Grizedale: mile after mile of peaceful forest tracks, only the sound of rutting badgers and courting woodpigeons to disturb a walker’s quiet cogitation.

Not next month! Stay clear of the Lakeland forest unless you prefer the growl of a turbocharged Subaru to that of a cornered fox. The rally boys and girls are hitting the tracks around Coniston and many of the paths will be closed.

The Grizedale Stages rally takes place on Saturday, 9 December, when drivers of the high-powered rally cars will be haring through the woods and walkers will be banned from the area. Lake District National Park Authority’s rights-of-way advisor Charlotte Emmens apologised for any inconvenience. She said: "We really have no option but to put public safety first.

"It would present a serious risk if people were to carry on using the rights of way when the rally is in progress.

“There are many other good paths and tracks in the area. Our rangers and voluntary wardens and Grizedale Visitor Centre staff will be able to help those who want to avoid the rally.”

All footpaths, bridleways and trails between Coniston Water and the Hawkshead-Satterthwaite Road and two others at Broughton Moor will be closed during the event. Most of the Forestry Commission’s permitted paths around the rally route will also be closing.

Closed paths and tracks will be clearly marked with notices. They will re-open as soon as possible after the event. The Forestry Commission is also closing the North Face mountain bike trail.

For anyone wanting to watch the rally, spectator car parks will be signposted from the Hawkshead direction. National park authorities say visitors should avoid using roads in the Nibthwaite area on the day.
Petrolheads among grough’s readers can keep up-to-date via the Grizedale Stages rally website.