Lakes and Dales Horseback Rambler

As with many areas in Cumbria many people will have driven past Chapel House Plantation not realising this area is a little bit of a gem. Routes from here can be a short 4 miles loop up to Simpson Ground Reservoir or you can do a longer route up to 11 miles over Cartmel Fell with a pub stop at Strawberry Bank.   Starting from the parking area enter Chapel House Plantation through the main entrance track past the Forestry England signs. Here take the path past the vehicle barrier, which is a little narrow and then proceed up the hill on the track. The further you go up the hill you will start getting fantastic views of Windermere and distance fells. I like to then take the rocky bridleway up to Simpson Ground Reservoir, but if you would like a smoother route keep of the forest track and you can loop back up to the reservoir. Once at the reservoir this is good place for a picnic and also the point where you need to decide which way to go. You can either do a short loop around anoth...