14/12/2008 Coach - Ambleside & Grasmere

 

December

8:30 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

Fairfield with Allan Benson
9 miles (14.5km) with 3200ft (975m) Total Ascent.

Today we will complete approximately ¾ of the Fairfield Horseshoe, finishing at Grasmere.

Starting from Ambleside we follow the lane to Low Sweden Bridge and start to climb our first fell, Low Pike (1675ft / 510m). This is followed by High Pike and Dove Crag before we move on to Hart Crag (2698ft / 822m), passing the head of Deepdale – not PNE! We continue along the ridge to the summit of Fairfield (2863ft / 873m). Weather permitting we should see all the spectacular autumn/winter colours of the surrounding fells. From the summit we make our way to Grasmere via Great Rigg and Stone Arthur.

Helm Crag & Gibson Knott with Tony Ingham
7½miles (12.1km) with 2000ft (610m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Grasmere to the north west we first climb Helm Crag (1299ft / 396m). We then descend to Bracken Hause from where we ascend to a cairn at the top of Gibson Knott (1379ft / 420m). After, probably, lunching here we retrace our steps to Bracken Hause and then turn south west to drop steeply down into Far Easedale. We soon cross a footbridge and start climbing again up to Easedale Tarn. We walk round the tarn, turn south east and return to Grasmere via Sour Milk Gill.

Grasmere with Colin Hunt
9 miles (14.5km) with 1250ft (381m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Ambleside we follow the minor road to Pelter Bridge, then past Rydal Caves to Loughrigg Terrace and on to Grasmere Lake. We now go via the shore path to Grasmere. We cross the A591 and head for Alcock Tarn. We now descend taking the path to Rydal Church, then on through Rydal Park and back into Ambleside.

Winter at Rydal Water with Alison & Lesley
7miles (11.2km) with 279ft (85m) Total Ascent.

We begin our walk from the car park at Ambleside, taking an easy track north, we follow the River Rothay up to Pelter Bridge. Here we turn west, climbing a little along the base of Loughrigg Fell. On a good day we will have beautiful views of Rydal Water on our right.

Continuing on this path we will reach the caves, sadly they are now considered unsafe for visitors to enter because of falling rocks. On reaching Loughrigg Terrace we turn north again, cross the river via the bridge, and up through the trees to the A591 where there are toilets. Crossing the road we have a steady climb up towards Nab Scar. Where the two paths merge, we turn south east and walk slowly to Rydal Hall, then on to Rydal Park and finally back into lovely Ambleside and refreshments.

19/10/2008 Coach - Llangollen via Chirk

October

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

Eglwyseg with Dave Colbert

13 miles (21km) with 2725ft (830m) Total Ascent.

Bore da! The magnificent limestone ramparts of Creigiau Eglwyseg dwarf anything the Yorkshire Dales has to offer and are the focal point of this walk which, although quite lengthy, is easily graded. Starting in Llangollen, we cross the Afon Dyfrdwy before storming the hill fort of Castell Dinas Bran.

A short descent takes us to the Offa's Dyke path, which here does not follow the exact line of the dyke. We follow the path northward for some distance, passing beneath Creigiau Eglwyseg and Craig Arthur to reach the appropriately named World's End. Further climbing across the moorland sees us gain the summit of Cym-y-Brain (565m/1854ft) with, hopefully, clear views towards Mynyddoedd Eryri. We return to Llangollen by following the tow path of the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union canal.

Chirk Castle & Trevor Rocks with Val Walmsley
12 miles (19.3km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent

From Chirk Railway Station we cross the Llangollen Canal and proceed to the Offa's Dyke Path via Chirk Castle. Following the path via Froncysyllte we join the canal towpath to cross the Pont Cysyllte Aqueduct over the River Dee. Re-joining Offa's Dyke Path we move on to take the panorama walk to Trevor Rocks, leaving to pick up the Clwydian Way at Castell Dinas Bran and carry on to Valle Crucis Abbey. From here we re-join the canal towpath and make our way to the Steam Railway Museum in Llangollen, crossing the River Dee for the second time.

Castell Dinas Bran with Barry Mather
7½ miles (12km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent.

Leaving Llangollen we head north across the Shropshire Union Canal, then a fairly steep but mercifully short zig-zag path (climbing about 700ft/213m) takes us to the medieval castle of Castell Dinas Bran (circa 1260). From here we have magnificent views of the surrounding area. We then descend and follow the Offa's Dike Path and, after following the River Eglwyseg to the Cistercian Valle Crucis Abbey, we return to Llangollen via the Shropshire Union Canal.

To the End of the World! with Derek Lowe
6½ miles (10.5km) with 485ft (148m) Total Ascent.

We commence our walk heading for the Shopshire Union Canal. We leave the canal at the Motor Museum and begin a gentle climb to overlook the remains of the Valle Crucis Abbey (it will be optional to go down to look at the remains). We continue our gentle climb through the woods to Tan-y-Fron. It is a narrow road until we reach Ty-Newydd where a short road walk brings us to the field paths which we follow to Offa's Dyke Path and World's End Panorama. We will have lunch around this area where there are good views of the remains of Castell Dinas Bran on the hilltop in front of us.

After lunch we continue to Tan-y-Castell and take a path to reach the foot of the hill, follow the path round the base of the hill and, after a short climb, descend into Llangollen where you will be able to browse.

21/09/2008 Coach - Coniston via Ambleside

September

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

Ambleside to Coniston with Allan Benson

12 miles (19.3km) with 2700ft (823m) Total Ascent.

