13/12/2009 Coach Ambleside & Grasmere

 

December

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

Fairfield with Graham Hogg
9 miles (14.5km) with 3200ft (975m) Total Ascent.

We start today's walk in Ambleside at the junction of the Kirkstone Road and the A591. After making our way to Low Sweden Bridge we begin the gradual climb to Low Pike. The ridge continues to rise as we proceed to High Pike and then Dove Crag (2598ft/792m). From here we have a short descent before climbing again to Hart Crag (2697ft/822m)and then on to our highest point of the day - Fairfield at (2864ft/873m) From the summit, we head south-west to Great Rigg and then descend to Grasmere village via Heron Pike and Alcock Tarn.

Eagle Crag with Dave Thornton
8 miles (13km) with 1800ft (550m) Ascent.

Starting from Grasmere village we take the Easedale road and follow Sourmilk Gill up to Easedale Tarn. We climb steeply up to Codale Tarn and continue climbing to the path from Langdale to Chapel Stile. The views are superb from here on a good day. We continue past Eagle Crag, Blea Rigg, Great Castle How descending to Swinescar Hause to Wray Gill and its waterfalls. This comes as an unexpectedly beautiful gorge which we follow down towards Grasmere.

Windermere to Ambleside with Colin Hunt
8 miles (12.9km) with 1150ft (351m) Ascent.

Leaving the coach at Windermere station we climb 400ft/122m to the summit of Orrest Head. We now descend to Moorhowe Road and then take Dubb Road past Dubbs Reservoir. When we meet the Garburn Road we go south west to Troutbeck. Here we go via Robin Lane and Skelghyll Wood to Ambleside or, should the weather be near perfect, we could go over Wansfell Pike. This second route is a little shorter but has more climbing and will only be taken if everything is favourable.

Two Waters with Stephen Watson
5½ (8.9km) with 450ft (140m) Ascent.

Today's walk is a circumnavigation of the picturesque waters of Grasmere and Rydal. I shall be relating a bit of the local history of the area as we go and explaining the use of the famous patented Ambleside Underwater Lawn Mowers and the savage Herdwick breed of sheep!

Heading out of Grasmere in a south east direction we pass Dove Cottage (the home of Wordsworth during his most creative period) and follow a well defined path beneath Nab Scar as we head for the tiny hamlet of Rydal. Over the main road we cross the River Rothay by way of Pelter Bridge (great for poo sticks!) and head for the south shore of Rydal Water. Leaving Rydal behind and picking up a little height we cross Loughrigg Terrace where fine views of Grasmere Water can be had. If weather conditions are poor we will take a lower path.

We stay close to the waters edge for some distance before leaving the wet stuff behind as we pick up a minor road to take us back to Grasmere in time for a brew and a bit of sight seeing before the coach ride and a snooze on the way home.

20/09/2009 Coach - Keswick & Braithwaite

September

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

Dodd and Skiddaw with Dave Colbert

10.5 miles (17km) with 3,900ft (1,190m) Total Ascent.

Our past A walks in this area have usually accessed the Caldbeck Fells via Roughton Gill. Whilst this is an impressive route I thought that, today, we would try an alternative approach.

Skiddaw dominates the Vale of Keswick, rising steeply from low-lying valleys on all sides to a cluster of barren, subsidiary tops buttressing the main summit ridge. Our route today includes Dodd (1,647ft/502m) which for many years was infested with non-native conifers. Many of these have now been removed so we should have an excellent view across Derwent Water from the top.

The continuation to Skiddaw (3,054ft/931m) via Carl Side is steep and rough, particularly the climb from Carl Side Tarn to Skiddaw's lengthy summit ridge. Our descent to Keswick takes us over Skiddaw Little Man and Latrigg.

Catt Bells with Peter Stevens
9½ miles (15.3km) with 1400ft (427m) Total Ascent.

Cat Bells has been walked by the walking club a number of times in the past few years but not in the height of summer (if you can call it that). The views from here are some of the best in the lake district and well worth another visit.

Starting from Braithwaite (toilets available) we follow Newlands Beck south to Ghyll Bank, then passing Skelgill on to Hawes End from where we start the main climbing of the day. From here we ascend Skelgill Bank (1148ft / 350m), where we level out for a while before ascending Cat Bells at (1476ft / 450m). From here we can see the length of Derwent Water to Keswick and beyond, with Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw in the background. We descend from Cat Bells down Hause Gate to Manesty Park at the southern end of Derwent Water. Turning North, we join the Allerdale Ramble track (Cumbria Way) which follows Derwent Water back to Hawes End, through Fawe Park to Portinscale. From here we will turn east into Keswick where we will be picked up by the coaches.

