09/12/2012 Coach - Grasmere

 

December

8:00 Start with 16:30 (4:30pm) Return

Walk the Walk with Kevin Poole
10 miles (16.1km) with 3350ft (1021.1m) Total Ascent.

Today's walk the "Fairfield Horseshoe" is one of my favourites - a hard but rewarding walk with 6 Wainwrights.

Starting from Ambleside we head towards Sweden Bridge and gradually climb towards Fairfield via Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag. After pausing on Fairfield to take in the glorious views we carry on walking to Grasmere via Great Rigg and the magical Stone Arthur. Pictures of my recent recce for this walk can be seen in "Members Links".

The Lion and the Lamb with Allan Benson
8¼ miles (13.3km) with 2000ft (610m) Ascent.

Today, hopefully, we will climb three of Albert Wainwright's fells. (3 Wainwrights to tick off, that is if you are bagging Albert's fells). No 1: Helm Crag 1,299ft/396m. No 2: Gibson Knott 1,379ft/420m. No 3: Calf Crag 1,762ft/537m.

We start our walk today from Grasmere and climb our first fell, Helm Crag, (known as the Lion and the Lamb as well as the Howitzer). You have to use your imagination here! From the summit we continue along the ridge for 2½ miles climbing the other two summits, Gibson Knott and Calf Crag. From the summit of Calf Crag we make our descent via the Far Easedale path and back to Grasmere, hopefully in time for a brew.

Grasmere Gad About with Margaret Oliver
8½ miles (13.7km) with 1200ft (366m) Ascent.

From Grasmere village car park we head towards the main centre passing the church on the right. We take the road on the left and follow round until we reach the footpath which climbs up then goes off to the left into Redbank Woods. We come out onto the road, turn left and drop down steeply to take the lower footpath on the right beside Grasmere.

We follow this path round the edge of Rydal Water climbing slightly up to a gate and a path through woods to a metalled road which leads down to Pelter Bridge and the main road. We turn left then cross over the road, following the signpost to Rydal Hall and Rydal Mount. Just past Rydal Hall we climb steeply to follow the Coffin Trail past Dove Cottage and down to Grasmere and the coaches.

Ambleside to Grasmere with Joyce Bradbury
6 miles (9.7km) with 353ft (108m) Ascent.

A tried and well trodden route. Setting off from Waterhead we make our way to Hayes Garden Centre. Plenty of time for a browse and a coffee! Leaving the Garden Centre we pass through Ambleside via the churchyard and then along the River Rothay to Pelter Bridge on a limited access road. Here we turn left and climb gently until we reach Rydal Water.

We will take the upper permissive path past Rydal Caves, the only real climb of the day. There may still be a detour around some path works in which case there will be mud. After the caves we follow more or less downward paths until we reach Grasmere. We take the shore path for about half the lake before a final road walk brings us to Grasmere village, the coaches, the shops and the cafes. Weather permitting it will be a good start to Christmas.

14/10/2012 Coach - Keswick via Thirlmere

October

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

Ullscarf and the Central Ridge with Colin Manning

12½ miles (20.1km) with 3000ft (914m) Total Ascent.

Starting from Helmside, just through Grasmere, we head down the lane to a grassy climb up the side of Helm Crag but not actually taking in the summit.

From here we follow the ridge up over Gibson Knott and Calf Crag and on to Greenup Edge. From this point we are likely to encounter boggy ground along the ridge. We now head along the ridge to reach Ullscarf, which at 2382ft/726m, is the highest point of the walk. We then travel off piste over High Saddle, Low Saddle, past Blea Tarn, over shivery Knott and Middle Crag and on to High Tove (1690ft/515m). Continuing along the ridge we reach High Seat (1995ft/608m).

From here a decision will be made, dependant on time factors, to either descend to reach the lake side which we follow back into Keswick or continue on to Bleaberry Fell (1936/590m) where path conditions vastly improve. Climbing over, we now descend to Walla Crag (1243ft/379m), Castlerigg and down into Keswick for the coaches.

Cat Bells with Susan Grierson
10 miles (16km) with 1520ft (463m) Ascent.

Although Dave C had labelled this walk 'Keswick Killer' please don't worry we are merely climbing the familiar "family fell" Cat Bells that we have climbed so often before.

We leave the coaches at Keswick and walk north east through Portinscale following the Cumbria Way to Hawse End where we begin our ascent, climbing Skelgill Bank and on to the summit of Cat Bells, where we can enjoy spectacular views (hopefully) and eat lunch.

