25/03/2007 Coach - Braithwaite & Keswick

 

March

8:30 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

Outerside: The Purist's Coledale Round with Dave Colbert
9miles (14.4km) with 4,130ft (1260m) Total Ascent.

Two steep-sided, parallel ridges extend westwards from the Newlands Valley to Lorton Vale; Crag Hill lying at the western end of the southern ridge and Grisedale Pike towards the eastern end of the northern. Joined at the broad col of Coledale Hause, they surround the glacial valley of Coledale Beck to the south-west of Braithwaite, the high level circuit of which is one of the Lake District's classic walks. Closer inspection of the map reveals that the ridge from Rowling End to the Sail Pass over Causey Pike and Scar Crags does not have a foot on Coledale, and that a lower but parallel ridge lies to the north, reaching its maximum altitude in the sharp summit of Outerside (1863ft / 568m). This is our route for today: Outerside and right round Coledale on airy ridges with extensive views as far as the Isle of Man and the Galloway Hills in Scotland if the weather is favourable.

The initial ascent of Outerside from Braithwaite is lengthy, interrupted by the hump of Stile End. We gain the traditional route at the Sail Pass, the puff up sail being followed by the arête of The Scar which leads to Crag Hill (2753ft / 839m). Then down to Coledale Hause and more puff up the inappropriately named Sand Hill to the sharp summit of Hopegill Head (2525ft / 839m), arguably the finest peak in the North Western Fells. The traverse to Grisedale Pike (2595ft / 791m) is undulating and precedes the exposed descent to Sleet How and Kinn as we head back to Braithwaite. Grasmoor has not been included but, given time, good weather and inclination, it could be (but adds 400ft or so of up and another mile).

Cat Bells with Tony Ingham
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent.

This walk will be familiar to most but none the worse for that because it is very varied, taking in two stiff climbs and woodland, open field, lakeside and beckside paths.

Today we start from Braithwaite and head south alongside Newlands Beck for 2 miles to Ghyll Bank. From here we turn north east to Hawes End to start the climbing: from 360 ft / 110m we rise to the top of Skelgill Bank at 1148ft / 350m. After levelling out for a while we then climb to the top of Cat Bells at 1476ft / 450m.

We descend from Cat Bells to Manesty at the southern tip of Derwentwater. Here we start heading through the woodlands of Manesty Park and Brandlehow Park alongside the lake. This takes us back to near Hawes End where we pick up the Allerdale Ramble route and walk past Lingholm and through Fawe Park to Portinscale. From here we will turn east into Keswick where we will be picked up  by the coaches.

Barrow with Dorothy Dobson
7½ miles (12km) with 1494ft (455m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Braithwaite we head towards Braithwaite Lodge and take the broad grassy path which stretches all the way to the top of Barrow. All the climbing is done at the beginning of the walk. We will take our time going up the hill, both to get our breath back and to enjoy the lovely views over Derwentwater and beyond.

We gradually descend via Barrow Door, on a stony track for the first 50 yards but on a good path for the rest of the way, to Stair in the Newlands Valley. From here we walk along a delightful path by a stream all the way back to Braithwaite.

Skelgill & Derwent Bay with Gwen Stevens
6miles (9.7km) with 400ft (122m) Total Ascent.

After visiting the toilets in Braithwaite we will commence the walk following the river southwards for approximately 1 mile. There is banking alongside the river where I propose taking an early lunch to enjoy the fellside views.

After a short way along the road we begin the only real climb of the day. A minor road rises steeply and zigzags to Skelgill Farm. The views as we climb get better and better so it is worth stopping to enjoy them. At the top of the climb we shall take a break which will last until 10 minutes after our last walker reaches the top. We can enjoy magnificent views of the fells and Lake Bassenthwaite to the north while we get our breath back.

We descend to join the Cumbria Way and follow it northwards to Nicholl End on Derwentwater. Here we can avail ourselves of the café with toilets. We shall stop here for about 40 minutes. Those not wishing to use the café acilities can enjoy views of the marina and lake. Maybe we shall see the Derwentwater launch making its way around the lake.

