Terrain: Mostly flat tarmacced roads. The Old Corpse Road bridleway is very steep and rocky with drops. The middle section is often boggy even in summer. You will need a confident and foot sure horse to attempt this route.
Livestock: Sheep and long horned cattle at Naddle Farm
The Old Corpse road is an old coffin route, used to transport bodies from the villages in Swindale to the church at Mardale. It was frequented by fell ponies daily who also used it for transporting butter and other goods to trade. Nowadays, most horses (and riders!) would quake in fear when looking at the path and mutter about injuries. But in reality, this route can be attempted by most horses, as long as their riders are calm, confident and used to dealing with rocky terrain. The views are well worth it!
Route Description
1. Take the permissive bridleway north from the parking area (which looks like a single track road) and follow this to Naddle Farm. Pick up the road to Haweswater reservoir and ride along the length of the reservoir, keeping the water on your left. This road seems to go on forever but the good stuff is coming! There is parking at Mardale Head, at the end of the reservoir, but this is often full and turning and passing places are tricky.
2. Ride past the tower and look out for a small island in the reservoir. As the island comes near, take the bridleway gate on your left, just before a big reentrant. Ride up the very steep and rocky path, following the switchbacks. Keep left, avoiding the drop on the right. At some points the route clambers over slabs of rock. Take your time and give your horses their head. A breastplate and crupper might be useful for this ride!
3. Once at the top, follow the track across the moors. The ground flattens out into a grassy plain with few signs of life – spooky. This route is rarely walked, let alone ridden, and you will mostly likely have the moors to yourself. Navigate carefully around the bogs and stick to the high ground if possible. Some of the bogs are unavoidable but not that deep if you ride through them quickly. Follow the path slightly downhill until you reach a narrow river with mini waterfalls. Cross over this river – this is tricky for some due to the banks and you may prefer to lead. Horses who are confident with water will easily step across.
4. Continue on the other side, working your way downhill, keeping to the stone wall on your left. The track here is steep and stoney but not as difficult as the track at the Haweswater end. Cross back over the river at a much flatter point and then on through the gate into a meadow and Swindale valley.
5. Ride down through the meadow to the houses and through the gate onto a single track road. Turn left and follow this single track road all the way back to your parking.
Parking
There is free parking on Rosgill Moor with direct access onto the bridleway. This is a quiet corner of the Lake District and usually doesn’t attract too many visitors but best to get there early just incase. There is also Rawfoot Farm Ride just up the road in Shap who may be happy to accommodate you.