After lunch we descend from Cat Bells down Hause Gate back to Hawse End returning to Portinscale via Fawe Park on the Cumbria Way and on into Keswick for refreshments and the coaches.

Bells slowly with Colin Hunt
9 miles (14.5km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent.

Tony is unable to lead this walk so we are going to do Catbells...slowly. We leave the coaches and make our leisurely way along the Cumbria Way, to Portinscale and Hawes End from where we climb Catbells via Skelgill Bank. We descend via Hause Gate then follow the Cumbria Way back into Keswick.

Derwent Dawdle with Alison & Lesley
5¼ miles (8.4km) with 394ft (120m) Ascent.

Our walk begins today from the coach park in Keswick. Walking along the main street (brief stop for toilets), we take the footpath South East passing Castlehead Wood and continuing through Springs Wood. This is a gradual slow climb and on a good day there will be beautiful views of the valley.

Turning South West we then enter Great Wood from which we descend to cross Borrowdale Road. This brings us to the shores of Derwent Water and from here we will follow the waters edge North West, passing The Ings, Friars Crag, and the Boat House. Turning West at the Theatre we then follow the path around Town Cass back to the coach park. This is a leisurely walk with beautiful scenery and the paths are good.

10/06/2012 Coach - Braithwaite via Lorton

 

June

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

Barf to Lorton Fells with Val Walmsley
13¼ miles (21km) with 3165ft (965m) Total Ascent.

Starting from Powter How we make the steep ascent of Barf then move on to Lord's Seat and Broom Fell. Next we move on to Scawgill Bridge via Widow Hause taking in Greystones and passing through Darling How Plantation. Forest tracks lead on to Whinlatter Top from where more track searching will get us through Whinlatter Forest Park to return to Braithwaite via Chapel Beck, Ladstock and Woodlands.

Grisedale Pike with Barry Hayhurst
7½ miles (12km) with 2750ft (838m) Ascent.

We start this walk outside the village along the Whinlatter Pass road, turning off at the "seat" we start a short climb through the one and only gate (sorry Alan) up to the mine road which follows Coledale Beck in the valley bottom up to the Force Crag mine.

Here we cross the Beck via the NEW stepping stones and start the first proper climb of the day along the obvious winding stony path...taking in the views of Low and High Force on the way up to Coledale Hause. The views from here of the valley below which we have just walked are to be savoured. Crossing the Hause along a welcome plateau we make our way to start the climb up to Grisedale Pike, stopping off for a breather on the "subsidiary" summit if not before), we make our way to the summit. The views ALL around...Skiddaw, Solway Firth, Derwent Water and beyond (I could go on and on) are just breath-taking! After soaking all this up it's time to descend; the first section of this stone path is a bit loose but beyond this it's a steady trek down to our starting point.

Applethwaite with Tony Ingham
10 miles (16.1km) with 700ft (214m) Ascent.

From Braithwaite we head north east across low-lying land to reach the banks of the River Derwent, which clearly show the evidence of the 2009 floods at this point. We soon cross the river to Dancing Gate Farm and walk east to the villages of, first, Millbeck and, then, Applethwaite.

Here we turn south through Great Crosthwaite and Portinscale and on to Skelgill via Hawse End. Changing direction again, we cross the Newlands Valley (more dramatic evidence of storm damage) westwards to Stair and Uzzicar. From there we head north to Little Braithwaite and Braithwaite.

Newlands Valley with Derek Lowe
7½ miles (12km) with 500ft (153m) Ascent.

Leaving the coaches in Braithwaite we make our way through the campsite to Braithwaite Lodge. We then follow the Newlands Beck until we reach Stair. From here we cross over to Skelgill where we shall have lunch at the foot of Catbells. Lunch over, we follow the Cumbria Way through Overside Wood to Portinscale where we shall have a break at the side of the lake. Afterwards we make our way via field paths back to Braithwaite where liquid refreshments in the local hostelries await. Once more I have booked the weather. Have a good day!

13/05/2012 Coach - Coniston via Newby Bridge

May

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

Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Swirl How & Wetherlam with Val Walmsley

 11.2 miles (18km) with 3133ft (955m)Total Ascent.

Leaving Torver we head north through disused quarries then north west passing waterfalls to join Walna Scar Road (note stone shelter on way)for the ascent of Brown Pike & Buck Pike. We then follow the ridge to the summit of Dow Crag (airy & exposed ) with great views down to Goats Water. We descend to Goats Hawse then take an obvious path to the summit of Coniston Old Man from where Dow Crag looks even more stunning and, on a clear day, the Isle of Man is visible.

