Friends Way 1

Friends Way 1 – 62/81 miles – 5-7 days – Barley to Sedbergh

This route is a celebration of George Fox’s 1652 walk and its role in founding Quakerism. It has great diversity of scenery, superb wildlife and visible geology. Although it passes many churches, be aware that George Fox preferred to preach in the open air wherever possible, and was dismissive of conventional churches which he called ‘steeplehouses’.

From Barley, the route climbs Pendle Hill, where Fox had his great vision of preaching to a multitude, and heads north past Malham Cove and Malham Tarn. It takes in fine parts of the Yorkshire Dales (partly on the Dales Way) to reach Sedbergh after 62 miles. This charming book town is rich in Quaker heritage, and the route then follows its 9.5-mile Quaker Trail – a circuit which visits Fox’s Pulpit, the rocky crag where Fox preached passionately for three hours on 13 June 1652. It also passes Brigflatts Meetinghouse (1675).

The other local walk takes in the Cross Keys Inn where Dorothy Benson still lies buried, and Quaker couple Alan and Chris Clowes welcome Friends and visitors to food and lodging. The overall distance including the two Sedbergh walks is 81 miles. The Friends Way 1 is to be launched in Sedbergh on 21 May 2022 and it will have a sequel, Friends Way 2, which goes west from Sedbergh to end at Swarthmoor Hall near Ulverston to be launched in 2023. It celebrates the life and work of Margaret Fell who is famous as the mother of Quakerism.

Highlights

– follows the true, well-documented story of the birth of Quakerism

– starts from Fox’s vision and ends near his Sermon on the Fell

– features superb geology, wildlife and scenery

– combines churches and meetinghouses with key outdoor locations

Low-cost hostels along route – Kettlewell YHA, Carnforth Bunkbarn and across region.

GPX file credit: Rucksack Readers 2022. NB The GPX file in download button is offered on these terms:
1. You understand that it is offered for your personal use only, and you use it at your own risk.
2. It corresponds with the route as documented in the 2022 Rucksack Readers guidebook.

Info on the official guidebook from Rucksack Readers

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