Cumbria boasts almost 5,000 miles of rights of way: footpaths, bridleways and byways. Many of these are in the honey pots of the Lake District National Park and these tend to be well looked after and well used. Outside the LDNP, it is another story; some are clearly signposted others are not. Many are only used by those who live nearby. Geocaching is a great way to encourage people to use the lesser frequented routes and thus ensure they don’t “disappear”.
Red Road is one of these routes. I am told it was a drovers’ road, created to keep the movement of cattle away from the villages and settlements. The high walls either side certainly give credence to this view. I haven’t been able to find out why it is the “red” road. One (very logical) suggestion offered was that it was named from the red of the sandstone walls.
Today, Red Road seems to be very rarely used – only by farmers accessing their fields and the occasional local dog walker or horse rider?
tweezers useful
Please replace cache container carefully.