SD1354182695 Begin by heading north on the small path between the church and Whicham Old School. This path leads to a narrow road, with tall hedges on either side. Turn left on this road, which soon gives way to a gravelly green lane heading gently uphill.

SD1307182851 Once out in the open, at the end of the short green lane, turn right to meander uphill on a big, obvious path surrounded by bracken, into the Moor Gill valley. The expansive sands of the Duddon Estuary can be seen to the south, and after rising above Seaness on the left, the vista to the west is of the Irish Sea. Upon reaching the false summit of Townend Knotts, the real and much darker summit of Black Combe appears ahead. Grass and bracken surrounds the path from here to the top.

SD1354785476 A round stone shelter and trig point mark the summit of Black Combe. In the first decade of the 19th century, this was one of five stations in Cumberland used by the Ordnance Survey to measure the Principal Triangles for the initial survey of Great Britain. The high fells of the Lake District, including the Scafell and Coniston groups, can be seen far away to the north, emphasising the isolated nature of this outlying Lakeland fell. It is easy to go wrong here, as there is an obvious path heading north-east towards White Combe, but head north to join the broad grassy path for a leisurely stroll downhill to Charley Fold. The path curves off to the west, then has one final northward flourish before looping back to lead down past Butcher's Breast to a stream crossing.

SD1175087063 A handful of trees give the first natural shelter for a while. Shortly after crossing Hallfoss Beck, the path levels out and the way on is an obvious trail south, with bracken-covered slopes to the left and fields leading across to the Irish Sea to the right. Just south of the uninhabited Fell Cottage, there is a section that will be boggy whatever the weather - a good place to look for sundews and dragonflies.

SD1180784560 After passing the houses and waterwheel at Whitbeck, take a sharp left uphill, then at the corner of the wall turn right, uphill, to join a path that traverses across the hillside. Now follow the obvious path south, which soon meets a drystone wall. After crossing Townend Gill, things can be slightly confusing, but head uphill to follow a small path beside a fence above the gorse. Cross a big track heading diagonally uphill and continue on the small path heading down through bracken. With a sigh of relief, join the footpath at a pit and follow this path just above the road. The path passes through a small bluebell wood. There are a few options on this path back, but keep it sensible and you'll end up in the right place.