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