Grange with Tony Ingham
10 miles (16.1km) with 600ft (183m) Ascent.

We leave Braithwaite (toilets) and head south along Newlands Beck to Swinside. We continue on to Hause End and from here climb gently along the foot of Skelgill Bank, Cat Bells and Maiden Moor until we reach the village of Grange (toilets). Here we start the return leg and walk northwards on the Cumbria Way alongside Derwent water to Portinscale where we turn eastwards into Keswick for refreshments and the coaches.

Braithwaite (Stair & Newlands) Circular with Derek Lowe
7½ miles (12km) with 500ft (153m) Ascent.

Today there are several stiles and gates, but all in good condition.

Leaving the coaches at Braithwaite we make our way through the campsite to Braithwaite Lodge. We then follow Newlands Beck until we reach Stair. From Stair we cross over to Skelgill where we shall have lunch at the foot of Cat Bells.

After lunch we follow the Cumbria Way through Overside Wood to Portinscale. Here we cross the bridge and follow field paths back to Keswick where we shall have ample time to browse around the shops, or whatever, before getting the coaches back home.

05/04/2009 Coach - Pateley Bridge

April

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

Upper Nidderdale with Allan Benson
13 or 14 miles (21 or 22.5km) with less than 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent.

Today's walk is relatively flat for an "A" walk. Having previously walked around Brimham Rocks and the Yorke's Folly area today we will be walking 13 or 14 miles, mostly on the Nidderdale Way.

We start from Pateley Bridge and pick up the Nidderdale Way to follow Ashfold Side Beck through the now disused Merryfield Mines. We continue along the Nidderdale Way to Ramsgill at the northern end of the Gouthwaite Reservoir. There we cross over to the eastern side of the reservoir to Bouthwaite and make our way back to Pateley Bridge via the now disused railway line and Silverhill, hopefully in time for a nice cup of tea or something.

Greenhow Lead Mines with Colin Hunt
9¼ miles (14.9km) with 1150ft (351m) Ascent.

This is a varied walk with some walking on tracks and minor roads, some through old lead mine workings and a finish by the river Nidd.

Leaving Pateley Bridge we go along a bridleway past Eagle Hall to join the Nidderdale Way. From here we go past Coldstonefield Farm and out onto the B6265 at Greenhow. From the Miners' Arms we head to Brandstone Beck and the lead workings. Now we continue on to rejoin the Nidderdale Way. After more lead mining spoil we follow Ashfold Side Beck before turning to Heathfield, Spring Hill and Watch Bridge with a final stretch along the river back to Pateley Bridge.

Brimham Rocks with Dorothy Shackleton
8½ miles (13.7km) with 985ft (300m) Ascent.

We begin our walk today at the car park in Pateley Bridge. From here, crossing the bridge, we go uphill on the main street to take the Panorama Walk which is fairly steep at the beginning. We are now on the Nidderdale Way which we follow for much of the way to Brimham Rocks going through Blazefield, a very small hamlet.

After passing White Houses we leave the Nidderdale Way to walk near High North Pasture Farm. We follow a good track to the National Trust Boundary Notice and turn right to begin our walk through the weirdly shaped rocks which have been eroded by glaciation and weathering. We go downhill, on a path by the Visitor Centre, passing more rocks which have been given names such as "Frog" and "Sphinx". From Brimham Rocks we walk down to the River Nidd, cross to the other side at Harewell Hall, and follow a concrete path to enjoy the views back across the valley to where we were walking earlier in the day. Then field paths take us to Bayliss Gap (farm) and a lane where we rejoin the Nidderdale Way for the last stretch to Pateley Bridge.

The Nidderdale Way with Roy Smith
6 miles (9.7km) with 400ft (122m) Ascent.

Our walk today starts from Pateley Bridge. Leaving the coach park we make our way uphill through the town to the Panorama Walk where we are able to visit the old church ruins, now under restoration by English Heritage.

We join the Nidderdale Way to take in the panoramic views of the town and surrounding area. From the viewpoint we continue following the Nidderdale Way, past Blazefield and White Houses, to enter and pass through Low Wood alongside Fell Beck. We emerge from the wood and leave the Nidderdale Way at Smelthouses where we drop down to the River Nidd. We are now able to follow the river through the village of Glasshouses back to Pateley Bridge and some well earned refreshment.