright) and a slight foray into the Caldbeck fells…finishing at John Peels grave.16 miles.
We did spend the last night at Caldbeck in the ‘Oddfellows arms…OK place…but nothing special.

With regards transport links we organised the walk to end on a ‘Wednesday’ as there is a weekly bus that travels to Carlisle at 09:30 then it’s the Barrow train back to Silecroft. Alternatively you could walk the last day of the ‘Cumbria way’ back to Carlisle.

The route is a belter! It crosses some of the lesser visited Western fells that the casual Lakeland walker never venture to. This includes pathless sections that require good navigation skills. We were blessed with great weather so this was never a problem…. there are sections where you could get caught out…But…There is an incredible route guide written by Peter that’s available from the LDWA website. Armed with this you won’t go far wrong.
Glenn and Val Costin, South Pennine LDWA.