January
8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return
11 miles (18km) with 2,350ft (720m) Total Ascent.
When did an 'A' Walk last start in Hawkshead I hear you cry! Never, as far as I can recall, so, as Monty Python would put it: "And now for something completely different". This will definitely not give you altitude sickness, but it is an interesting walk through a varied landscape of trees, water and fell, offering magnificent views of the Coniston and Langdale fells in particular. The rugged height of Holme Fell lies to the east of Wetherlam, its steep flanks giving quite an airy feel to a hill which only just breaks through the l000ft / 305m contour. Black Fell, on the other hand, is more open, lying to the north of Tarn Hows; on a clear day the views from its summit are well worth the extra climb.
Starting from Hawkshead we climb to Hawkshead Hill and head across to Rose Castle for the classic view over Tarn Hows. (Weather permitting) Passing to the south of the lake we then descend to the Ambleside - Coniston road and ascend Holme Fell (1040ft / 317m) by way of Harry Guards Wood and Uskdale Gap. A steep descent takes us down to Hodge Close and its famous hole in the ground from where we head for Black Fell (1060ft / 323m), crossing the Ambleside - Coniston road at Oxen Fell High Cross. The final ascent is an out-and-back affair of around 11½ miles in total but is worth it for the views from the summit. We return to Hawkshead through Knipe Fold and Hawkshead Hall.
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent.
We leave Hawkshead across farmland travelling in a north easterly direction until we reach Low Wray. At this point we turn south and follow the Windermere shoreline to Belle Grange where we start the day's climbing, initially rising to 656ft /200m on The Heald.
Heading south along The Heald we pass the Crier of Claife to reach Low Blind How where we turn north west to High Blind How (886ft / 270m) and continue in this direction for a few miles to the National Trust Base Camp near High Wray. From here we climb the north face (!!!!) of Latterbarrow (800ft / 244m), descend westwards to Loanthwaite, then to Colthouse and back to Hawkshead.
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent.
Leaving Hawkshead we make for Loanthwaite Lane and the foot of Latterbarrow. We go round the eastern side of Latterbarrow and make for Belle Grange on the shore of Windermere. Here we turn right and go down the lake for about 11¼ miles before heading for Far Sawrey. Leaving Far Sawrey we go to Moss Eccles Tam, Wise Een Tarn and Highs Moss. Here we make for Guide Post 10 and then head west to Hawkshead.
5½ miles (8.9km) with 286ft (78m) Total Ascent.
Hope you all had a happy Christmas and that you enjoy the first walk of the New Year. We begin our walk from Hawkshead car park (toilets available). Taking a north east route over the fields we cross Black Beck on our way towards Loanthwaite Lane. At the lane we take the left hand path to Outgate. Continuing north we begin a pleasing stretch of path, passing Spika Coppice on our left and Blelham Tarn on our right, until we reach the road. There is then a short road walk passing the Dower House and the Vicarage, after which we join a path heading South West toward Hole House and Tock How. On a fine day the view of the distant mountains is pleasing. Crossing the fields back to Loanthwaite Lane we rejoin our original path back into Hawkshead for refreshments.