Semer Water

Monday 7th February 2022

Thwarted by the weather again, I changed my Lakeland plans and visited an area that I didn't think I'd ever been to before. But afterwards, having chatted to my parents it transpires that I did go with them as a child. Memorable for them as they managed to lock the car keys in the boot !

No such drama's for me today, the route was extremely quiet, in fact I saw more birds of prey than I did fellow walkers. Quite a lot of gradual ascent for the first hour, but easier going after that.

I parked in Bainbridge and followed a 2000 year old Roman Road before heading over into Raydale and after visiting Marsett, skirted around the very beautiful and still Semer Water before enjoying a walk by the side of the River Bain back to Bainbridge.

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Distance: 8.6 miles

Duration: 4:15 hours

Ascent: 1893 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Accompanied By: On my Own

Weather: Cold & Breezy

3D outline of route

Parking

Parked up alongside the village green in Bainbridge

Leaving Bainbridge behind as I gradually gain height on the roadside

Askrigg Common in the distance

The Romans did like a straight road !

It was along here that I was treated to a fly past by a beautiful white Barn Owl - Apparently it lives in an old building ruin alongside the Roman Road.

After a constant and gradual ascent, I turned left and headed up and over the high ground alongside Mire Crag.

These chaps followed me all the way up - they must be fans of the website !

Straight on for me.

First glance of Semer Water as I start the descent into Raydale. Could have done with my microspikes - didn't pack them today foolishly, the ground was frozen and slippy in places and was steepish at times making it easy to slip and tumble.

Hello little fella !

Arriving at the very tiny hamlet of Marsett.

This cobbled ford is too deep to walk through, but fortunately a small footbridge is alongside

An old dales ruin just below the tiny hamlet of Stalling Busk

Remains of an old chapel and it's graveyard alongside. Whilst taking this photo a Kestrel flew out of the ruins and passed close by - too quick for me to adjust and take a photo of it though.

The path gradually approaches the very quiet and pretty Semer Water

Plenty of birdlife on the lake - but unfortunately I'm certainly not skilled enough to identify the birds I saw, plus I don't have any binoculars which doesn't help.

Departing the very quite lake in an Easterly direction

And joining the River Bain - Apparently this is one of the shortest named rivers in the whole country.

Canada Geese - hundreds of them !

Looks like another uphill coming up.

Final glance back at what was a very enjoyable walk alongside the lake and river.

Heading down towards Bainbridge with it's very distinctive cream coloured Rose & Crown Hotel in prime position.

At the end of the walk it was time to enjoy the thunderous Bain as it heads quickly towards the River Ure. I should have taken a photo of it, but on the other side of the bridge is a large archimedes screw - pretty impressive, and it generates the power for the locals who live here.