Shap Postman's Path

This is the path walked daily by the postman in the early 20th Century but be warned it is a long and tough walk and you should only attempt to do it if you are properly equipped and know how to take a bearing with map and compass. Mountain Rescue advise taking (and knowing how to use) a map and compass even if you have electronic aids for navigation. The walk will take about 4 to 5 hours.

Map: OS Explorer OL 5

Start: Shap main street. There is parking in the town centre.

Head north out of Shap and turn left (West) on the road to Shap abbey.

From Shap Abbey take the footpath west over the fields. These can be soggy! You will need to take a bearing. You will eventually meet up with the concrete road.

Head south on the road until you come to a junction and take the road west towards Tailbert.

The path goes through Tailbert and then again you will need to take a bearing to head south-west into the valley. Eventually you will reach the main road. Walk along this to Truss Gap Farm.

(Note: The postman often continued on to Swindale Head and down to Mosedale Cottage if there was post to be delivered there but we're going to leave that out for now!)

You now need to cross Swindale Beck and head up the fell to Glede Howe. This is a true 'postman's path' as it was a shortcut he used when he didn't need to go to Mosedale Cottage. He marked out the driest route over the fell with wooden staves - probably essential for navigating after a snow fall. But those guides no longer exist so once again it's time to get the map and compass out for a bearing.

This is tough romp over the fell but eventually you will be rewarded with views to the south as you drop down off the fells. You are heading for Sleddale Hall (made famous in the film Withnail and I).

Take the path east from Sleddale Hall and you will eventually drop down to Thorney Bank. Keep an eye out for the Victorian postbox which the postman used to empty on his route.

Join the road still heading east until you pick up the A6 and can turn left (north) to return to Shap.

• YOU can listen to an audio tour of this walk on the Countrystride Podcast