Following the escarpment to Brim Fell then down to Levers Hawse we go up Swirl Band to Swirl How. Descending Prison Band we reach the col and go via Keld Gill Head to Wetherlam with a wonderful panorama from the Scafells right round to High Street. We descend via Lower Hows & Red Gill Head and eventually Miners Bridge back to Coniston.

Dow Crag with Barry Mather
 8miles (12.9km) with 2300ft (701m) Ascent.

We leave the coach at Torver and start a gradual ascent to the Walna Scar Road passing a disused quarry on the way. We then ascend the Walna Scar Road leaving it at the col and after a steep climb to Brown Pike follow the ridge to Buck Pike and on to Dow Crag.

Hopefully we should have good views of Coniston and the surrounding fells. We then make a steep descent to Goats Water then a more gradual path brings us back to the Walna Scar Road which we follow to Coniston passing Boo Tarn on the way.

Tover & back with Dave Tilleray
10½ miles (16.9km) with 400ft (122m) Ascent.

From the car park in Coniston we make our way to Bowmanstead then on to Park Coppice. From here we go to Hoathwaite Farm and then Bracken Barrow Farm – the highest point of the walk.

We now have a choice: either to go into Torver for toilets, coffee or a pint or to carry straight on to Moor Farm. We continue to Mill Bridge and out onto Torver Common before returning, along the lake shore path, to Coniston where the coaches (and hostelries) await.

Tover Beck & Back with Roy Smith
 6 miles (9.7km) with 450ft (137m) Ascent.

Starting from Coniston we make our way to Haws Bank on the A593. From this point we break off south west, and follow well marked tracks that take us gradually uphill towards Torver Beck. During this part of the walk we are afforded fine views of Coniston Water.

In due course we arrive at Torver Beck, having completed all our climbing for the day. We now commence our descent, initially along the side of Torver Beck, eventually moving away from the beck to emerge once again on the A593, at Little Arrow. A short walk along the disused railway takes us to the path that leads through Torver Common Wood and down to Coniston Water. Our walk continues alongside the lake, eventually returning us to the finish at Coniston.

05/02/2012 Coach Ilkley via Skipton

 

February

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

Beamsley Beacon with Dave Colbert
12 miles (19km) with 1770ft (540m) Total Ascent.

Please note that if it is windy, this walk may not be suitable for any club members who follow the fortunes of Stockport County.

From Addingham we cross the Wharfe and tackle Beamsley Beacon head on, following the well-defined ridge to Round Hill, at 409m/1,342ft the highest point of the walk and a tad higher than t’moor opposite. The lengthy descent from Little Gate along Lippersley Ridge leads to Ellarcarr Pike, from where a meandering route by way of Dunkirk, Smithy Lane and West Park Wood will hopefully bring us to the settlement of Middleton and a short descent to re-cross the Wharfe at Ilkley.

Addingham High Moor with Dave Thornton
10 miles (16km) with 1132ft (345m) Total Ascent.

Starting in Ilkley we first go south along the Dales Way Link until we meet the Milennium Way which we follow westwards past the Swastika Stone, thought to be of Bronze Age origin.

Turning south on Long Ridge End, a part of Addingham High Moor, we walk to the edge of the forest and then turn south east along a 'not so dry' path to West Buck Stones. We continue to the Wireless Station at Whetstone Gate and then along a newly constructed path to the highest point on Ilkley Moor at 402m/1319ft.

We return to Ilkley via the 12 Apostles Stone Circle and the Cow and Calf rocks.

Ebor Way with Chris Cook
9miles (14.5km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent.

We climb southwards out of Ilkley then, once we have left the town behind, pick up the Ebor / Dales Way which we follow along the ridge, with views over the River Wharfe, until we reach the Millennium Way. We now turn westwards over Burley Moor and follow the Millennium Way to Horncliffe.

From here we make for the Dales Way Link and head back into Ilkley.

Dales Way with Joyce Bradbury
6.3miles (10.1km) with 230ft (70m) Total Ascent.

The Dales Way is some 84 miles long, from Ilkley to Bowness, mainly along river valleys; the C walk is a short section from Lobwood House to Ilkley in the other direction.

We begin our walk just past the Chelker Reservoir on the A65: no toilets apart from alfresco I’m afraid. We set off on field paths more or less on the level before descending steeply (450 ft /137m) to Lobwood House. Here we join the Dales Way which we follow all the way to Ilkley along the River Wharfe. The route is mainly flat with three short stepped rises to add interest! The ground was frozen solid during the recce so there may well be mud in places. There are some lovely views and several stiles – all well maintained. You may see crocuses, snowdrops and even a beach – we did!