April
8:00 start with 17:30 return
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.
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.
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.
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.