In order to get quickly out of town, this route follows the least attractive section of any of these walks: past the dustbin lorry depot, a scrap yard and through a graffiti covered underpass! But once you pass beneath the bypass it's countryside all the way.

We then go across farmland to the delightful village of Carleton-in-Craven (who needs the Cotswolds?) then gradually uphill alongside Catlow Gill - also referred to as Carleton Glen. Twice you descend to the beck and make a stony crossing. There are excellent views back over your shoulder.

At the top there's a short section of road walking on quiet lanes on the edge of Carleton Moor, then on paths to the moorland of Ramshaw.

The descent back to Carleton is down the steep grassy slope at the end of Ramshaw. Great views over town, but watch your footing!

Finally it's back to town the way you left.

We leave town initially on the towpath of the Liverpool direction of the canal.

Assuming you are starting from the Freddie Trueman statue by the canal junction, cross the bridge, walk along Coach Street, over Belmont Bridge, then onto the towpath on the far side. Pass the first swing bridge with the traffic lights then the second bridge which leads into Aireville Park. Pass the bowls club, then take the slope down to Sawley Street. At the bottom, cross the main Broughton Road, go right a few yards, then turn left down the narrow Ings Lane. Pass beneath the railway tracks and you're in the industrial estate.

Notice the excellent 'Turntable Cafe'. A good place to grab a bacon butty to fuel your walk.

Carry on straight ahead past the industrial units until you pass over a gate/stile and the tarmac road becomes a farm track. Go through the underpass beneath the bypass and you're finally in countryside!

Now follow the path as it curves around to the right following the edge of the field. Pass over a further gate/stile and soon you arrive at this stile which takes you into the next field. (There are often cattle here, but you can normally skirt around them.) Head left towards the footbridge across the Aire.

Over the bridge, enter the right-hand field and follow the path that runs parallel to the wall and leads you into Carleton.

At the far end, cross the gate and stile and pass the cottages into the village. Follow the road until you reach the junction with 'Beck Side' and go right alongside the pretty beck. When you reach the main road, go right.

After a hundred yards or so, turn off left up 'The Wend'. Follow it around to the right then go left over the stone bridge over Catlow Beck. Follow the farm track as it passes a bungalow then between some old farm buildings. We will now follow this path all the way to the top.

The path is easy to follow. Pass through a series of gates as the path follows the path of the gill, and curves upwards and to the left.

After a while the farm track becomes a narrow footpath and edges the trees of the gill. Eventually you will see a marker post and the footpath dives down a dirt slope to the first beck crossing. Take care, this can be slippery if wet.

At the bottom you will see a fence/stile which you climb over in order to negotiate the rocky crossing over the tiny beck. (I reckon this could be awkward if you have short legs.) Then there's another steep slope the other side which doubles back a little as you climb out of the gill and back onto farm land. Continue following the footpath upwards across the fields.

Be sure to look behind you periodically to check out the views.

Pass though a hole in a wall then onwards and upwards until eventually you come alongside another wooded arm of the gill.

Soon the foot path dives down again to another beck crossing. (The OS map describes this as 'stepping stones' - It's not, its just a stony fording of a small stream.) A steep dirt path zig-zags down to the beck. Again, slippery if wet.

Cross the stream by which ever route looks easiest, then at the far end there's a stile up and out. Again, there's a short but steep climb out, then we're back on the path up hill.

Cross a field and go through a wall where it has collapsed. Good views behind. Cross the next field and through the farm gate onto the bridleway at Gawthorpe House.

Go left, then keep left as the bridleway goes downhill, through a gate and into a muddy field. Head for the far left corner of the field then follow the path as it narrows and follows the fence line upwards.

At the top there is a gate which takes you on to a tarmac lane. This is a great place to take your pack off, put your pole down, lean against the gate, have a snack and enjoy the view.

Now there is a short section on quiet lanes.

From the gate, go uphill, then left at the T-junction at the top. Follow the road ignoring a turn to the right. Good views here.

In a while the road bends to the right then we see a farm track off to the left. It is signed to 'The Healthy Home Retreat'. Follow this until you are almost at the farm buildings, then watch out for a very faint path off to the left through the grass of the moor.

Near the corner is a stone stile which leads you onto Ramshaw.

Follow the path as it runs parallel to the wall, until you arrive at another stone stile. Cross this and you are now in a new field with the wall to your left.

Here there is bad news then good news:

The bad news is there is now a boggy section. It's OK in dry weather, but probably not good after rain.

The good news is that you then arrive at a bench! Another obvious place for a rest and a drink.

After the bench pass through the farm gate and continue following the path which is now to the left of the wall.

Now we arrive at the top of the steep descent down the northern end of Ramshaw. (Arguably the views on this walk would be better if you did it clockwise instead of anti-clockwise but it's the thought of this climb that puts me off!)

Carefully go down the long, steep grass slope as it goes between the trees and down the hill.

At the bottom, cross another stone stile, then down past a farm gate into a small field. Ignore the wider path off to the left and follow an overgrown path parallel to the wall and down toward the houses.

Pass through a gate then keep to the right until you arrive a 'squeeze' stile into a fenced path around the entrance to the big house. (At this point I regretted wearing shorts, as this narrow path had loads of nettles.)

Walk down the tarmac drive until you see this stile in the wall to the left. Climb the stile then go diagonally across the field, through an open gate in the far corner, then across the next field until you see this wooden stile. Over the stile, down the steps, then left on the lane into Carleton.

(On the day I took these photos, diggers were doing groundwork here, presumably in preparation for a new development. Fingers crossed that they maintain this right-of-way.)

Follow the lanes until you enter the village, where you will see a path to the right between these two stones. Follow it towards the church. Then turn right to follow a path out of the village. Pass through a gate, cross the field, then over a stone stile in the next wall. Cross this field and you will find yourself back at the footbridge over the Aire that we crossed earlier in the day.

I am confident that you can find your way home from here.