Today’s walk is different; not a high fell walk but three 1000ft / 300m fells – just as energetic – Loughrigg 1101ft / 336m, Black Fell 1056ft / 322m and, finally, Holme Fell 1040ft / 317m. These three are full of interest, including many tarns, rock formations, excellent trees and vegetation. There are splendid views from all three summits – weather permitting!

We begin our walk from Ambleside and proceed to climb Loughrigg. From the summit we descend to Skelwith Bridge and make our way to cross Black Fell. From here we continue to Holme Fell via High Oxen Fell. From this final summit we make our way to Coniston walking part of the Cumbria Way Path. Hopefully, we will have time for a well deserved drink and an ice cream.

Coniston Old Man  with Peter Stevens
7½ (12km) with 2450ft (744m) Total Ascent.

Today’s walk is one of the classics, we basically climb for the first third of the walk ( up The Old Man) and then slowly descend for the rest, enjoying wonderful views over Morecambe Bay, if the weather is in our favour.

From Coniston we ascend Coniston Old Man using the direct tourist route, which takes us through Copper Mines Valley, passing the Pudding Stone and through Bolder Valley to the summit. From here we head north along Brim Fell and Swirl Band to Swirl How, before turning east to follow the Prison Band to Swirl Hawse. From here we head back towards Coniston descending to Levers Water via Sam Bottom and then back into Copper Mines Valley before making our way back to the coaches

Holme Fell with Eric Jackson
8 miles (12.9km) with 1250ft (381m) Total Ascent.

Starting from Skelwith Bridge we have a nice gentle stroll along the Cumbria Way via Park Farm and Colwith Force waterfall. Just before Stang End we head south to Hodge Close and the old quarry workings; this is an area of spoil heaps and big holes but it is still very beautiful. As Wainwright states, “It is one of the best square miles in Lakeland”.

After passing the quarries we leave the track to head on up to Holme Fell and, because this is not near any higher fells, the views are (hopefully) quite extensive. Leaving the top, we retrace our route a short distance to rejoin the track across the fell and make our way down to the main road by Yew Tree Tarn. From the road it is only a short climb to Tarn Hows from where we head back through woods and farmland to Coniston in time for a well earned brew.

Cumbria Way with Bill Manning
5½ miles (8.9km) with 2000ft (61m) Total Ascent.

Today’s walk is relatively flat. Starting from the coach park in Coniston we take a short walk out of the village to join the Cumbria Way heading for Bowmanstead. From here we proceed to Coniston Hall, a fine 15th century manor house with a circular chimney stack.

Continuing after a short stop, we head for the shore of Coniston Water. As we follow this path for a short distance areas of clinker can be seen by the lake shore, indications that small scale smelting once took place. Reaching Torver Common Wood we  make our way to Brockenbarrow Farm, on to Hoathwaite Farm and then to the A593. We follow the path close to the road back to Bowmanstead where we retrace our steps back to Coniston and a nice cup of tea.

06/04/2008 Coach - Keswick via Thirlmere

April

8:00 start with 17:30 return

Helvellyn and The Dodds with Dave Thornton

11½ miles (18.5km) with 3,700ft (1128m) Total Ascent.

Starting at the northern end of Highpark Wood we ascend Helvellyn along its gill and climb steeply to Lower Man and on to the summit (3117ft / 950m). Our route is now along a ridge heading in a northerly direction to Whiteside, Raise (2897ft / 883m), Stybarrow Dodd (2766ft / 843m), Watson’s Dodd (2589ft / 789m), Great Dodd (2812ft / 857m) and Clough Head (2382ft / 726m). We now descend over White Pike to the old coach road which we follow westwards to the B road at Wanthwaite Bridge. From here we follow the road into Threlkeld to await the arrival of the coaches.

Cat Bells & Derwent Water with Peter Stevens
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1520ft (463m) Ascent.

Today's walk is basically a full circle of Derwent Water taking in Cat Bells on the way round.

We start in Keswick and head north-east through Portinscale following the Cumbria Way to the base of Cat Bells (Hawes End). From here we make our only main ascent of the day, first up Skelgill Bank and then onto the summit of Cat Bells (451m/1480ft), the view if fine is truly spectacular. Its all downhill from here, descending to the valley floor (Borrowdale) to meet the Allerdale Ramble & Cumbria Way on our way around the back of Derwent Water to the Ladore Hotel and toilets (the lake launch can be boarded here back to Keswick, if the fancy takes you). Leaving the hotel we follow the lake all the way back to Keswick and the awaiting coaches.

Latrigg with Tony Ingham
9miles (14.5km) with 1150ft (350m) Ascent.

We leave Keswick in a north easterly direction before turning south east to climb Latrigg (1200ft / 366m). We descend to Derwentfolds and walk eastwards along the foot of Blease Fell to the Blencathra Centre and Threlkeld. From here we go south over Mill Bridge to join the Keswick Railway footpath. The rest of the walk takes us along the disused railway track all the way back into Keswick.

Castlerigg & Derwent Water with Roy Smith
6½ miles (10.5km) with 450ft (173m) Ascent.

Our walk today starts from Keswick from where we make our way through Springs Wood, gradually climbing past Castlerigg farm and open farmland until we meet the A591. From the A591 we walk along Castle Lane to the Castlerigg Stone Circle. After visiting the heritage site we travel south along field tracks to arrive at, and cross again, the A591. From here we have to retrace our steps for a few hundred yards until we are able to follow the public footpath into Great Wood below Walla Crag. The track through the wood leads us to the side of Derwent Water where we pick up the lakeside path which takes us back to Keswick.