Leaving Nicholl End we pass Derwent Bank and continue to Portinscale where we will need to take our lives in our feet to cross the Keswick by-pass. We can use the old road and, flood water permitting, make our way back to Braithwaite using the underpass. If the underpass is flooded we have to get across that by-pass again. Sorry, there is no other way.

11/03/2007 Coach - Hayfield

 

March

8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return

A Walk – Lantern Pike & Kinder Low with Dave Colbert 
12½ Miles / 20km with 2,460ft / 750m Total Ascent

The iconic massif of Kinder Scout dominates the Dark Peak, now famed for all time by the mass trespass of 1932. Much has changed since or else we wouldn't be doing this walk at all without probably getting shot at or ending up in the nick with no get out of jail free card! Derbyshires highest point lies somewhere amidst a great expanse of plateau, riven with watercourses that form sticky peat groughs which have, in their time, swallowed many a Pennine Way hiker: we, however, will not be going there today. Instead, we will traverse the western edge of the plateau, including Kinder Low which, at 2077ft / 633m, is only a mere 11 feet lower. This walk will therefore be of no use to any peak-baggers out there. Kinder is best viewed from the west, hence, on our return to Hayfield, we will scale Lantern Pike (1224ft / 373m).

We start from Hayfield and follow the valley of the River Sett, climbing over the north east shoulder of Mount Famine before continuing, by way of Oaken Clough and Edale Cross, to Kinder Low. The Pennine Way takes us northwards along Kinder's western escarpment to Kinder Downfall before we descend, ever so gradually, to Mill Hill (not the one in Blackburn) and eventually the Glossop to Hayfield road near the Grouse Inn. (No drinking, so no whinging!) From here our route lies generally southwards, descending towards Blackshaw Farm before the easy climb to the summit of Lantern Pike. We then descend to Birch Vale and catch a virtual train to Hayfield. (i.e. You walk along an old railway line now known as the Sett Valley Cycleway).

B+ Walk – Chinley Churn & South Head with Tony Ingham
10 Miles / 16km with 1,950ft / 600m Total Ascent

My dad was brought up as a child in the 1920's at the Lamb Inn which lies between Hayfield and Chinley so he is very fond of this area and once showed me this walk. It is a good one and particularly pleasant if we have clear visibility.

In the morning we climb South Head (1621ft / 494m) and in the afternoon Chinley Churn (1480 / 451m). Starting from Hayfield Village we head south east round the side of Mount Famine and up to the top of South Head. We descend southwards via Beet Farm to Hull End where we turn north west, pass White Knowl Farm and continue down into Chinley. Once through the village we climb north east, past Cracken Edge, up to Chinley Chum. The descent from here takes us to Peep o Day where we head north west past Far Phoside and Phoside Farm and, on reaching Ridge Top, we drop back into Hayfield along a track leading to Meadows Road and the coach park.

B Walk – Hayfield Circular Spectacular with Ray Butler
8 Miles / 12.9km with 1,700ft / 518m Total Ascent

We walk to Little Hayfield and then on to White Brow where you can see the footpath to Kinder. From here we descend towards Kinder Reservoir and continue onwards with views of Mount Famine and Manchester. We reach the river bridge at Bowden Bridge and finally emerge on Kinder Road which takes us to the center of Hayfield.

C Walk – The Sett Valley Lantern with Roy Smith
5½ Miles / 8.9km with 550ft / 168m Total Ascent

Our walk today starts from Hayfield and is a pleasant and enjoyable walk, in part, along the Sett Valley Trail. From the coach park we make our way westwards along the Sett Valley Trail and woodland walk until we reach Thornsett. At Thornsett we turn north and cross the River Sett where we climb from the valley floor, in a steep but short climb, on a decent track to join a minor road which we follow for a short distance.

Still heading north, we cross into fields and continue our, now gradual, climb to Feeding Hey where we join a well used bridleway. This track takes us round the back of Lantern Pike affording us excellent views of the surrounding countryside. We now turn south and make our way past the other side of Lantern Pike, after which we drop down to the valley floor again where, re-crossing the River Sett, we emerge back on the Sett Valley Trail. We then retrace our steps to Hayfield.