NY3955 : The Cumbria Way, Viaduct Estate
taken 2 years ago, near to Carlisle, Cumbria, England

This part of the Cumbria Way follows a former railway that allowed freight trains to bypass Carlisle Citadel Station. The line was electrified as a part of the West Coast Electrification but was closed and dismantled soon after, following a freight train derailment on Dentonholme South Viaduct on the 1st May 1984. The damage to the viaduct was substantial, but railway engineers who assessed the damage decided it was economically repairable and were getting ready to restore this useful line. However the Conservative Government under Margaret Thatcher issued an instruction that the line should be closed. This was in accordance with government policy at that time to reduce railway mileage. Freight operators have subsequently pushed for the line to be reinstated to avoid congestion and delays, but the decision to build a flood defence wall along much of the railway formation has made reopening unlikely due to the increased cost.
Devised by The Ramblers in the 1970s, The Cumbria Way is a long distance path from Ulverston to Carlisle passing through the heart of the English Lake District. An early example of a long distance path, it has become deservedly popular.
Usually quoted as being 70 miles in length, accurate measurement indicates the route is approximately 119km (74 miles) long, taking into account the various diversions since it was created.
The extremities of The Cumbria Way are conveniently placed for easy access by car or public transport and most walkers will be able to complete the route comfortably within a week. It is most frequently walked from south to north so the prevailing wind (and Cumbrian rain) is behind the walker. The Cumbria Way passes less than 2.5 kilometres from the wettest place in England so rain is often encountered.
The Caldew Cycleway is a 7.6km (4.7 mile) tarmacked mainly off road cycle route, starting from Carlisle Road in Dalston and following the River Caldew via Cummersdale Mills and Denton Holme to finish at the north end of the Viaduct Estate Road in Carlisle where it joins Castle Way.
The route forms part of National Cycle Network Routes 7 and 10, part of the cycleway is also the Caldew Riverside Trail in Carlisle, and much of the cycleway is followed by The Cumbria Way long distance footpath.
